Japan Drone Laws 2026: Complete MLIT Compliance Guide for Foreign and Commercial Operators

The Bottom Line

Any drone of 100 g or more must be registered in MLIT’s DIPS 2.0 portal (¥900–¥2,400, valid three years) and broadcast Remote ID. Ten flight situations are restricted — including densely inhabited districts (which cover essentially every Japanese city), night, BVLOS, and within 30 m of people — requiring an MLIT permission (10 business days ahead for Category II, 20 for Category III) or a licence-plus-certification pathway. Foreign visitors can register and apply, but need Japan’s giteki radio mark — and 5.8 GHz FPV is effectively off-limits. Insurance is mandatory for 25 kg+ drones since October 1, 2025. Penalties reach two years imprisonment or ¥1,000,000.

Section 1

The Regulatory Framework: Civil Aeronautics Act and MLIT

Japanese drone law rests on the Civil Aeronautics Act, administered by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). Three reform waves built today’s system: the 2015 amendment creating the restricted-flight regime after a drone landed on the Prime Minister’s residence; the June 2022 amendment introducing 100 g registration and Remote ID; and the December 2022 amendment creating national pilot licences, type certification, and Category III (Level 4) flight over uninvolved people.

Everything runs through one portal: DIPS 2.0 (ossportal.dips.mlit.go.jp) — registration, licences, permissions, flight plan notification, and airspace maps, with an English interface available. As of September 30, 2025, 352,976 drones were registered.

Two other laws operate alongside: the Small UAV Flight Prohibition Act banning flight around government and defence facilities regardless of drone weight, and the Radio Act requiring technical conformity (giteki) certification for transmitters.

Source: Unmanned Aircraft Systems — MLIT →

Section 2

Category I, II, and III: How Japan Classifies Flights

Japan classifies the flight, not the drone. The question is whether your operation touches restricted airspace or a restricted flight method, and whether third parties are excluded.

Category	Definition	What You Need	Lead Time
I	No restricted airspace or flight method involved	Registration + Remote ID + basic rules	None
II	Restricted flight with third parties excluded from the area	MLIT permission/approval via DIPS 2.0 — or licence pathway: second-class licence + type-certificated drone under 25 kg + exclusion measures	~10 business days
III	Restricted flight where third parties may be present (Level 4)	First-class licence + first-class type-certificated drone + MLIT permission	~20 business days

The famous “levels” describe use cases: Level 1 (VLOS piloted), Level 2 (VLOS automated), Level 3 (BVLOS over unpopulated areas), Level 3.5 (BVLOS along roads using onboard cameras, since December 2023), and Level 4 (BVLOS over inhabited areas — Category III).

Section 3

Registration, Remote ID, and the 100 g Rule

Since June 20, 2022, every unmanned aircraft of 100 g or more (battery included) must be registered before flight — the strictest threshold among major drone nations.

¥900

Online registration with a My Number card; ¥1,450 by other online verification; ¥2,400 by paper. Valid three years

352,976

Drones registered in Japan as of September 30, 2025 — first three-year renewals began in 2025

Mark the registration ID (JU-prefixed) legibly on the airframe
Remote ID broadcasting is mandatory for drones registered after June 20, 2022 — built-in or external module — except in specific exempted zones with prior notification
Registration is per-aircraft and renewable every three years through DIPS 2.0
Foreign owners may register — no residency requirement

Source: UAS Registration — MLIT →

Section 4

Remote Pilot Licences: First-Class and Second-Class

Japan’s national licences (December 2022) are optional for many operations — but unlock the pathways that make repeated commercial flying practical.

Second-Class (Nitou)

The Category II Simplifier

With a type-certificated drone under 25 kg and third-party exclusion, second-class holders conduct most restricted flights without per-flight MLIT approval — ending the 10-business-day wait for every DID, night, or BVLOS job. Minimum age 16; academic + practical exams or a registered training school course; valid three years.

First-Class (Ittou)

The Level 4 Key

Required for Category III flight over areas where third parties may be present. Combined with a first-class type-certificated aircraft and per-flight MLIT permission. As of September 12, 2025, only one drone model held first-class type certification — Level 4 remains a carefully supervised frontier.

Licence exams are administered through designated bodies with records in DIPS 2.0. Renewal every three years keeps privileges active.

Section 5

The Ten Restricted Flight Situations

Four airspace restrictions and six flight-method restrictions define Japanese drone compliance. Touch any one and you are in Category II or III territory.

