This article was written by the NIPPON VISA & LIFE editorial team based on information from public organizations such as the national government and local governments. Rules and fees may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live.
When you fly a drone outdoors in Japan, if it weighs 100g or more, you must first register the aircraft with the national government. To fly around airports, over densely inhabited districts (areas with many houses and people) and similar places, or to fly at night and in similar ways, you need permission or approval from the national government in advance. Check where you can fly using the information from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the National Police Agency, and map services.
This article summarizes the basics for people who fly drones as a hobby, based on MLIT’s “Guidelines for the Safe Flight of Unmanned Aircraft (Drones, Radio-Controlled Aircraft, etc.)” (version of September 29, Reiwa 8 2026) and other sources. If you fly for work, or if you apply for permission or approval, be sure to read MLIT’s information.
The overall manners and rules for living in Japan are summarized in Manners and Rules to Know When Living in Japan: At Home, on Trains and Buses, at Hot Springs, and with Neighbors.
The Short Answer: Steps to Take Before Flying a Drone
- Check the weight of the aircraft (the body and battery combined). If it is 100g or more, it is an “unmanned aircraft” under the law (the Civil Aeronautics Act).
- Register aircraft weighing 100g or more on “DIPS2.0,” MLIT’s online service. Display the registration code on the aircraft and, as a rule, install Remote ID (a function that sends out the aircraft’s information by radio waves).
- Check on a map whether the place where you want to fly is in airspace that requires permission (around airports, at 150m or higher, over densely inhabited districts, etc.).
- Check whether the place is around an important facility (the National Diet Building, airports, Self-Defense Forces facilities, etc.), and whether the manager of a park, river or similar place prohibits flying there.
- If you will fly in a way such as at night, beyond where you can see with your own eyes, or without being able to stay 30m away from people or objects, get approval in advance.
- On the day you fly, check whether emergency operation airspace (airspace where flying is prohibited during disasters or accidents) has been designated.
The Rules You Must Follow Differ for Aircraft Weighing 100g or More and Less Than 100g
MLIT explains “unmanned aircraft,” which are subject to the rules of the Civil Aeronautics Act, as follows.
| Weight of the aircraft (body and battery combined) | Treatment under the Civil Aeronautics Act | Main rules |
|---|---|---|
| 100g or more | Unmanned aircraft | Registration required. Follow the rules on no-fly airspace and on how to fly |
| Less than 100g | Model aircraft | The rules for unmanned aircraft do not apply. However, to fly around airports or above a certain height, permission from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or similar is required |
In addition to what are commonly called drones (multicopters), radio-controlled aircraft and helicopters that spray agricultural chemicals are also unmanned aircraft.
MLIT advises that under laws other than the Civil Aeronautics Act and under local government ordinances, the aircraft covered may differ from the “unmanned aircraft” of the Civil Aeronautics Act. Even a small drone weighing less than 100g may be covered by the ban on flying around important facilities (the Small Unmanned Aircraft Flight Prohibition Act) or by ordinances for parks and similar places, so check the information for each.
(Sources: MLIT “Aircraft Subject to the Flight Rules (Chapter 11 of the Civil Aeronautics Act)”, MLIT “Guidelines for the Safe Flight of Unmanned Aircraft (Drones, Radio-Controlled Aircraft, etc.)”)
Registration and Remote ID for Aircraft Weighing 100g or More
Registration of unmanned aircraft became mandatory on June 20, 2022. Unmanned aircraft that are not registered cannot be flown.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Aircraft that must be registered | All drones and radio-controlled aircraft weighing 100g or more that are flown outdoors |
| How to register | Apply on MLIT’s online service “Drone/UAS Information Platform System 2.0 (DIPS2.0)” (paper applications are also possible) |
| Identity verification | When you verify your identity online, use one of the following: a My Number card, a driver’s license or a passport |
| Cost | A registration fee is charged |
| If you have several aircraft | Before flying, register every aircraft one by one |
| After registration | Display the issued registration code on the aircraft and, as a rule, install the Remote ID function (there are conditions under which you do not need to install it) |
| Validity period of registration | The registration has a validity period, and you must renew it to keep flying. The registration code does not change when you renew |
Remote ID is a function that sends out the aircraft’s identification information by radio waves so that it can be known whether an aircraft in flight is registered. MLIT says that the information sent out does not include personal information. There are also conditions under which you do not need to install Remote ID (for example, aircraft for which a registration application was made during the pre-registration period from December 20, 2021 to June 19, 2022 are said not to need it even after the registration is renewed). Check the detailed conditions under “Conditions for exemption from installation” on the Unmanned Aircraft Registration Portal Site.
After you submit your registration application, DIPS2.0 will contact you by email about identity verification and things you need to correct. The procedure will not move forward unless you open the URL written in the email. Also check whether the email has gone into your spam folder.
