Kumamoto earthquake relief: remote pilot certificate and aircraft certification validity extended to 27 January 2027

In plain language

MLIT states that, following the disaster caused by the 2026 (Reiwa 8) Kumamoto earthquake, a public notice was designated on 4 September 2026 under Article 3(2) of the Act on Special Measures for Preservation of Rights and Interests of Victims of Specified Extraordinary Disasters, and that for persons whose address is within the specified disaster area (特定被災地域), the validity period of unmanned aircraft remote pilot certificates and aircraft certifications is extended until 27 January 2027. The extension applies only to persons with an address in the specified disaster area; it does not extend certificates of other holders, and it does not extend validity beyond 27 January 2027. The municipalities forming the specified disaster area are listed in the same notice (see the registration-extension item).

Requirement as structured

MLIT states that, following the disaster caused by the 2026 (Reiwa 8) Kumamoto earthquake, a public notice was designated on 4 September 2026 under Article 3(2) of the Act on Special Measures for Preservation of Rights and Interests of Victims of Specified Extraordinary Disasters, and that for persons whose address is within the specified disaster area (特定被災地域), the validity period of unmanned aircraft remote pilot certificates and aircraft certifications is extended until 27 January 2027. The extension applies only to persons with an address in the specified disaster area; it does not extend certificates of other holders, and it does not extend validity beyond 27 January 2027. The municipalities forming the specified disaster area are listed in the same notice (see the registration-extension item).

Original regulatory text

令和８年熊本地震による災害を受け、無人航空機操縦者技能証明、機体認証、機体登録について、以下のとおり弾力的措置を講じますのでお知らせいたします。 ＜措置の概要＞ １　無人航空機操縦者技能証明及び機体認証の有効期間の延長 無人航空機操縦者技能証明及び機体認証について、特定非常災害の被害者の権利利益の保全等を図るための特別措置に関する法律（平成８年法律第85条）第３条第２項の規定に基づき告示を指定し（令和８年９月４日公布）、特定被災地域内に住所を有する者については、有効期間を令和９年１月27日まで延長します。

Applies when

covers

remote pilot certificate, aircraft certification

region

Specified disaster area named in the MLIT notice of 4 September 2026: Kumamoto City, Yatsushiro, Minamata, Yamaga, Kikuchi, Uto, Kami-Amakusa, Uki, Amakusa, Koshi, Misato, Ozu, Kikuyo, Nishihara, Mifune, Kashima, Mashiki, Koda, Hikawa, Ashikita and Tsunagi (Kumamoto Prefecture)

country

Japan

valid until

2027-01-27

eligible persons

Persons whose address is within the specified disaster area (特定被災地域)

regulatory category

General