# Drone laws in Japan

> Structured, citation-backed drone regulation information for Japan, published by Drone Assistant from official sources. Every claim below links to the official material it came from. This is not legal advice, coverage is not exhaustive, and the linked official source governs.

> Limited guide. Drone Assistant's coverage of Japan is still under review, so this page summarises only the published rules we can cite to an official source. It is not a complete statement of Japan's drone law; check the linked sources or ask the assistant about your own flight.

Canonical page: [https://droneassistant.com/drone-laws/japan](https://droneassistant.com/drone-laws/japan)

This Markdown file is a machine-readable representation of that page. It is generated from the same published data; it is not a separate content source.

## Regulatory framework

- Jurisdiction: Japan
- Responsible aviation authority: [Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism — Civil Aviation Bureau (MLIT/JCAB)](https://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/)
- Framework type: standalone national framework
- Published rules held for this jurisdiction: 461

Japan operates a standalone national framework: the rules below are set nationally.

Legal status is stated for every rule below: binding law, AMC/GM (acceptable means of compliance and guidance material), authority guidance or other non-binding material. Guidance is never a statutory maximum in itself.

## Registration and pilot requirements

### Registration

- Question: Do I need to register my drone in Japan?
- Answer state: Conditional
- Scope: Whether a drone or its operator must be registered before flying, and under which threshold.

Registration in Japan depends on the aircraft and the operation: it applies once the published conditions below are met, each cited to the rule that sets it.

Rules behind this answer:

- **Agent Authorization Document for Registration** (Article 236-3) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. If the registration application is submitted by an agent, a document proving the agent's authority must be attached to the application. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Application for Deletion of Aircraft Registration** (Article 236-11) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. An owner who intends to apply for the deletion of an unmanned aircraft registration pursuant to Article 132-11, paragraph (1) of the Act must submit an application to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism containing the registration mark, owner's name/title and address, agent's details (if applicable), date of application, reason for deletion and its occurrence date, and other necessary matters. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Application for Deletion of Unmanned Aircraft Registration** (Article 132-11) — binding law; national rule; Primary legislation — binding law. The owner of a registered unmanned aircraft must apply for the deletion of its registration within 15 days from the day on which the aircraft is lost or destroyed, dismantled (excluding dismantling for maintenance, modification, transport, or storage), has been missing for two months, or no longer qualifies as an unmanned aircraft. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327AC0000000231)
- **Application for Renewal of Unmanned Aircraft Registration** (Article 236-7) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person who intends to renew an unmanned aircraft registration under Article 132-6, paragraph (1) of the Act must submit an application to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism containing the registration mark, owner's name/appellation and address, agent's details (if applicable), user's name/appellation and address, date of application, and other matters deemed necessary by the Minister. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Application for Test Pass Certificate** (Article 236-38) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. An applicant applying under Article 236-50(1) for a Test Pass Certificate (試験合格証明書) must submit the application form to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism with: (1) a copy of the physical examination pass certificate under Article 236-50(2); (2) a copy of the academic examination pass certificate under Article 236-50(3) — or, where exempted from the academic examination under Article 132-50 of the Act, a copy of the completion certificate issued by a registered training body and the competency certificate return certificate under Article 236-68(4), or, where the academic examination is omitted under Article 236-51(2), a copy of the competency certificate; and (3) a copy of the practical examination pass certificate under Article 236-50(4) — or, where exempted from the practical examination under Article 132-50 of the Act, a copy of the completion certificate issued by a registered training body, or, where the practical examination is omitted for all subjects under Article 236-52, a copy of the competency certificate. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Application Procedure for Approval of Non-Standard Flight Methods** (Article 236-81) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person seeking approval to operate an unmanned aircraft without complying with the prescribed flight methods under Article 132-86, Paragraph 3 or Paragraph 5, Item 2 of the Act must submit an application to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism containing the specified details, including applicant information, registration mark, flight details, reasons for non-compliance, certification/license numbers (or equivalent capabilities), safety management structure, and risk assessment measures (if applicable). [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Application Procedure for Flight Permission in Prohibited Airspace** (Article 236-74) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. An operator seeking permission to fly an unmanned aircraft in prohibited airspace under Article 132-85, Paragraph 2 or Paragraph 4, Item 2 of the Act must submit an application to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism containing the specified details, including operator contact information, registration mark, flight details, reason for flight, airworthiness certification details, pilot competency details, safety management structure, and risk assessment measures (if applicable). [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Application Procedure for Registration Renewal** (Article 132-6) — binding law; national rule; Primary legislation — binding law. The application procedures and grounds for refusal of registration under Article 132-4, paragraphs (2) and (3) apply mutatis mutandis to the renewal of unmanned aircraft registration. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327AC0000000231)

Limitations of this coverage:

- Binding law and official guidance disagree on registration.display_identifier; the binding position is published.
- 2 dimension(s) of this topic are not expressed in a machine-resolvable way by the published corpus and are reported UNKNOWN, never FALSE.