(Sources: MLIT “Unmanned Aircraft Registration Portal Site”, MLIT “Registration System for Unmanned Aircraft”)
Foreign Pilot Qualifications and Aircraft Certifications Cannot Replace Japan’s Pilot Certification and Aircraft Certification
Japan has a national qualification for unmanned aircraft pilots (pilot certification) and a system for certifying aircraft. MLIT advises that these are systems unique to Japan and that flying based on other countries’ qualifications or certification systems is not possible. When you fly in a way that requires pilot certification or aircraft certification, you cannot use a foreign qualification or certification instead.
(Sources: MLIT “Guidelines for the Safe Flight of Unmanned Aircraft (Drones, Radio-Controlled Aircraft, etc.)”)
Places That Require Permission (No-Fly Airspace)
To fly an unmanned aircraft in the following airspace, you must take safety measures and get permission from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in advance. Even over your own land (private land), you need permission if it is in this airspace. You do not need it when flying indoors.
| Airspace | Details |
|---|---|
| Around airports and similar places | Airspace set around airports and heliports. At 8 airports (New Chitose, Narita, Tokyo Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, Osaka Itami, Fukuoka and Naha), the area is even wider |
| Emergency operation airspace | Airspace designated so that police, fire department and other aircraft can fly for search and rescue and similar work. You cannot fly here even if you have other permissions |
| 150m or higher | Airspace 150m or more above the ground or water surface |
| Over densely inhabited districts | Over areas where people and houses are densely concentrated, set based on the national census |
(Sources: MLIT “No-Fly Airspace and Flying Methods for Unmanned Aircraft”)
How to Check Whether the Place Where You Want to Fly Is in Airspace That Requires Permission
- Around airports and similar places, and densely inhabited districts: You can check on the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan’s “GSI Maps.” MLIT advises that if you fly near a boundary, you should contact the airport manager or similar.
- Emergency operation airspace: This is announced on the MLIT website (the page on flight rules for unmanned aircraft) and on the unmanned aircraft X (formerly Twitter) account of MLIT’s Civil Aviation Bureau. Be sure to check before flying.
(Sources: MLIT “No-Fly Airspace and Flying Methods for Unmanned Aircraft”, MLIT “Flight Rules for Unmanned Aircraft (Drones, Radio-Controlled Aircraft, etc.)”)
Flying Rules to Follow Wherever You Fly
Regardless of the place, follow these rules when you fly an unmanned aircraft.
- Do not fly after drinking alcohol or while under the influence of similar substances.
- Fly only after checking that you are ready to fly, including the weather, any damage or faults on the aircraft, and the battery.
- If you are likely to collide with an aircraft or another drone, take action such as landing on the ground.
- Do not fly in ways that bother other people, such as making unnecessary loud noises.
Flying Methods That Require Approval
If you cannot fly in line with the following rules, you must take safety measures and get approval in advance.
| Rule | Examples that require approval |
|---|---|
| Fly during the daytime (from sunrise to sunset) | Flying at night |
| Fly within the range you can see directly with your own eyes, while watching the aircraft and its surroundings | Flying while looking only at the screen of a smartphone or goggles (FPV or monitoring on a monitor) |
| Keep 30m away from people and from objects such as people’s buildings and cars | Flying within 30m of people or objects |
| Do not fly over events where many people gather, such as festivals and fairs | Flying over an event |
| Do not carry dangerous goods such as explosives | Carrying dangerous goods |
| Do not drop objects from the aircraft | Dropping objects |
When a person who has the national qualification (pilot certification) and an aircraft certification flies while taking the prescribed measures, some permissions and approvals may not be needed. For details, see MLIT’s “Application Procedures for Flight Permission and Approval” page.
(Sources: MLIT “Guidelines for the Safe Flight of Unmanned Aircraft (Drones, Radio-Controlled Aircraft, etc.)”, MLIT “Application Procedures for Flight Permission and Approval”)
How to Apply for Permission or Approval
As a rule, applications for permission or approval are submitted through DIPS2.0. MLIT advises submitting the application at least 10 business days (days excluding Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays) before the day you start flying, and applying with a margin of about 3 to 4 weeks in case there are problems with your documents.
(Sources: MLIT “Application Procedures for Flight Permission and Approval”)
Flying Around Important Facilities Is Prohibited in Principle (Small Unmanned Aircraft Flight Prohibition Act)
Under a law separate from the Civil Aeronautics Act (the Small Unmanned Aircraft Flight Prohibition Act, handled by the National Police Agency), flying small unmanned aircraft and similar devices is prohibited over important facilities and the area of roughly 1,000m around them. An amendment to this law took effect on July 14, 2026, expanding the surrounding area to roughly 1,000m.
| Examples of facilities covered |
|---|
| Important national facilities such as the National Diet Building, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Supreme Court and the Imperial Palace |
| Foreign diplomatic missions such as embassies |
| Self-Defense Forces facilities and U.S. Forces Japan facilities |
| Designated airports |
| Designated nuclear facilities such as nuclear power plants |
Flying is prohibited over the facility’s premises (the red zone) and over the area of roughly 1,000m around it (the yellow zone). You can check the areas on the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan’s “GSI Maps.” The National Police Agency advises that flying is prohibited in many places in Tokyo.
Even when an exception applies, such as when you have obtained the consent of the facility’s manager, you must notify the prefectural public safety commission or similar in advance.
