- Queensland aerospace company Stralis signs aviation deal with Akita University at Expo 2025 Osaka
- The partnership will fast-track hydrogen-electric aircraft development and aviation workforce training
- Senior Minister leads largest Queensland Education, Research & Innovation delegation to Japan, underpinned by newly-released Queensland-Japan Trade and Investment Strategy 2025-2028
Queensland, AU, Aug 1, 2025 - (JCN Newswire) - In a landmark step for international clean aviation collaboration, Queensland aerospace innovator Stralis Aircraft has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Joint Research Center for Electric Architecture at Akita University and Akita Prefectural University at EXPO 2025 Osaka.
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| MOU Signing Ceremony at the Australia Pavilion, Osaka Expo. From left: Junichi Sakaki, Director of the Joint Research Center for Electrification Architecture, Akita U., Hon. Ros Bates, Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, Queensland, Australia, and Bob Criner, Co-founder and CEO of Stralis Aircraft. [July 17, 2025] |
The MoU was signed in the presence of Queensland Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, The Hon. Ros Bates MP, as part of the Queensland Government's flagship international trade mission to Japan.
"Stralis is a great example of how Queensland businesses can lead the world in clean aviation technology. We're backing them to scale, export and grow jobs," Minister Batessaid. "It's not just an MoU - it's a runway for clean technology, innovation, and workforce development between Queensland and Japan."
Under the agreement, Stralis will test its hydrogen-electric propulsion components at one of Japan's most advanced electric aircraft testbeds, operated by the Join Research Centre for Electric Architecture in Akita's state-of-the-art all-electric aircraft testbed, one of the most sophisticated of its kind in Japan.
The deal will also support new training and skills pathways for future aviation engineers and technicians, backed by industry and academic partnerships.
Stralis' proprietary hydrogen-electric system is six times lighter than existing fuel cell solutions, enabling hydrogen aircraft to fly ten times further than battery-electric alternatives, at half the cost of fossil fuel-powered planes.
The signing took place during a dedicated International Education, Research and Innovation (ERI) Showcase hosted by Minister Bates at the Australia Pavilion, where Queensland is a Gold Partner at EXPO 2025.
Stralis' proprietary hydrogen-electric system is six times lighter than existing fuel cell solutions, enabling hydrogen aircraft to fly ten times further than battery-electric alternatives, at half the cost of fossil fuel-powered planes.
"I'm extremely excited to begin our collaboration with this world class team and facility in Akita," said Bob Criner, Co-Founder and CEO of Stralis. "Japan has been a global leader in aerospace and hydrogen innovation for decades. This partnership will accelerate our hydrogen aircraft technology development and facilitate skills and knowledge exchange between our organisations."
"It will also allow Stralis to create cutting edge research and innovation jobs in Queensland, where our workforce is prepared to manufacture and export advanced aircraft technology in the future."
"We are pleased to sign this MoU with Stralis," said Junichi Sakaki, Director, Joint Research Center for Electric Architecture, Akita University / Akita Prefectural University. "This collaboration in aircraft system electrification, using our testing facilities in Akita, represents a meaningful step in international technological cooperation. We look forward to contributing to both talent development and a more sustainable future."
Supported by Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) Japan, Stralis has been in high-level discussions with Japanese aerospace firms, aligned with Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and its 2035 target to commercialise decarbonised passenger aircraft.
Stralis is also planning to fly its Bonanza A36 hydrogen-electric demonstration aircraft in Japan in late 2026, showcasing the commercial and environmental viability of its technology.
This agreement adds momentum to Queensland's broader trade mission in Japan, which is focused on expanding partnerships in International Education, Research and Innovation, and advanced manufacturing, in line with Australia's international Trade and Investment Strategy 2025-2028, announced earlier this month, which places innovation-led collaboration at the core of the Queensland-Japan relationship.
Contact:
Minister Bates' Media Contact: Illka Gobius, Pinpont PR, illka@pinpointpr.sk
Stralis Media Contact: https://stralis.aero
Dr Emma Whittlesea, Stralis, Head of Partnerships, ew@stralis.aero
Bob Criner, Co-Founder & CEO, Stralis Aircraft, bc@stralis.aero
Source: Trade+Investment Queensland
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