SoftBank Corp. Achieves Japan's First HAPS Trial Service in Preparation for Commercialization

SoftBank Corp. (President & CEO: Junichi Miyakawa, "SoftBank") and U.S.-based Sceye, Inc. (Founder and CEO: Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen, "Sceye") announced they successfully provided trial services in preparation for the commercialization of HAPS in Japan using Sceye's LTA (Lighter Than Air)-type*1 High Altitude Platform Station ("HAPS"). This achievement marks the first successful stratospheric-based communications test in Japan using a HAPS in Japan's airspace.*2

*1：An LTA (Lighter Than Air)-type HAPS is a lighter-than-air platform that uses buoyancy to remain aloft.
*2：This marks the first successful communications test in Japan between a HAPS and smartphones, as well as between a HAPS and drones. Based on publicly available information as of August 23, 2026 (according to SoftBank research).

Read the full press release here.
https://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/news/press/sbkk/2026/20260902_01/