The penalties for violating this law are as follows.
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Flying over the red zone, or not following an order from a police officer or similar | Imprisonment for up to 1 year or a fine of up to 500,000 yen |
| Flying over the yellow zone | Imprisonment for up to 6 months or a fine of up to 500,000 yen |
(Sources: National Police Agency “Small Unmanned Aircraft Flight Prohibition Act”)
When Flying in Parks, Along Rivers, or at Shrines and Temples
Besides the national laws, there are other places where you cannot fly. MLIT’s guidelines advise as follows.
- Local governments may prohibit flying drones over parks and other places they manage through ordinances or other rules.
- On rivers (including dams), permission may be required, or the river manager or local government may have set rules.
- Managers of shrines, temples and similar places, including those with Important Cultural Properties, may put up signs prohibiting flying over their grounds.
- If a landowner has put up a sign prohibiting flying, do not fly over that land. Flying over someone else’s land may be considered an infringement of their property rights.
If you want to fly in a park, search the website of the city, ward, town, village or prefecture that manages the park for “(name of the park) ドローン,” or ask the park’s management office.
(Sources: MLIT “Guidelines for the Safe Flight of Unmanned Aircraft (Drones, Radio-Controlled Aircraft, etc.)”)
Be Careful About Radio Wave Rules for Drones Brought from Abroad
Drones use radio waves for control and for sending video. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) advises that, as a rule, radio equipment that uses radio waves in Japan requires a radio station license.
Low-power radio equipment such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth does not require a license, but it must be equipment that has received “Technical Conformity Certification, etc.” (equipment with the Giteki mark). When you use a drone bought abroad in Japan, check MIC’s pages “Radio Equipment Used in Drones, etc.” and “Foreign-Made Radio Equipment.”
(Sources: MIC “Radio Equipment Used in Drones, etc.”)
When You Are Not Sure: Frequently Asked Questions About Drones
Can I Fly a Drone in My Own Garden Without Permission?
If your garden is in airspace such as a densely inhabited district or the area around an airport, you need permission even over private land. You must also follow the rules on how to fly (in the daytime, within the range you can see, 30m from people and objects, etc.). If it is around an important facility, you also need to follow the procedures under the other law. When you fly indoors, you do not need permission under the Civil Aeronautics Act.
Can I Post Videos I Filmed with a Drone on Social Media?
MLIT’s guidelines advise that when you publish drone footage on the internet, you should follow MIC’s “Guidelines on the Handling of Images Filmed by Drones on the Internet” and be careful about other people’s privacy. Read MIC’s guidelines before publishing.
What Should I Know When a Child Flies a Toy Drone?
MLIT’s guidelines advise that children who fly drones must also follow the laws and regulations, and that parents or guardians need to take care, such as by teaching them the rules and staying with them. Even a toy drone weighing less than 100g may be covered by the ban on flying around important facilities or by ordinances for parks and similar places. Check the rules of the place before flying.
What Should I Do If I Cause an Accident with a Drone?
If someone is injured or property is damaged during the flight of an unmanned aircraft, or in similar cases, you must report it to MLIT. If someone is injured, you must take measures to prevent danger, such as giving first aid. Contact the police (110) or the fire department (119) as needed. MLIT recommends taking out insurance in case something happens.
(Sources: MLIT “Reporting of Accidents and Duty to Aid the Injured”, MLIT “Guidelines for the Safe Flight of Unmanned Aircraft (Drones, Radio-Controlled Aircraft, etc.)”)
Where to Ask About Drone Rules
- MLIT Unmanned Aircraft Help Desk (registration, DIPS2.0, flight rules, etc.): Phone 03-5539-0225. Open on weekdays from 9:00 to 17:00 (closed on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and the New Year holidays December 29 to January 3). Because the phone lines can be busy, MLIT advises checking the “FAQ” and user guides first.
- Flying around important facilities and notification: The police station for the place where you want to fly, or the National Police Agency’s “Small Unmanned Aircraft Flight Prohibition Act” page.
- Flying in parks and along rivers: The city, ward, town, village or prefecture that manages the place, or the river manager.
Primary Sources Used for This Article
- MLIT “Guidelines for the Safe Flight of Unmanned Aircraft (Drones, Radio-Controlled Aircraft, etc.)” (September 29, Reiwa 8 [2026)](https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001303818.pdf)
- MLIT “Flight Rules for Unmanned Aircraft (Drones, Radio-Controlled Aircraft, etc.)”
- MLIT “Aircraft Subject to the Flight Rules (Chapter 11 of the Civil Aeronautics Act)”
- MLIT “No-Fly Airspace and Flying Methods for Unmanned Aircraft”
- MLIT “Application Procedures for Flight Permission and Approval”
- MLIT “Unmanned Aircraft Registration Portal Site”
- MLIT “Registration System for Unmanned Aircraft”
- MLIT “Reporting of Accidents and Duty to Aid the Injured”
- National Police Agency “Small Unmanned Aircraft Flight Prohibition Act”
- MIC “Radio Equipment Used in Drones, etc.”
This article is a translation of the original Japanese version.
