Remote pilot competency 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.

• Competency requiredConditional
• Training requiredConditional
• Examination requiredConditional
• Proof of competency issuedConditional
• Operation-specific qualificationConditional
• Validity periodConditional
• Renewal or recurrent trainingConditional
• Minimum ageNot resolved
• Weight-based triggerNot resolved

The rules behind this answer

• Binding lawNational rule

  Academic Exam Application

  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.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Alignment of Validity Period Commencement Dates for Multiple Ratings

  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.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Application for Change of Limitations on Competency Certificate

  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.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Application for Change of Pilot Certificate Limitations

  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.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Application for Competency Certificate Issuance and 2-Year Deadline

  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.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Application for Examination Pass Certificate

  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.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Application for Modification of Competency Certificate Conditions

  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.

  Open the requirementOfficial source
• Binding lawNational rule

  Application for Reissuance of Competency Certificate

  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.

  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

Known limitations

• Binding law and official guidance disagree on pilot_competency.validity; 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.

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.
• Can I fly a drone at night in Japan?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.
• 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.
• 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