Last verified: 2026-10-03.

### Remote identification

- Question: Do I need Remote ID in Japan?
- Answer state: Conditional
- Scope: Whether aircraft must carry or broadcast an electronic identity, and in which form.

Remote identification in Japan is tied to the aircraft and the operating category: the published triggers below decide whether a flight must carry or broadcast an electronic identity.

Rules behind this answer:

- **Alternative Identification Measures via Remote ID** (Article 236-17) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. The measures to identify that an unmanned aircraft has received certification, as an alternative to physical display, shall be equipping the unmanned aircraft with a Remote ID function (リモートＩＤ機能) or other equivalent measures. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Drone Registration Application Information** (Article 236-3) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. An applicant seeking to register an unmanned aircraft must submit an application form to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism containing specified details, including the aircraft's type, model, manufacturer, serial number, owner and user information, weight category (under 25 kg or 25 kg and over), modification status, and Remote ID capability. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Notification Procedure for Remote ID-Exempt Area Flights** (Article 236-6) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person intending to notify the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of a Remote ID-exempt flight area must submit a written notification containing their contact details, the aircraft's registration mark, and the date, time, area, and altitude of the flight. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Obligation of Maintenance and Modification by the User** (Article 132-7) — binding law; national rule; Primary legislation — binding law. The user of a registered unmanned aircraft must maintain and, if necessary, modify the aircraft to ensure it does not become ineligible for registration under Article 132-3 or fail to comply with the Remote ID measures required under Article 132-5, Paragraph 1. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327AC0000000231)
- **Penalty for Registration Violations** (Article 157-9) — binding law; national rule; Primary legislation — binding law. A fine of up to 500,000 yen shall be imposed on any person who operates a registered unmanned aircraft in violation of registration display or Remote ID requirements (Article 132-5, Paragraph 2), or in violation of a rectification order (Article 132-9, Item 1). [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327AC0000000231)
- **Pre-flight Confirmation Matters** (Article 236-77) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person who operates an unmanned aircraft must confirm the status of the aircraft, the airspace and surrounding conditions, meteorological information, fuel or battery levels, and the operational status of the Remote ID function (except for flights exempt from Remote ID requirements) before flight. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Pre-flight External and Operational Inspections** (Article 236-77) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. When confirming the status of the unmanned aircraft and the Remote ID function, the operator must perform external and operational inspections of the aircraft, including any external Remote ID device if equipped. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Remote ID Equipment Obligation** (Article 236-6) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. The owner of a registered unmanned aircraft must equip the aircraft with a Remote ID function, either built-in or via an external device, and input the registration mark and other required information in accordance with the standards set by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)

Limitations of this coverage:

- Binding law and official guidance disagree on remote_id.operation_scope; the binding position is published.
- Binding law and official guidance disagree on remote_id.required; the binding position is published.
- 3 dimension(s) of this topic are not expressed in a machine-resolvable way by the published corpus and are reported UNKNOWN, never FALSE.

Last verified: 2026-08-31.

### Remote pilot competency

- Question: What training do I need to fly a drone in Japan?
- Answer state: Conditional
- Scope: What training, examination or proof of competency a remote pilot must hold.

Remote pilot competency in Japan scales with the operation: which training, examination or proof of competency applies is set by the published conditions below.

