Legal and Regulatory Framework for Drone (UAV) Operation in Japan
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/15th December 2016, DRONE MARKET WATCHTM/ Main stakeholders responsible for drone (UAV) flight regulation in Japan is the Civil Aviation Bureau, which is subordinated to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Main regulation documents affecting drone (UAV) flights in Japan are Civil Aeronautics Act and Civil Code. At the moment Japan UAS Industrial Development Association (JUIDA) is currently working with the Japanese government to establish systems for operator licensing, business registration, and production and sales registration.
Until such time, JUIDA is preparing voluntary measures. JUIDA will also jointly develop the first map application service for supporting the flight of drones ever in Japan with Zenrin & Blue Innovation. The government of Japan moved to regulate drone (UAV) flights after a drone (UAV) carrying a small amount of radioactive material was found on the roof of the prime minister’s office in April 2015. The man who operated the drone was arrested on suspicion of forcible obstruction of business and interfering with the operations of the prime minister’s office.
New regulations on the flights of drones and other unmanned aircraft have taken effect in December 2015, despite concerns over the impact on hobbyists and fears that restrictions may hamper innovation in the emerging sector. Changes to the Civil Aeronautics Law, passed by the Diet in September, will ban flights of drones weighing 200 grams or more in crowded residential areas, at altitudes 150 meters or more above the ground, and near airports. The transport ministry can grant operators exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
The designation “crowded residential areas” covers large swaths of areas in major cities, including all of Tokyo’s 23 wards. This means operators will be severely restricted from flying drones and even toy aircraft in such areas. The restrictions also require operators to keep their craft at least 30 meters from people, buildings and cars, and bans them from locations where large crowds are present, such as at festivals and exhibitions. Violators may be punished with a fine of up to ¥500,000. The law will permit the use of drones for emergency purposes, such as manhunts and the search of land by ambulance staff and the Self-Defense Forces.
Main rules obligatory for drone (UAV) flights in Japan are as follows:
- You must fly your drone (UAV) below 150 meters altitude;
- You must fly your drone (UAV) at least 9Km away from airports;
- You must not fly your drone (UAV) over crowds;
- You must stay away from all power lines;
- In accordance with the road transport law you are not allowed to fly your drone (UAV) over any roads;
- In accordance with the land property law you are not allowed to fly over any property without permission from the owner;
- Osaka and Tokyo have banned drone (UAV) use in all parks within the city limits;
- It is illegal to fly your drone (UAV) over the Prime Minister’s office, imperial palace, airports and key facilities such as nuclear power plants;
- There are currently several proposed drone (UAV) laws within the Japanese government but currently the only laws that apply are those listed above.
