【Third Update: Demonstration Schedule Released】Japan's Only Comprehensive Underwater Drone Event 'OceanBiz' to be Held in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture! Visitor Registration Now Open

The Japan Underwater Drone Association (Headquarters: Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yasuhiro Kobayashi; Operational Secretariat: Space One Co., Ltd.) has released the demonstration schedule on its official website as the third update for 'OceanBiz2026 in YAMAGUCHI,' to be held on Friday, August 7, and Saturday, August 8, 2026, at the Iwakuni Marine Environment Testing & Evaluation Satellite (IMETS) in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Group photo of exhibitors from OceanBiz2025 in SHIZUOKA

OceanBiz is Japan's only comprehensive underwater drone event, where companies, research institutions, and local governments involved in underwater drones, aquatic robots, and related products and services gather to showcase their technologies, conduct live demonstrations, and exchange technical knowledge.

Previously held in Shizuoka Prefecture, OceanBiz will expand in 2026 to include a new venue in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

This Yamaguchi edition marks the first time the event is being held in western Japan.

Businesses, local governments, researchers, educators, students, and individuals from the Chugoku region, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and across western Japan are all welcome to attend.

Attendance is free and requires prior registration.

Please check the demonstration schedule and visit the venue.

Visitor Registration URL: https://eventregist.com/e/iotd2026

Official Special Website: https://japan-underwaterdrone.com/oceanbiz2026-yamaguchi/

Demonstration Schedule Now Public on Official Website

During the two-day event, OceanBiz2026 in YAMAGUCHI will feature live demonstrations of underwater drones and aquatic robots.

The newly released demonstration schedule allows visitors to view each exhibitor's demo timing. Details of each organization's exhibits and demonstrations are also available on the website.

Seeing underwater drones and aquatic robots in action enables attendees to understand operational feel, vehicle movement, underwater video quality, and real-world application scenarios—details that are difficult to grasp from catalogs or videos alone.

This event offers valuable opportunities for everyone—from those new to underwater technology to businesses, local governments, and research institutions actively considering adoption and implementation.

Day 1: August 7 (Fri) Demonstration Schedule Day 2: August 8 (Sat) Demonstration Schedule

Why Hold the Event in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi?

The Yamaguchi edition represents a significant expansion for OceanBiz, marking its first launch in western Japan.

The Chugoku region and western Japan host numerous fields where underwater technology can be applied—ports, fishing harbors, rivers, dams, ships, marine surveys, disaster prevention, infrastructure maintenance, education, and research.

The venue, Iwakuni Marine Environment Testing & Evaluation Satellite (IMETS), offers an ideal setting for exhibiting and demonstrating underwater drones, aquatic robots, and marine technologies.

Exterior view of IMETS venue IMETS large water tank at the venue

OceanBiz2026 in YAMAGUCHI will serve as a platform to showcase underwater technology from Iwakuni, Yamaguchi, promoting awareness, knowledge, and consultation opportunities, and supporting the adoption and utilization of underwater drones and aquatic robots across western Japan.

Two Days to See, Compare, and Consult on Underwater Technology

The event will gather diverse technologies applicable to underwater and aquatic fields, including underwater drones, ROVs, ASVs, AUVs, underwater cameras, underwater positioning systems, image processing, marine surveys, and inspection of ports, fishing harbors, rivers, dams, and ships.

View of demonstration at OceanBiz2025 in SHIZUOKA Exhibition interactions at OceanBiz2025 in SHIZUOKA

Visitors can confirm the following through exhibitions and live demos:

- Real-world size and handling feel of underwater drones and robots - Movement in water and underwater camera image quality - Differences among ROVs, ASVs, AUVs, and other aquatic robotics - Practical application scenarios for port, fishing harbor, river, dam, and ship inspections - Potential uses in disaster prevention, research, education, and talent development - Points of contact for consultation on adoption and operation

The ability to directly consult with exhibitors while viewing actual products and technologies is a major highlight of OceanBiz.

Enjoy Concurrent Events: 'Iwakuni Ocean Tech Days 2026'

Iwakuni Ocean Tech 2026 Event Flyer

OceanBiz2026 in YAMAGUCHI will be co-hosted and linked with the '11th Underwater Robot Festival' and 'Underwater Science Classroom,' collectively branded as 'Iwakuni Ocean Tech Days 2026.'

In addition to exhibitions and live demos by companies, research institutions, and local governments, student underwater robot competitions and science experiences for children will also be held.

These two days will allow not only industry professionals but also students, families, and local residents to engage with underwater robots and marine technology.

Media Coverage Welcome

OceanBiz2026 in YAMAGUCHI is the first comprehensive underwater drone event in western Japan.

At the venue, media can observe a wide range of underwater technology initiatives, including exhibitions and live demos of underwater drones and robots, technical presentations by companies, research institutions, and local governments, student competitions, and science experiences for children.

Media are encouraged to cover the event from the following angles:

- Japan's only comprehensive underwater drone event expands to Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture - First-time launch of OceanBiz in western Japan - Latest trends in aquatic robotics, including underwater drones, ROVs, ASVs, and AUVs - Applications of underwater technology in ports, fishing harbors, dams, rivers, ships, and disaster prevention - Marine technology, education, and talent development initiatives in Yamaguchi Prefecture and Iwakuni City - Concurrent programs allowing students and children to interact with underwater robots

We warmly welcome media from the Chugoku region, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and western Japan to attend and cover the event.

Event Overview

Name: OceanBiz2026 in YAMAGUCHI Dates: August 7 (Fri) – 8 (Sat), 2026 Time: 10:00 – 16:00 *Demonstrations scheduled from 11:00 to 15:00 Venue: Iwakuni Marine Environment Testing & Evaluation Satellite (IMETS) (1805-1 Nagano, Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture) Organizer: Japan Underwater Drone Association Co-organizers: Yamaguchi Prefecture, Iwakuni City Supporters: Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), Yamaguchi Prefectural Board of Education, Iwakuni City Board of Education Admission: Free Registration: Required in advance Visitor Registration URL: https://eventregist.com/e/iotd2026 Content: Exhibitions, live demonstrations, and technical exchanges on underwater drones, aquatic robots, and marine technologies Concurrent Events: 11th Underwater Robot Festival, Underwater Science Classroom

Special Website: https://japan-underwaterdrone.com/oceanbiz2026-yamaguchi/

About the Japan Underwater Drone Association

The Japan Underwater Drone Association is an organization dedicated to promoting the safe and practical use of underwater drones and expanding the market.

Through initiatives such as training underwater drone safety pilots, operating certified schools, collaborating with businesses, local governments, and educational institutions, and organizing events, workshops, and information dissemination, the association works to enhance practical applications and improve the ecosystem for underwater drone utilization.