#	Restriction	Type	Detail
1	150 m or more above ground/water	Airspace	Manned-aviation altitudes
2	Airport surroundings	Airspace	Approach and departure surfaces
3	Densely inhabited districts (DID)	Airspace	≥5,000 people/km² — covers all major cities
4	Emergency-operation airspace	Airspace	Disaster and rescue zones — absolute priority to manned aircraft
5	Night flight	Method	Outside sunrise–sunset
6	BVLOS	Method	Naked-eye standard — binoculars and FPV goggles count as BVLOS
7	Within 30 m of people or property	Method	Third parties and their vehicles/buildings
8	Event sites	Method	Festivals, exhibitions, sports events
9	Hazardous materials transport	Method	Fuels, chemicals, fireworks
10	Object dropping	Method	Including spraying

Flight plan notification is separate and mandatory. Before any restricted flight, file the flight plan in DIPS 2.0 — flying an approved route without notification is itself a violation.

Section 6

The Foreign Visitor’s Playbook

Japan welcomes foreign drone operators on paper — DIPS 2.0 registration and MLIT permissions are open to non-residents, in English. The traps are elsewhere:

The Giteki Radio Mark

Your drone and controller must carry Japan’s technical conformity mark under the Radio Act. Current DJI consumer models sold globally generally comply — but verify the specific unit. Operating non-conforming radio equipment is an offence independent of aviation law.

FPV Is Effectively Off-Limits

5.8 GHz video transmission requires a Japanese amateur or business radio licence plus station registration — impractical for a visit. Stick to 2.4 GHz systems with the giteki mark.

Plan Three Weeks Ahead

Registration identity checks without a My Number card take longer, and Category II permissions need ~10 business days. Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka are DID airspace with layered park ordinances — assume every urban shot needs paperwork or is simply prohibited.

Respect the Prohibition Act Zones

Government buildings, the Imperial Palace, defence sites, nuclear facilities, and major airports carry 300 m no-fly perimeters under the Small UAV Flight Prohibition Act — applying even to sub-100 g toys, with police empowered to intervene immediately.

Section 7

Insurance and the 2025 Changes

October 1, 2025 — liability insurance became mandatory for drones of 25 kg or more; lighter drones face no nationwide mandate, but permissions and contracts assume cover in practice
March 2025 — MLIT guidelines enabled one operator flying multiple drones simultaneously, unlocking swarm inspection and logistics models
Mid-2025 — the first three-year registration renewals came due for drones registered at the June 2022 launch
November 2024 — the national roadmap was restructured around expanding usage areas (logistics, inspection, disaster response); a UTM system is targeted from fiscal year 2026 onward

Section 8

Penalties: Criminal Enforcement

Unlike the administrative-fine models of North America and Europe, Japan enforces drone law through criminal penalties — and police enforce them.

Violation	Penalty (up to)
Flying an unregistered drone	1 year imprisonment or ¥500,000
Restricted flight without permission (DID, night, BVLOS, 30 m, altitude, events)	¥500,000 fine
Flying under the influence of alcohol or medication	1 year imprisonment or ¥300,000
Most serious violations (e.g. failing to render aid after an accident)	2 years imprisonment or ¥1,000,000
Small UAV Flight Prohibition Act zones	1 year imprisonment or ¥500,000; immediate police action

Foreign visitors have been arrested for unauthorised flights over landmarks — a criminal record in Japan can affect future entry. When in doubt, do not launch.

Section 9

Japan vs Canada vs US vs UK vs EU vs Australia

Aspect	Japan	Canada	US	UK	EU	Australia
Regulator	MLIT	Transport Canada	FAA	CAA	EASA + national	CASA
Registration threshold	100 g	250 g	250 g	250 g / camera	Operator-based	>500 g (levy)
Remote ID	✓ Since 2022	✗	✓	Planned	✓ Class-marked	✗
Urban flight default	DID = restricted citywide	Advanced ops	Waiver/over-people rules	A2/Specific	Specific/SORA	Approval-based
Flight over people	Level 4 legal since 2022	Advanced + declared drone	Category 1–4 rules	Specific category	Specific category	Case-by-case
Routine BVLOS	Level 3/3.5 + Cat III	✓ L1 Complex (2025)	Waiver (Part 108 pending)	Specific category	SORA	ReOC approval
Enforcement model	Criminal (imprisonment)	Administrative fines	Civil penalties	Criminal + fines	Member-state	Administrative fines
Foreign visitors	DIPS open + giteki trap	SFOC required	FAA recognition	Operator/flyer ID	One-state registration	CASA accreditation

Read the companion guides: Canada, US, UK, EU, and Australia.

Section 10

Pre-Flight Compliance Checklist

#	Item	Status
1	Drone (≥100 g) registered in DIPS 2.0; registration within its three-year validity	□
2	Registration ID marked on airframe; Remote ID broadcasting confirmed	□
3	Giteki radio conformity verified for drone and controller	□
4	DID overlay, airport zones, and 150 m ceiling checked in DIPS 2.0	□
5	Small UAV Flight Prohibition Act facilities checked (300 m perimeters)	□
6	Local ordinances, park rules, and landowner permission confirmed	□
7	Category determined; permission obtained (10/20 business days) or licence pathway satisfied	□
8	Flight plan notified in DIPS 2.0 for restricted flights	□
9	Night/BVLOS equipment requirements met (lighting, observers) where applicable	□
10	Insurance in place (mandatory for 25 kg+; expected for commercial work)	□
11	Pilot licence and documents carried; recency of practice maintained	□
12	Weather, NOTAM-equivalent advisories, and emergency-airspace status checked	□

