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Interview with Masata Kaneda, Representative Director: "I want to create something thrilling that no one has ever seen before."
Our company changed its name to "Hama Co., Ltd." on May 5, 2025. However, the old company name, "Space Entertainment Laboratory Co., Ltd. (SEL) is still used in the text.
"I loved science fiction movies and wanted to become a film director."
What made you start SEL?
"I wanted to become a science fiction film director, so I went to college to study film. After graduating, I worked at music and TV production companies. However, I couldn't forget the rocket launch I saw in Tanegashima during my university days. I joined Japan's first private planetary exploration project, “HAKUTO,” as a pro bono contributor. Initially, I helped with video production but gradually became involved in engineering and organizational management. When the organization was incorporated, I became a board member.
I eventually became interested in "using space for entertainment," such as holding music concerts on the moon. I co-founded Space Entertainment Laboratory Co., Ltd. with the satellite team.
In the early days of SEL, we used stratospheric balloons to transport video units. We created space advertisements for the automobile manufacturer Audi, using space and Earth as the backdrop. We also conducted research on "space mixed martial arts." We also explored using satellites and multi-rotor drones for agriculture and sensing, but multi-rotor drones simply cannot fly for long periods or over long distances.
Therefore, we wanted to develop fixed-wing aircraft. However, in Japan, there are few wide open spaces, and securing a runway is extremely difficult. However, since waterfront areas such as rivers, lakes, and seas are abundant in Japan, we began developing the "HAMADORI," a flying boat drone that takes off and lands on water.
What challenges did we face in developing the HAMADORI?
At first, my daily routine consisted of experimenting with prototypes in my garage, flying them, and repeating the process after failures. Gradually, however, talented engineers began to take an interest and assist us. This led to the creation of the HAMADORI, a unique amphibious flying boat drone that is unmatched anywhere in the world. The ocean is a harsh environment with waves and saltwater, though, so durability and waterproofing are constant challenges.
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What are the potential applications for the HAMADORI?
Because it can take off and land on water, we envision it primarily being used for marine surveys. Traditionally, marine surveys required a large number of personnel and took a long time to conduct by ship. With HAMADORI, however, surveys can be conducted more frequently and with greater precision. Specifically, HAMADORI can sense the sea surface from the air to improve fishing efficiency, monitor remote islands and foreign fishing vessels, and facilitate logistics for remote islands.
Recently, we have also received inquiries about its potential use in preliminary environmental assessments prior to the construction of offshore wind power generation equipment, post-construction inspections, and searching for debris from space rocket experiments. We hope that HAMADORI will be used for a wide range of marine survey needs.
HAMADORI's development and our aspirations for space were featured in detail on TV Tokyo's "The Stairway to Exploration" in July 2022.
TV Tokyo's "The Stairway to Exploration"
Additionally, the large-scale "HAMADORI6000," which is currently under development, aims to operate for eight hours. It can be equipped with various survey instruments, enabling applications across a wide range of fields, including seabed assessment. In 2022, HAMADORI6000 successfully conducted a communication ranging experiment with a base station located 1,300 meters below the sea surface.
Why did SEL move its headquarters from Tokyo to Minamisoma?
SEL moved its headquarters from Tokyo to Minamisoma, located in Fukushima Prefecture, in 2022. Securing experimental sites in the Tokyo metropolitan area is challenging. In contrast, Minamisoma offers a well-developed experimental environment and a supportive administrative framework. The Fukushima Robot Test Field is nearby, and the local government provides one-stop support. Few other locations allow for the rapid conduct of flight experiments, verification, and improvements.
What kind of people do you think are suited to working at SEL?
At SEL, we handle all processes in-house, including aircraft design, prototyping, flight control software development, and aircraft manufacturing. This is an enjoyable environment for people dissatisfied with specialized work within large-scale projects or who want a more comprehensive development perspective.
Prototypes, in particular, are handmade by the staff. We want to work with people interested in learning about areas outside their expertise, who can discuss ideas with colleagues to advance development, and who enjoy creating things.
I'm concerned about benefits and social insurance at a venture company.
That's actually a point we want to address, so we ensure that salaries are not lower than at previous jobs. Social insurance is also fully covered. Staff who have transferred from large companies say they feel reassured about benefits and social insurance.
What kind of year do you want 2023 to be?
This year, we plan to participate in air shows and international conferences overseas. We want more people to learn about our flying boat-type drone, the HAMADORI, and use it for marine research and exploration, an area with many unknowns.
Finally, please share a message with those interested in SEL.
We are seeking individuals with expertise in aerodynamics, mechanical design, electrical engineering, structural design, and embedded software development. We are looking for people who can apply their knowledge to practical applications and enjoy creating something new. If you want to apply your university or graduate school research, as well as your corporate experience, to create something exciting, please reach out to us.
We are open to conducting casual online interviews or inviting you to visit Minamisoma to observe our experiments. Please do not hesitate to contact us.