Rules behind this answer:

- **Academic Exam Application** (Article 236-38) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. An applicant wishing to take the academic exam (学科試験) for a Remote Pilot Competency Certificate must submit an academic exam application form containing their confirmation number (確認番号) to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) or the designated testing agency. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Alignment of Validity Period Commencement Dates for Multiple Ratings** (Article 236-58) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person who simultaneously applies to renew the validity period of an Unmanned Aircraft Pilot Certificate (無人航空機操縦者技能証明) with limitations for two or more categories may apply to align the commencement dates of the renewed validity periods to the earliest of those dates. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Application for Change of Limitations on Competency Certificate** (Article 236-60) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person who intends to apply for a change of limitations on their Remote Pilot Competency Certificate (無人航空機操縦者技能証明) must submit an application for change of limitations on competency certificate (技能証明限定変更申請書) to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Application for Change of Pilot Certificate Limitations** (Article 132-52) — binding law; national rule; Primary legislation — binding law. A person who holds an unmanned aircraft pilot certificate (技能証明) with limitations may apply to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to change or remove those limitations. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327AC0000000231)
- **Application for Competency Certificate Issuance and 2-Year Deadline** (Article 236-38) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. An applicant who has passed the exams must apply for the issuance of the Remote Pilot Competency Certificate (無人航空機操縦者技能証明書) within two years from the date of issuance of the academic exam pass certificate, by submitting an application form containing their confirmation number along with the Test Pass Certificate. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Application for Examination Pass Certificate** (Article 236-50) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. The Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism shall issue an Examination Pass Certificate (試験合格証明書) to a person who has passed the examination, upon their application. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Application for Modification of Competency Certificate Conditions** (Article 236-40-2) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person who wishes to modify the conditions attached to their Unmanned Aircraft Pilot Competency Certificate (無人航空機操縦者技能証明) must submit an Application for Modification of Competency Certificate Conditions (技能証明条件変更申請書) to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Application for Reissuance of Competency Certificate** (Article 236-67) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A remote pilot who wishes to apply for the reissuance of their competency certificate (技能証明書) due to loss, damage, or a change in address or name must submit an application for reissuance of the competency certificate (技能証明書再交付申請書) to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)

Limitations of this coverage:

- 2 dimension(s) of this topic are not expressed in a machine-resolvable way by the published corpus and are reported UNKNOWN, never FALSE.

Last verified: 2026-08-31.

## Operating rules

### Night operations

- Question: Can I fly a drone at night in Japan?
- Answer state: Conditional
- Scope: Whether flying at night is allowed, and which lighting or authorisation applies.

Night flying in Japan is regulated rather than simply allowed or banned: published lighting, category and authorisation conditions below decide whether a given flight may take place after dark.

Rules behind this answer:

- **Application Procedure for Approval of Non-Standard Flight Methods** (Article 236-81) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person seeking approval to operate an unmanned aircraft without complying with the prescribed flight methods under Article 132-86, Paragraph 3 or Paragraph 5, Item 2 of the Act must submit an application to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism containing the specified details, including applicant information, registration mark, flight details, reasons for non-compliance, certification/license numbers (or equivalent capabilities), safety management structure, and risk assessment measures (if applicable). [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Daylight Flight Requirement** (Article 132-86) — binding law; national rule; Primary legislation — binding law. Unless certified pilots operate certified aircraft (or under specific exemptions/approvals), unmanned aircraft must be flown only between sunrise and sunset. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327AC0000000231)
- **Determination of Certificate Limitations via Practical Exam** (Article 236-40) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. Limitations on the type of unmanned aircraft and flight methods for a pilot competency certificate (技能証明) shall be determined based on the unmanned aircraft used and the flight methods performed during the practical exam (実地試験). [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Exemption for Tethered Flight** (Article 132-86) — binding law; national rule; Primary legislation — binding law. The restrictions in Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 do not apply when flying an unmanned aircraft while tethered to restrict its flight range, or using other safe methods specified by MLIT. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327AC0000000231)
- **Obligation to Carry Pilot Competence Certificate** (Article 132-54) — binding law; national rule; Primary legislation — binding law. A person who has received a pilot competence certificate (技能証明) must carry their pilot competence certificate (技能証明書) when performing a Specified Flight (特定飛行) as prescribed in Article 132-87. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327AC0000000231)
- **Prior Approval for Deviating from Standard Flight Methods** (Article 132-86) — binding law; national rule; Primary legislation — binding law. To fly an unmanned aircraft without complying with the flight methods in Paragraph 2 (or items 4 to 6 if entry control measures are implemented for aircraft under the weight limit), the operator must obtain prior approval from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327AC0000000231)
- **Safety Measures for Deviating from Items 1-3 with Entry Control** (Article 132-86) — binding law; national rule; Primary legislation — binding law. When flying an unmanned aircraft (under the weight limit) without complying with Paragraph 2, items 1 to 3 (daylight, VLOS, distance) while implementing entry control measures, the operator must take safety measures specified by MLIT to ensure aviation and ground safety. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327AC0000000231)
- **Submission of Flight Plan for Specified Flights** (Article 132-88) — binding law; national rule; Primary legislation — binding law. An operator of an unmanned aircraft must submit a flight plan containing the date, time, route, and other matters prescribed by MLIT ordinance to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism prior to conducting a Specified Flight (特定飛行), unless exceptional circumstances prescribed by MLIT ordinance allow for submission after the flight has commenced. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327AC0000000231)

Last verified: 2026-08-31.

