Drone Laws in Japan: Registration, Permits, and No-Fly Zones (2026)

Japan's drone framework is split across two separate laws. The Civil Aeronautics Act (CAA) governs all drones weighing 100g or more. The Act on Prohibition of Flights of Small Unmanned Aircraft over Important Facilities (commonly called the "Drone Act") applies to all drones regardless of weight near government buildings, the Imperial Palace, embassies, and nuclear facilities. Understanding both laws is required because a sub-100g drone that's exempt from the CAA is still bound by the Drone Act.

Japan's drone rules are set by MLIT under the Civil Aeronautics Act, Articles 131-4 et seq. The Drone Act, passed in 2015 after a drone carrying radioactive sand landed on the Prime Minister's residence, adds a second layer of restrictions around sensitive facilities.

The 100-gram registration threshold

Japan's 100g threshold (including battery weight) is the lowest of any major drone market. The US, EU, UK, Canada, and Australia all use 250g. This means most consumer drones require registration in Japan, including models specifically designed to fly under the 250g limit elsewhere. The DJI Mini 4 Pro (249g), DJI Flip (249g), and Potensic Atom SE (249g) all need full MLIT registration in Japan. Only sub-100g drones like the Ryze Tello (87g) are exempt from CAA rules.

The DID system explained

The Densely Inhabited District system is the single biggest restriction for drone pilots in Japan. DID designations are drawn from Census data published by the Statistics Bureau. Virtually all of Tokyo's 23 wards, most of central Osaka, and large portions of Kyoto are classified as DID. This turns nearly every tourist destination into a no-fly zone without MLIT permission.

Getting DID flight permission requires submitting an application through DIPS 2.0 at least 10 working days before the flight. That means at least two calendar weeks when you account for weekends and holidays. You must provide your flight plan, drone specifications, pilot information, and safety measures. For tourists planning a short trip, this timeline alone makes legal urban flying almost impossible.

The 2015 PM residence incident

Japan's drone regulatory framework was shaped by a single event. In April 2015, Yasuo Yamamoto flew a DJI Phantom 2 carrying sand laced with caesium (radioactive material from Fukushima) onto the roof of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's official residence in Tokyo. The drone sat undetected for nearly two weeks before being discovered. Yamamoto, an anti-nuclear protester, later turned himself in and received a two-year suspended sentence. The National Diet responded by passing the Drone Act, creating 300-metre exclusion zones around government buildings, the Imperial Palace, foreign embassies, and nuclear facilities. That one incident shaped every rule tourists deal with today.

For more on global no-fly zone rules, see our drone no-fly zones guide.

Japan's no-fly map combines national aviation law, the Drone Act facility exclusions, municipal park bans, and cultural property protections. The result is that most places tourists actually want to visit are off-limits without prior approval.

Tokyo specifics

Flying a drone legally in Tokyo is extremely difficult. The 23 special wards are almost entirely classified as DID. All 81 metropolitan parks and gardens ban drones. The Imperial Palace, Diet Building, PM residence, Supreme Court, and every foreign embassy each have 300-metre Drone Act exclusion zones. During major events like festivals and marathons, temporary flight restrictions add more blocked airspace. Popular tourist areas like Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Akihabara are all within DID zones.

In May 2024, police spotted a foreign tourist flying a drone over Shibuya's Scramble Crossing, one of the most recognizable intersections in the world and firmly within a DID zone. The tourist was warned and told to stop. Even this warning made national news coverage.

Kyoto and cultural heritage

Kyoto presents a double problem. Central Kyoto carries a DID designation, requiring MLIT permission for flights. But even with DID approval, you still cannot fly over temples, shrines, and UNESCO World Heritage sites. These are private property, and the Act on Protection of Cultural Properties restricts flights near designated heritage sites. Most temples display "no drones" signs at their entrances. Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Fushimi Inari, and Kiyomizu-dera all prohibit drone use.

For more on park-related drone rules, see our national park drone guide. For night flying rules globally, see our flying at night guide.

Japan is technically open to tourist drone flying. Practically, it is one of the hardest countries to fly in as a visitor. The barriers are administrative, not legal.

Import and customs

Personal drones that show visible signs of use enter Japan duty-free as personal effects. Brand-new or unopened drones may be classified as a commercial import and subject to consumption tax. Keep your purchase receipts and use the red customs declaration channel if you're carrying a high-value drone. Lithium batteries must be packed in carry-on luggage per international aviation rules.

