Flying a drone at night in Japan

What the rules say

Each line is resolved from published facts of Japan. "Not resolved" means the corpus does not answer it in a machine-checkable way — never that the law is silent.

• Night flight permittedConditional
• Authorisation requiredConditional
• Lighting requirementConditional
• Pilot requirementConditional
• Operational conditionsConditional
• ExceptionsConditional

The rules behind this answer

• Binding lawNational rule

  Application Procedure for Approval of Non-Standard Flight Methods

  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).

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Daylight Flight Requirement

  Unless certified pilots operate certified aircraft (or under specific exemptions/approvals), unmanned aircraft must be flown only between sunrise and sunset.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Determination of Certificate Limitations via Practical Exam

  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).

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Exemption for Tethered Flight

  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.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Obligation to Carry Pilot Competence Certificate

  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.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Penalty for Flight Operation and Airspace Violations

  A fine of up to 500,000 yen shall be imposed on any person who violates rules regarding Specified Flights (特定飛行), including exceeding designated conditions, violating operational orders, failing to submit flight plans/logs, flying in prohibited airspace or altitudes without permission, flying at night or BVLOS without approval, or violating safety rules.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Prior Approval for Deviating from Standard Flight Methods

  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).

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Safety Measures for Deviating from Items 1-3 with Entry Control

  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.

  Open the requirementOfficial source

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 — Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (総務省)Open
• 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 — Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (総務省)Open

Other drone rules in Japan

• Do I need to register my drone in Japan?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.
• Do I need Remote ID in Japan?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.
• What is the maximum drone altitude in Japan?Drone flights in Japan are held to a published general height limit of 150 m. The limit is not absolute: the published conditions that change it are cited below.
• Can I fly a drone near an airport in Japan?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.
• Is BVLOS drone flight allowed in Japan?BVLOS in Japan runs through a defined authorisation pathway rather than an open permission: the published conditions below set out what that pathway requires.
• When does a drone operation need authorisation in Japan?Whether an operation in Japan needs prior authorisation depends on the operational category, risk class or location: the published triggers below decide it.
• What training do I need to fly a drone in Japan?Remote pilot competency in Japan scales with the operation: which training, examination or proof of competency applies is set by the published conditions below.
• Do I need drone insurance in Japan?Whether drone insurance is required in Japan depends on the aircraft and the operation, as published in the conditions below.

All drone laws in Japan