### Operational authorisation

- Question: When does a drone operation need authorisation in Japan?
- Answer state: Conditional
- Scope: When an operation needs prior authorisation, and how that authorisation is obtained.

Whether an operation in Japan needs prior authorisation depends on the operational category, risk class or location: the published triggers below decide it.

Published figures:

- Application model: permit (binding law)

Operating categories distinguished by the published rules: level 3.5.

Rules behind this answer:

- **Agent Authorization Document for Registration** (Article 236-3) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. If the registration application is submitted by an agent, a document proving the agent's authority must be attached to the application. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Alternative Identification Measures via Remote ID** (Article 236-17) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. The measures to identify that an unmanned aircraft has received certification, as an alternative to physical display, shall be equipping the unmanned aircraft with a Remote ID function (リモートＩＤ機能) or other equivalent measures. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Application for Aircraft Certification** (Article 236-12) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. Any person who intends to apply for Aircraft Certification (機体認証) under Article 132-13, Paragraph 1 of the Act must submit an application for aircraft certification to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Application for Change of Type Certification** (Article 236-29) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person who intends to obtain approval for a change to a Type Certification (型式認証) under Article 132-17, paragraph (1) of the Act must submit an application for change of type design/manufacturing process (型式設計・製造過程変更申請書) along with attached documents describing the changes to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Application Procedure for Approval of Non-Standard Flight Methods** (Article 236-81) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. A person seeking approval to operate an unmanned aircraft without complying with the prescribed flight methods under Article 132-86, Paragraph 3 or Paragraph 5, Item 2 of the Act must submit an application to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism containing the specified details, including applicant information, registration mark, flight details, reasons for non-compliance, certification/license numbers (or equivalent capabilities), safety management structure, and risk assessment measures (if applicable). [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Application Procedure for Flight Permission in Prohibited Airspace** (Article 236-74) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. An operator seeking permission to fly an unmanned aircraft in prohibited airspace under Article 132-85, Paragraph 2 or Paragraph 4, Item 2 of the Act must submit an application to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism containing the specified details, including operator contact information, registration mark, flight details, reason for flight, airworthiness certification details, pilot competency details, safety management structure, and risk assessment measures (if applicable). [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Application Procedure for Restricted Activities Affecting Flight** (Article 239-2) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. Any person seeking permission to perform activities that may affect aircraft flight (such as flying a model aircraft under 100 grams in restricted airspace) must submit an application to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism stating their name, address, purpose, details, date, time, location, and other reference information. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Approval for Changes to Design or Manufacturing Process of Type-Certified Unmanned Aircraft** (Article 132-17) — binding law; national rule; Primary legislation — binding law. A person who has obtained a Type Certification (型式認証) must obtain approval from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism before making changes to the design or manufacturing process of the certified type of unmanned aircraft, including when changes are made to comply with updated safety or uniformity standards. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327AC0000000231)

Limitations of this coverage:

- 2 dimension(s) of this topic are not expressed in a machine-resolvable way by the published corpus and are reported UNKNOWN, never FALSE.

Last verified: 2026-08-31.

### Beyond visual line of sight

- Question: Is BVLOS drone flight allowed in Japan?
- Answer state: Conditional
- Scope: Whether flight beyond visual line of sight is legally available, and by which pathway.

BVLOS in Japan runs through a defined authorisation pathway rather than an open permission: the published conditions below set out what that pathway requires.

