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

In plain language

If you apply to MLIT for permission or approval to fly a Category II drone beyond visual line of sight without observers, MLIT's review guideline expects your route to run over places where people are unlikely to be, such as mountains, sea, rivers and lakes, forests, farmland or golf courses. Crossing quiet roads or railways (not main roads, main railways or roads and railways in urban areas, unless the road or railway operator is running or helping with the flight) and briefly flying over houses are allowed only where unavoidable. If a route over an area crowded with people or houses cannot be avoided, you must take sufficient safety measures to protect people and property. These route criteria do not apply where entry by third parties can be restricted by the method in section 4-3-2(3)b). This is not permission to fly over people; the guideline's other requirements still apply.

Requirement as structured

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.

Original regulatory text

ｃ）補助者を配置せずに飛行させる場合には、次に掲げる基準に適合すること。ただし、４－３－２（３）ｂ）に示す方法により、第三者の立入りを制限することが可能な場合は、この限りではない。 また、災害等により人が立ち入れないなど飛行経路の直下及びその周辺に第三者が立ち入る可能性が極めて低い場合であって、飛行させようとする経路及びその周辺を現場確認すること並びに第三者の立ち入りを管理することが難しい場合には、エ）～カ）についてはこの限りではない。 ア）飛行経路には第三者が存在する可能性が低い場所※ を設定すること。ただし、飛行経路を設定する上でやむを得ない場合には、幹線道路・鉄道や都市部以外の交通量が少ない道路・鉄道を横断する飛行（道路・鉄道の管理者が主体的又は協力して飛行させる場合は、この限りでない。）及び家屋上空における一時 的な飛行に限り可能とする。 また、やむを得ず人又は家屋の密集している地域の上空を飛行経路として設定する場合には、第三者及び物件への危害を防ぐための十分な安全確保措置を講じること。 ※第三者が存在する可能性が低い場所は、山、海水域、河川・湖沼、森林、農用地、ゴルフ場又はこれらに類するもの。

Applies when

scope

Category II flights requiring MLIT permission/approval (Civil Aeronautics Act Art. 132-85 / 132-86), beyond visual line of sight, without assistants

exceptions

Not applicable where third-party entry can be restricted by the method in section 4-3-2(3)b).

legal force

MLIT review criterion for permission/approval applications; not itself statute

cross references

Civil Aeronautics Act Art. 132-85(2), 132-86(3), Same guideline 4-3-2(3)b)

not standalone permission

Route-setting criterion only; other applicable guideline requirements remain necessary.