The tourist registration problem

Here's where Japan gets difficult. MLIT registration for drones 100g and above requires:

• An account on the MLIT Drone Portal (DIPS system)
• A Japanese address and phone number (the biggest barrier for tourists)
• A passport copy plus a document from a public institution verifying your name, address, and date of birth
• Processing time of 3 to 5 business days, sometimes up to 2 weeks

The Japanese address requirement is a showstopper for most visitors. Some tourists use their hotel address, but MLIT has not officially endorsed this workaround. The processing time compounds the problem. If you arrive on Saturday and want to fly on Monday, registration alone will not be complete in time.

Flight permission adds more time

Registration is just step one. If you want to fly in a DID area (which covers all major cities), you must also submit a flight permission application through DIPS 2.0 at least 10 working days before your flight. Working days exclude weekends and Japanese holidays, so the actual calendar lead time is closer to two or three weeks.

For a typical one or two-week tourist visit, the math does not work. Registration plus flight permission takes at minimum three weeks of advance planning, and that assumes no processing delays.

Practical options for tourists

• Fly a sub-100g drone: Drones under 100g are exempt from CAA registration. The Drone Act still applies near important facilities, and local park bans are still in effect. But you avoid the entire registration and permission process for standard locations outside DID zones.
• Hire a licensed local operator: Professional Japanese drone operators handle all registration, permitting, and compliance. This is the most reliable way to get aerial footage in Japanese cities.
• Apply well in advance: If you're planning a longer stay (several months or more), complete registration and flight permissions before arriving. Start the process at least a month before your departure date.
• Fly in rural areas: Outside DID zones, away from airports and important facilities, the requirements drop to registration plus Remote ID. Rural Hokkaido, the Japan Alps, and coastal areas outside major cities offer more accessible flying.

For tips on air travel with drone gear, see our taking a drone on a plane guide.

Japan introduced a formal drone pilot licensing system in December 2022, creating one of the most structured commercial frameworks in the world.

The four-level flight classification

Japan classifies drone operations into four levels, each with increasing complexity and requirements:

Pilot certification

The two-tier licensing system mirrors the flight levels:

• Second-class licence: Required for Level 2 and Level 3 operations. Eligibility starts at age 16. Requires a written test, practical flight test, and physical examination. Training at a registered drone school is standard. Valid for 3 years.
• First-class licence: Required for Level 4 operations (autonomous BVLOS over urban areas). Same examination structure but with more rigorous standards. The drone itself must obtain UAS Certification from MLIT, verifying it meets safety standards for autonomous urban flight.

Permission requirements

Any commercial operation outside standard conditions requires flight permission through the DIPS 2.0 portal. This covers night flights, DID operations, flights near airports, operations above 150 m, BVLOS, flights over crowds, and dropping objects. Applications must be submitted at least 10 working days before the flight. You'll need to provide flight logs, drone inspection records, and risk assessments.

Enforcement is real

Japan enforces its drone laws more visibly than many countries. In May 2025, Joel Elman, a US-based aerial cinematographer, posted Instagram footage of a drone spiraling near Tokyo Skytree. This was his second violation, following a previous unauthorized flight around Tokyo Tower. MLIT confirmed no drone application was on file and consulted with police. The case generated massive online backlash in Japan, where the concept of "meiwaku" (causing nuisance to others) means unauthorized drone flights draw strong public disapproval.

Multiple enforcement agencies share jurisdiction. MLIT handles aviation violations. The National Police Agency enforces the Drone Act. Local and prefectural police handle on-the-ground enforcement. The Japan Coast Guard covers maritime drone violations. SDF personnel monitor defence facility perimeters.

Privacy and cultural expectations

Japan's Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) applies to drone-collected personal data. Organizations handling personal information via drones must comply with APPI requirements for collection, use, storage, and disclosure. Beyond the law, Japanese cultural norms around privacy are stricter than in most Western countries. Flying a drone near private residences, even where technically legal, is considered socially unacceptable and will frequently result in police involvement through neighbour complaints. Most temples, shrines, and cultural properties display "no drones" signage at their entrances.

For more on privacy laws affecting drone pilots, see our drone spying laws guide. If you're considering commercial drone work abroad, our how to start a drone business guide covers the fundamentals.