Published figures:

- Authorisation type: exemption (binding law)

Rules behind this answer:

- **Exemption for Tethered Flight** (Article 132-86) — binding law; national rule; Primary legislation — binding law. The restrictions in Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 do not apply when flying an unmanned aircraft while tethered to restrict its flight range, or using other safe methods specified by MLIT. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327AC0000000231)
- **Obligation to Carry Pilot Competence Certificate** (Article 132-54) — binding law; national rule; Primary legislation — binding law. A person who has received a pilot competence certificate (技能証明) must carry their pilot competence certificate (技能証明書) when performing a Specified Flight (特定飛行) as prescribed in Article 132-87. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327AC0000000231)
- **Submission of Flight Plan for Specified Flights** (Article 132-88) — binding law; national rule; Primary legislation — binding law. An operator of an unmanned aircraft must submit a flight plan containing the date, time, route, and other matters prescribed by MLIT ordinance to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism prior to conducting a Specified Flight (特定飛行), unless exceptional circumstances prescribed by MLIT ordinance allow for submission after the flight has commenced. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327AC0000000231)
- **Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) Requirement** (Article 132-86) — binding law; national rule; Primary legislation — binding law. Unless certified pilots operate certified aircraft (or under specific exemptions/approvals), the operator must constantly monitor the unmanned aircraft and its surroundings with their own eyes. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327AC0000000231)
- **Written Exam Exemption for Existing License Holders or Limitation Changes** (Article 236-51) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. When a person holding a competency certificate applies for a different qualification or a change in certificate limitations (技能証明の限定の変更), they may be exempted from the written examination upon application if the exam is identical to the one already passed and is recognized by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as equivalent or higher. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Japan: route rules for Category II beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights without observers, including sufficient safety measures where a route over densely populated areas is unavoidable** (5-4(3)c)ア) — guidance / non-binding material; national rule; Authority guidance — not binding law. Under MLIT's review guideline for Category II flight permissions and approvals (last amended 29 September 2026), section 5-4(3)c)ア, this is a route-setting criterion that MLIT applies to Category II permission/approval applications for beyond-visual-line-of-sight flight without assistants (observers). The criteria in 5-4(3)c) do not apply where third-party entry can be restricted by the method shown in section 4-3-2(3)b). The flight route must be set over places where third parties are unlikely to be present (mountains, sea areas, rivers and lakes, forests, agricultural land, golf courses or similar). Only where unavoidable in setting the route may it include (i) flight crossing roads or railways with low traffic, excluding trunk roads, trunk railways and roads or railways in urban areas (this crossing limit does not apply where the road or railway manager operates or cooperates in the flight), and (ii) temporary flight over houses. Where a route over an area where people or houses are concentrated is unavoidably set, sufficient safety measures to prevent harm to third parties and property must be taken. This criterion is not a standalone permission to fly over people; the guideline's other applicable requirements still apply. [Official source](https://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/content/001866503.pdf)
- **Prior Coordination with Manned Aviation Organizations** (3-3 (7) ウ) — guidance / non-binding material; national rule; Authority guidance — not binding law. JCAB requires operators conducting Level 3.5 BVLOS flights to contact manned aviation organizations via email at least one week before the first flight using the JCAB-provided list, and to publish flight maps and schedules online. [Official source](https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001975932.pdf)

Limitations of this coverage:

- Binding law and official guidance disagree on bvlos.exceptions; the binding position is published.
- Binding law and official guidance disagree on bvlos.populated_area_pathway; the binding position is published.
- 4 dimension(s) of this topic are not expressed in a machine-resolvable way by the published corpus and are reported UNKNOWN, never FALSE.

Last verified: 2026-10-04.

## Airspace and geographical zones

### Aerodromes and controlled airspace

- Question: Can I fly a drone near an airport in Japan?
- Answer state: Conditional
- Scope: What permission or distance applies around aerodromes and in controlled airspace.

Drone flights near aerodromes in Japan are governed by airspace and aerodrome restrictions: whether permission is needed depends on the airspace, distance or aerodrome type published below.

Rules behind this answer:

