The Drone Act
Drone flights, in principle, are prohibited over the premises or areas of the designated defense-related facilities and surrounding areas within approximately 300 meters*¹ without the consent from the administrators of the facilities under the Drone Act (Act No. 9 of 2016).
*1 Effective July 14, flight restriction zones for drones will be expanded to include the airspace above the premises or areas of the facilities and surrounding areas within approximately 1,000 meters under the enforcement of the partial amendment the Done Act (Act No. 47, 2026) which was promulgated on June 24.
Flights subject to the Drone Act
(ⅰ) Unmanned aircraft system (so-called "drones " and similar devices)
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 can be flown in restricted areas subject to the following conditions.
| Areas | Possible flights |
|---|---|
| Over the designated defense-related facilities and areas | Flights of drones by persons who have obtained consent from the administrators of the defense-related facilities and areas |
| Over the surrounding areas within approximately 300 meters of the designated defense-related facilities and areas*1 |
|
Procedures for flights
Please refer to the following documents for procedures required to fly drones over the designated facilities and their surrounding areas.
- Detailed procedures for flights (over the designated defense-related facilities)
- Procedures for flights (over the surrounding areas within approximately 300 meters of the designated defense-related facilities and areas*1)
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.*2
(ⅰ) In case of flying a drone over the designated defense-related facilities and areas 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 may, in the event that a person flies drones in violation of the provisions of the Drone Act over a SDF facility which is a designated defense-related facility, order that person to remove the device or take other necessary measures; and under certain circumstances, may interfere with or damage the drones or take other necessary measures.
Furthermore, same measures may be taken against drones flying over the area within approximately 300meters of the premises or areas of the designated defense-related facilities and areas*1, provided that no police officers or other authorized personnel is present at the scene.
*2 From July 14, 2026, under the revised Drone Act (plomulgated June 24, 2026), any person who operates drones over the areas surrounding a designated facility (excluding the area directly above the facility and its designated premises) will be subject to penalties of imprisonment of up to 6 months or a fine of up to 500,000 yen, in addition to above.
List of the designated defense-related facilities
Forms of prior notice
(ⅰ) SDF facilities
Prior notice to fly drones (in Japanese)
(ⅱ) USFJ facilities and areas
Forms vary by facility. Please contact the respective facility or the relevant Regional Defense Bureau for details.
Forms of application for consent
(ⅰ) SDF facilities
Application for consent to fly drones (in Japanese)
(ⅱ) USFJ facilities and areas
Forms vary by facility. Please contact the respective facility or the relevant Regional Defense Bureau for details.
Deadlines of application for consent
(ⅰ) SDF facilities
When operating drones 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 operating drones 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 submit your application well in advance.
Links
-
About the Aviation Act (MLIT HP)
Japan’s safety rules on Unmanned Aircraft (UA)/Drones
* When flying a drone in the airspace prohibited under the Aviation Act or at night or in other specific occasions, it is also necessary to obtain permission or approval from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
- About the Drone Act (NPA HP)
Notices
From July 14, 2026, flight restriction zones for drones will be expanded to include the airspace above the premises or areas of the facilities and surrounding areas within approximately 1,000 meters.
List of the designated defense-related facilities (Effective July 14, 2026)
Any person who intends to operate drones over the expanded flight restriction zones of SDF facilities (limited to the newly designated restriction areas as a result of this amendment) during the period from July 14 to July 16, 2026, must submit applications for consent to the administrator of the facility at least 7 business days before the flight.
Any person who intends to operate drones over the expanded flight restriction zones of USFJ facilities and areas (limited to the areas newly designated restriction areas as a result of this amendment) during the period from July 14 to August 1, 2026, must promptly submit applications. Please note that acceptance of such applications by the facility administrator cannot be guaranteed.