Chapter 1 — Regulatory Framework Overview / 法体系概要
1-1. Governing Body / 所管省庁
Japan: Drone regulation involves multiple ministries, with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT / 国土交通省) as the primary authority for airspace safety under the Aviation Act (航空法). Other key agencies include:
| Ministry / 省庁 | Law / 法律 | Scope / 所管範囲 |
|---|---|---|
| MLIT / 国土交通省 | 航空法 | Aircraft registration, flight permits, pilot certification |
| NPA / 警察庁 | 小型無人機等飛行禁止法 | Security restrictions around important facilities |
| MIC / 総務省 | 電波法 | Radio frequency regulations |
| MOJ / 法務省 | 民法 | Land rights, tort liability |
| PPC / 個人情報保護委員会 | 個人情報保護法 | Data protection for aerial footage |
| NPA / 警察庁 | 道路交通法 | Road-based take-off and landing |
日本語: ドローン規制は複数の省庁にわたる。主管は国土交通省（航空法）であり、警察庁（小型無人機等飛行禁止法・道路交通法）、総務省（電波法）、個人情報保護委員会（個人情報保護法）が独立して規制を行う。
1-2. The Six Core Laws / ドローン六法（核となる6法令）
Japan's "Drone Six Laws (ドローン六法)" are the minimum legal foundation every operator must know:
| # | Law / 法令名 | Ministry / 所管 | Key Function / 主な機能 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ① | 航空法 (Aviation Act, Act No. 231 of 1952) | MLIT | All flight rules: registration, permits, certification, reporting |
| ② | 小型無人機等飛行禁止法 (Act No. 9 of 2016) | NPA | Prohibited airspace around national security facilities |
| ③ | 電波法 (Radio Act, Act No. 131 of 1950) | MIC | Frequency licensing for drone control and video links |
| ④ | 民法 (Civil Code, Act No. 89 of 1896) | MOJ | Airspace rights over private land; tort liability |
| ⑤ | 個人情報保護法 (APPI, Act No. 57 of 2003) | PPC | Handling aerial imagery that identifies individuals |
| ⑥ | 道路交通法 (Road Traffic Act, Act No. 105 of 1960) | NPA | Take-off and landing on public roads |
Critical principle: All six laws apply simultaneously. Compliance with one does NOT excuse non-compliance with another.
日本語の要点: 六法は同時に適用される。航空法の許可を得ていても、他の5法令の遵守義務は消えない。
Primary Source: https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/ (全法令の条文検索)
1-3. Three-Layer Regulatory Structure / 3層構造
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第1層 — ドローン六法（常時適用・飛行場所・目的不問）
├── 航空法（飛行の大原則）
├── 小型無人機等飛行禁止法（重要施設周辺）
├── 電波法（電波の使用）
├── 民法（権利・責任）
├── 個人情報保護法（データ）
└── 道路交通法（地上接点）
第2層 — 飛行場所別の法令（選択的適用）
├── 河川法 / 海岸法 / 港則法
├── 自然公園法 / 都市公園法
├── 森林法 / 文化財保護法
└── 各自治体条例
第3層 — 事業運営の法令（事業者のみ）
├── 行政書士法（申請代行）
├── 特定商取引法（オンラインサービス）
├── 製造物責任法（機体の欠陥）
└── 電気通信事業法 / 外為法
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1-4. Operator Classification & Category System / 飛行カテゴリー制度
Since 5 December 2022, all drone flights in Japan are classified into four categories:
| Category / カテゴリー | Description / 概要 | Aircraft Certification / 機体認証 | Pilot Certification / 技能証明 | Permit Required / 許可 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ⅰ | Non-specific flight (特定飛行に非該当) | — | — | Not required |
| ⅡA | Specific flight with site management (立入管理措置あり) | — | — | Required |
| ⅡB | Specific flight with certified aircraft + pilot | Second Class (第二種) or above | Second Class (二等) or above | Not required (some exceptions) |
| Ⅲ | Flight over populated areas without site management (Level 4) | First Class (第一種) | First Class (一等) | Required |
Specific Flight (特定飛行) — 10 Restricted Types:
Restricted Airspace (法132条の85):
- Airport vicinity airspace / 空港等周辺の空域
- Above 150m AGL / 地表または水面から150m以上の空域
- Densely Inhabited Districts (DID) / 人口集中地区上空
- Emergency operations airspace / 緊急用務空域
Restricted Flight Methods (法132条の86第2項):
- Night flight / 夜間飛行
- Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) / 目視外飛行
- Within 30m of people or objects / 人・物件から30m未満の飛行
- Over gatherings / 催し場所上空
- Hazardous material transport / 危険物の輸送
- Dropping objects / 物件の投下
Statutory basis: 航空法第132条の85・第132条の86
1-5. Flight Levels / 飛行レベル（1〜4）
| Level / レベル | Description / 飛行形態 | Visual / 目視 | Location / 場所 | Observers / 補助者 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manual visual flight / 目視内手動操縦 | Within VLOS | Any | — |
| 2 | Automated visual flight / 目視内自動飛行 | Within VLOS | Any | — |
| 3 | BVLOS in unpopulated areas / 無人地帯目視外 | BVLOS | Unpopulated | Required |
| 3.5 | BVLOS with onboard camera / 機上カメラ立入管理 | BVLOS | Unpopulated | Not required (camera substitutes) |
| 4 | BVLOS over populated areas / 有人地帯目視外 | BVLOS | Populated | — |
Level 4 (as of 5 December 2022): Requires First Class pilot certification + First Class aircraft certification (Category III). This is Japan's landmark 2022 reform enabling true urban delivery and inspection operations.
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Quick Decision Matrix
Not sure where to start? Use this matrix to find your path.
| Your Situation | What You Need | Go To |
|---|---|---|
| Hobby pilot, small drone (<250g) | Registration only | Chapter 2 |
| Commercial operator, standard drone | Full pilot certification + registration | Chapter 2–3 |
| Flying near airports or restricted zones | Airspace authorisation required | Chapter 3 |
| Night flights or beyond visual line of sight | Special operational approval | Chapter 3 |
| Incident or accident occurred | Mandatory reporting obligations | Chapter 4 |
| Insurance and maintenance questions | Third-party liability + maintenance log | Chapter 5 |
5-second answer: If your drone weighs more than 250g, you need pilot certification AND aircraft registration before your first flight.