- **Attachment of Photographs of the Unmanned Aircraft to Notification** (Article 7) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. When submitting notification documents to the target airport administrator pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two articles, a photograph of the equipment (Small Unmanned Aircraft, etc. (小型無人機等)) to be flown must be attached. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/428M60000800041)
- **Enforcement Measures and Disruption of Non-Compliant Flights** (Article 11) — binding law; national rule; Primary legislation — binding law. Authorized officers (including police, coast guard, SDF, and airport administrators) may take necessary measures, including interfering with the flight or damaging the small unmanned aircraft, if an operator fails to comply with an order to vacate, cannot be reached, or if there is no time to issue an order. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/428AC1000000009)
- **Exemptions to the flight prohibition over target facility surrounding areas** (Article 10) — binding law; national rule; Primary legislation — binding law. The prohibition on flying small unmanned aircraft over target facility surrounding areas does not apply to flights conducted by the facility administrator (or with their consent), by land owners/occupants (or with their consent) over their land, or for national/local government duties, subject to specific limitations for certain facilities. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/428AC1000000009)
- **Flight Restrictions for Model Aircraft (under 100g) in Specified Airspaces** (Article 239-2) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. No person shall fly a model aircraft (模型航空機) (which excludes unmanned aircraft (無人航空機) and includes drones weighing less than 100 grams) in specified airspaces—including airport approach/transition/horizontal surfaces, emergency operational airspace (緊急用務空域), and airspace at or above 150 meters—without permission from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **MLIT Permission Requirement for Restricted Airspace and Category III Flights** (Article 132-85) — binding law; national rule; Primary legislation — binding law. No person shall fly an unmanned aircraft in airspaces affecting aviation safety, or in densely populated areas without entry control measures (or with a drone exceeding the MLIT-prescribed weight threshold even with entry control measures), unless they meet the pilot and aircraft certification requirements and obtain permission from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327AC0000000231)
- **Notification Deadline and Method for Public Service Operators** (Article 6) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. A public service operator (公務操縦者) who intends to fly a small unmanned aircraft, etc. in the surrounding area of a target airport must submit the required notification documents to the target airport administrator at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled flight start time. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/428M60000800041)
- **Notification to Target Airport Administrator by Administrator or Land Owner/Occupier** (Article 5) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. A pilot who is the target airport administrator or the owner/occupier of the land must submit a notification using Form No. 3 to the target airport administrator at least 48 hours before commencing the flight of a small unmanned aircraft, containing specified details including the flight date/time, purpose, area, pilot information, aircraft characteristics, and registration mark. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/428M60000800041)
- **Notification to Target Airport Administrator by General Pilots** (Article 5) — binding law; national rule; Secondary legislation — binding law. A pilot other than the target airport administrator or land owner/occupier must obtain the consent of the target airport administrator or land owner/occupier before notifying, and must submit the notification form at least 48 hours prior to the flight, including the consenting party's contact details and a copy of the document proving their consent. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/428M60000800041)

Limitations of this coverage:

- Binding law and official guidance disagree on airport_airspace.altitude_relationship; the binding position is published.
- Binding law and official guidance disagree on airport_airspace.exceptions; the binding position is published.
- 1 dimension(s) of this topic are not expressed in a machine-resolvable way by the published corpus and are reported UNKNOWN, never FALSE.

Last verified: 2026-08-31.

## Insurance

### Insurance

- Question: Do I need drone insurance in Japan?
- Answer state: Conditional
- Scope: Whether third-party liability insurance is mandatory, and from which threshold.

Whether drone insurance is required in Japan depends on the aircraft and the operation, as published in the conditions below.

Rules behind this answer:

- **Flight Plan Required Information** (Article 236-83) — binding law; national rule; National binding rule — binding law. When submitting a flight plan for a Specified Flight (特定飛行) under the Act, the operator must report specific details including the aircraft registration mark, type, model (if type-certified), pilot's name, pilot license number (if licensed), permit or approval number (if obtained), flight purpose, altitude, speed, airspace, flight method, departure point, destination, estimated elapsed time, presence and details of entry control measures, and liability insurance details. [Official source](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056)
- **Requirements for Flying Over Moving Vehicles, Trains, or Vessels** (3-1 (7)) — guidance / non-binding material; national rule; Authority guidance — not binding law. JCAB states that to fly over moving vehicles, trains, or vessels on roads, railways, or shipping lanes without ground assistants, the pilot must hold a valid pilot license with the VLOS limitation removed and carry sufficient third-party liability insurance. [Official source](https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001975932.pdf)
- **Requirements for Level 3.5 BVLOS Flights** (4-3-2(3)c)カ)(ⅲ)) — guidance / non-binding material; national rule; Authority guidance — not binding law. JCAB requires pilots conducting Level 3.5 flights (crossing roads, railways, or waterways without assistants or warning signs) to hold a valid pilot certificate with the BVLOS limitation removed, maintain third-party liability insurance, and use an on-board camera to monitor the flight path. [Official source](https://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/content/001866503.pdf)

Limitations of this coverage:

- 4 dimension(s) of this topic are not expressed in a machine-resolvable way by the published corpus and are reported UNKNOWN, never FALSE.

