Drone laws in Japan (2026)
Last reviewed: 31 October 2026
In short: In Japan an unmanned aircraft of 100 g or more must be registered, show its registration ID and have a remote ID function. Permission from MLIT is needed to fly 150 m or higher, around airports, over densely inhabited districts and in certain ways such as at night. Insurance is not stated as a legal requirement on the pages read.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Operator registrationRecreational flying (open category) | An unmanned aircraft weighing 100 g or more (body plus battery) must be registered under the Civil Aeronautics Act, and the registration ID must be displayed on the aircraft. Lighter multicopters and radio-controlled aircraft count as model aircraft. [1] |
| Pilot competencyRecreational flying (open category) | Flying in the listed airspaces (150 m or higher above ground, around airports, over densely inhabited districts, emergency response airspace) and in certain ways (for example at night) needs permission or approval from MLIT, applied for online and about 10 business days ahead. The Unmanned Aircraft Remote Pilot Certificate is the certificate of the skill needed to fly. [2] |
| Liability insuranceRecreational flying (open category) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Maximum heightRecreational flying (open category) | 150 m [2] |
| Remote IDRecreational flying (open category) | A registered unmanned aircraft must be fitted with a remote ID function and display its registration ID. [1] |
| EU class-marked dronesRecreational flying (open category) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
Notes
- The MLIT pages describe the remote pilot certificate as proof of skill and link it to simplified permission procedures; they do not give a general pilot licence rule for flights that need no permission.
- The MLIT guidelines recommend insurance but the pages read do not state whether it is a legal requirement.
- Airspace 150 m or more above the land or water surface needs permission (except within 30 m of an object on the ground or water, where the rule differs). The figure is therefore the height below which no height permission is needed, not a ban.
Sources
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Civil Aviation Bureau: Civil Aviation Bureau：Flight Rules for Unmanned Aircraft(Drones and Model Aircraft, etc.) (consulted 31 October 2026) · all sources
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), Civil Aviation Bureau: Guidelines for the Safe Flight of Unmanned Aircraft System / UAS (drones, radio-controlled aircraft, etc.) (26 January 2023) (consulted 31 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.