The Drone Act

Japanese

Drone flights, in principle, are prohibited over and within approximately 300 meters of the premises or areas of the designated defense-related facilities without the consent from the administrators of the facilities under the Drone Act (Act No. 9 of 2016).

Flights subject to the Drone Act

(ⅰ) Unmanned aircraft system (so-called “drones,”etc.）

  Airplane, rotorcraft, glider, airship, and any other apparatus used for air navigation which cannot accommodate any person on board and can be operated by remote control or autopilot technologies

(ⅱ) Specific aircraft such as balloons, hang gliders and paragliders

Exceptions to the prohibition of flights

Drones, etc. can be flown in restricted areas subject to the following conditions.

Areas Possible flights
Over the designated defense-related facilities Flights of drones, etc. by persons who have obtained consent from the administrators of the defense-related facilities
Over the surrounding areas within approximately 300 meters of the designated defense-related facilities
  • Flights of drones, etc. by persons who have obtained consent from the administrators of the defense-related facilities
  • Flights of drones, etc. by those who own or occupy the areas (limited to those who have legitimate authorities) or by persons who have obtained consent from those who own or occupy the areas
  • Flights of drones, etc. by the central or local governments for the purpose of performing public services

Procedures for flights

Please refer to the following documents for procedures required to fly drones, etc. over the designated facilities and their surrounding areas.

Countermeasures and Penalties

Any person, who falls under either of the following cases, may be punished by imprisonment of up to one year, or a fine of up to 500,000 yen.

(ⅰ) In case of flying a drone, etc. over the designated defense-related facility without following the procedures described above.

(ⅱ）In case of violating an instruction of police officers, Japan Coast Guard (JCG) officers, or SDF personnel.

SDF personnel can order a person, who flies a drone, etc. over the designated SDF facility in violation of the provisions of the Drone Act, to stop the flight. In certain cases, SDF personnel may obstruct the flight or destroy the drone, etc.

SDF personnel can take the same measures against the drone, etc. flying over the area within approximately 300 meters of the designated SDF facility, provided that police officers, etc. are not present at the site.

List of the designated defense-related facilities

(ⅰ) SDF facilities

(ⅱ) USFJ facilities and areas

Forms of prior notice

Prior notice to fly drones, etc. (in Japanese)

Forms of application for consent

(ⅰ) SDF facilities

Application for consent to fly drones, etc. (in Japanese)

(ⅱ) USFJ facilities and areas

As the form differs depending on the designated USFJ facility and area, please contact each facility and area or the relevant Regional Defense Bureau for details.

Deadline of application for consent

(ⅰ) SDF facilities

When flying a drone, etc. over the designated SDF facility and its surrounding area, you must apply for consent to the administrator of the facility at least 10 business days before the flight.

(ⅱ) USFJ facilities and areas

When flying a drone, etc. over the designated USFJ facility and area, and its surrounding area, you must apply for consent to the administrator of the facility and area at least 30 calendar days before the flight. Each Regional Defense Bureau will provide assistance with the application process. When applying through the relevant Regional Defense Bureau, please make application well in advance.

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