Last verified: 2026-08-31.

## Visual line of sight (VLOS)

Requirement (binding law, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) / Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB)): Civil Aeronautics Act Article 132-86(2)(ii) requires flight while continuously monitoring the aircraft visually (目視により常時監視). MLIT's interpretive circular defines 目視 as the pilot personally seeing the aircraft with their own eyes; observation by an assistant does not qualify, and viewing the flight solely through a monitor, binoculars or a camera does not constitute 目視 because the field of view is limited.

- Distance: No fixed VLOS distance
- What that means: No fixed VLOS distance is prescribed. You must remain close enough to maintain the visual contact required by the applicable rule.

- Visual observer: An observer may assist the remote pilot, but the remote pilot remains responsible for maintaining visual line of sight and the operating range is not extended.
  - Legal status: binding law (national)
- First-person view (FPV): FPV does not satisfy the Japanese visual-monitoring requirement; it is treated as a beyond-visual-line-of-sight operation requiring approval. (binding law)
  - Viewing the flight through a monitor or goggles does not satisfy the statutory visual-monitoring requirement.
  - FPV flight is therefore treated as 目視外飛行 (beyond visual line of sight) and requires permission or approval under Article 132-86.

Layers that apply:

- National (japan), binding law, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) / Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB): Civil Aeronautics Act Article 132-86(2)(ii) requires flight while continuously monitoring the aircraft visually (目視により常時監視). MLIT's interpretive circular defines 目視 as the pilot personally seeing the aircraft with their own eyes; observation by an assistant does not qualify, and viewing the flight solely through a monitor, binoculars or a camera does not constitute 目視 because the field of view is limited.
  - Method: MLIT/JCAB publishes no numeric VLOS distance. The separate 30 m separation requirement from third parties and property under Article 132-86(2)(iii) is a proximity rule, not a VLOS distance.

VLOS sources:

- [Civil Aeronautics Act (航空法) Article 132-86; MLIT interpretive circular 無人航空機に係る規制の運用における解釈について (国空無機第350041号), as amended 1 April 2026](https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001303820.pdf) — Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) / Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB); binding law, last verified 2026-09-07

## Official sources

- [航空法施行規則（昭和二十七年運輸省令第五十六号）— Civil Aeronautics Act Enforcement Regulations, Chapter XI](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327M50000800056) — Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism — Civil Aviation Bureau; National binding rule — binding law; last verified 2026-10-02
- [航空法（昭和二十七年法律第二百三十一号）— Civil Aeronautics Act, Chapter XI Unmanned Aircraft](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/327AC0000000231) — Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism — Civil Aviation Bureau; Primary legislation — binding law; last verified 2026-10-02
- [国土交通省関係重要施設の周辺地域の上空における小型無人機等の飛行の禁止に関する法律施行規則（平成二十八年国土交通省令第四十一号）](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/428M60000800041) — Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism — Civil Aviation Bureau; Secondary legislation — binding law; last verified 2026-09-30
- [重要施設の周辺地域の上空における小型無人機等の飛行の禁止に関する法律（平成二十八年法律第九号）— Drone Act](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/428AC1000000009) — Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism — Civil Aviation Bureau; Primary legislation — binding law; last verified 2026-08-31
- [MLIT/JCAB — 無人航空機の飛行に関する許可・承認の審査要領（カテゴリーⅡ飛行）](https://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/content/001866503.pdf) — Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism — Civil Aviation Bureau; Authority guidance — not binding law; last verified 2026-09-30
- [MLIT/JCAB — 航空局標準マニュアル（レベル3.5飛行：機上カメラ装置により立入管理措置をとる目視外飛行）](https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001975932.pdf) — Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism — Civil Aviation Bureau; Authority guidance — not binding law; last verified 2026-09-30

## Verification

- Sources last verified: 2026-10-04
- Page built: 2026-10-07
- Regulations change. Where a statement says a value is unverified or not published, that describes the official material reviewed so far, not a finding that no such rule exists; please reproduce such caveats as caveats.
- A rule shown here applies to this jurisdiction and to the operation described. Do not generalise it to other countries or to other categories of operation.
- Site map for agents: [https://droneassistant.com/llms.txt](https://droneassistant.com/llms.txt)