An amendment to the Aviation Act came into effect December 10, 2015.

In most cases you are required to obtain permission from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism when you fly a drone in japan.

First, we’ll tell you about “the current law on drones in Japan”.
It apply to not only non-japanese people but also japanese.

Whether you are required to obtain permission or not

1. Is your drone lighter than 200g ?

You do not have to obtain permission if your drone is lighter than 200g. But in some places there are administrators(public park, temple, castle, tourist spot) you should explain in advance to them about your flying a drone.

On the other hand, there is a possibility that you are required to obtain permission if your drone is heavier 200g or more. It depends on Airspaces and the way of Operation.

2. Will you fly a drone following airplaces ?

(A) Around airport
You can check airport by public map.

①Click below link
Geospatial Information Authority of Japan’s map

②green area is airport

 
 
(B) above 150m (492ft)
If you want to fly it than 150m (492ft) or more, you are required to obtain permission.

 
 
(C) Above Densely Inhabited Districts
You can check Densely Inhabited Districts by public map.

①Click below link
Geospatial Information Authority of Japan’s map

②Red area is Densely Inhabited Districts

 
 
Even if you don’t fly in the above airplaces, you are required to obtain permission depending on the way of operation.

3. Will you fly a drone following ways ?

(i) Operation of drone in the nighttime.
(ii) Operation of drone without Visual Line of Sight (VLOS).
(iii) Can’t maintain 30m (98ft) operating distance between drone and persons or properties on the ground/ water surface.
(iv) operation of drone over event sites where many people gather.
(v) transportation of hazardous materials such as explosives by drone.
(vi) drop of any objects from drone.

 
I think tourists who want to fly a drone in japan are careful about (i), (ii), (iii), (iv).
If you fly on the above ways, you are required to obtain permission.

If the above rules are violated

the UAV operator is liable for a fine of up to 500,000 yen.

How to obtain permission

Most places where tourists want to visit require to obtain permission to fly a drone.

In order to obtain permission, you have to submit an application in Japanese for the permission or approval to the Ministry of Land Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism at least 10 days before you fly a drone.
(I recommend to submit an application at least 30 days, because it is crowded very much. )

The current law on drones in Japan is strict and complicated.
It’s difficult to obtain permission even in Japanese.
And also even if you obtain it from japanese government, if Facility Administrators say “Don’t fly”, you can’t fly a drone there.

But I am lawyer and support many people who want to obtain permission from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

So first, please tell me when, where and how you want to fly and I will tell you whether you are required to obtain permission or not.
If necessary I try to ask administrators for approval of flying a drone.

If you are required to obtain permission, please leave it to me. I will obtain permission from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism instead of you.

Flowchart

Legal Fee

Payment Method

After I get the permission, please pay legal fee ($300). We accept only PayPal for the way of payment.
Thank you for your understanding.
On the other hand, If I could not get the permission, you don’t have to pay it.