Section 11

Regulatory Timeline

Dec 2015

Restricted-flight regime created after the Prime Minister’s residence incident Active

Jun 2016

Small UAV Flight Prohibition Act — facility no-fly zones Active

20 Jun 2022

100 g registration + Remote ID take effect Active

5 Dec 2022

National licences, type certification, and Category III / Level 4 flight legalised Active

Dec 2023

Level 3.5 — observer-free BVLOS along roads via onboard cameras Active

Mar 2025

Multiple-drone single-operator guidelines; first registration renewals from mid-2025 Active

1 Oct 2025

Liability insurance mandatory for 25 kg+ drones Active

FY2026+

UTM (unmanned traffic management) system development targeted Future

Section 12

Frequently Asked Questions

Not always — but you almost always need registration, and often a permission. Every drone of 100 g or more must be registered with MLIT and display a Remote ID. A pilot licence (first-class or second-class remote pilot certificate) is not required for Category I flights — flying outside all restricted airspace and flight types. In practice, though, most useful flying in Japan touches a restricted category: densely inhabited districts (DID), night flights, beyond visual line-of-sight, or within 30 metres of people. Those need either an MLIT permission/approval through DIPS 2.0, or a licence plus a type-certificated drone.

Since June 20, 2022, any unmanned aircraft weighing 100 grams or more (including battery) is regulated under Japan's Civil Aeronautics Act. This is one of the world's lowest thresholds — well below the 250 g used in Canada, the US, and the UK. A DJI Mini still falls under full Japanese regulation: registration, Remote ID, and all flight rules apply. Drones under 100 g escape the Aeronautics Act but remain subject to the separate Small UAV Flight Prohibition Act around sensitive facilities, local ordinances, and park rules.

Register through MLIT's DIPS 2.0 portal (available in English). Fees depend on the method: 900 yen online with a My Number card, 1,450 yen by other online identity verification, or 2,400 yen by paper. Registration is valid for three years — the first renewal wave began in 2025, so check your expiry date. As of September 30, 2025, 352,976 drones were registered in Japan. After registering, mark the registration ID on the airframe and ensure Remote ID broadcasting — drones registered after June 20, 2022 must carry a Remote ID module unless flying in specific exempted zones.

Yes. DIPS 2.0 accepts registrations from non-residents, and MLIT permissions are open to foreign operators — there is no residency or citizenship requirement. Plan ahead: identity verification without a My Number card takes longer, and permission applications must be lodged at least 10 business days (Category II) before the flight. The bigger trap for visitors is radio law: your drone and transmitter must carry Japan's technical conformity (giteki) mark. Most current DJI models sold globally have it — but 5.8 GHz FPV equipment generally requires a Japanese radio licence, making casual FPV flying effectively off-limits for tourists.

Category I: flights that touch no restricted airspace or flight type — no permission needed, just registration and the basic rules. Category II: restricted flights with measures to exclude third parties from the area; many Category II flights can proceed without individual MLIT approval if the pilot holds at least a second-class licence, flies a type-certificated drone under 25 kg, and establishes third-party exclusion; otherwise a DIPS permission/approval is required about 10 business days ahead. Category III: restricted flights over areas where third parties may be present — Level 4 flight. This is the highest tier, requiring a first-class licence, a first-class type-certificated drone, and an MLIT permission about 20 business days ahead.

Airspace restrictions: (1) altitude of 150 metres or more above ground or water, (2) around airports, (3) above densely inhabited districts (DID) — areas with 5,000 or more people per square kilometre, and (4) emergency-operation airspace such as disaster areas. Flight-method restrictions: (5) night flight (outside sunrise to sunset), (6) beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) with the naked eye, (7) within 30 metres of people or property, (8) over event sites such as festivals and exhibitions, (9) transporting hazardous materials, and (10) dropping objects. Any of these makes your flight Category II or III.

A DID is a census-defined area with a population density of 5,000 or more per square kilometre. Virtually all of central Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and every major Japanese city is DID airspace — meaning drone flight there requires a permission (or licence-plus-certification pathway) even in your own garden. Check the DID overlay in DIPS 2.0 before assuming a location is clear. Combined with the separate Small UAV Flight Prohibition Act zones around government buildings, the Imperial Palace, defence facilities, and airports, urban Japan is effectively a no-fly zone without paperwork.

Japan introduced national remote pilot licences in December 2022. The second-class licence (nitou) unlocks simplified Category II operations — restricted flights without per-flight approval when combined with a type-certificated drone under 25 kg and third-party exclusion. The first-class licence (ittou) is required for Category III / Level 4 flight over uninvolved people. Both require passing academic and practical examinations (or completing a registered training school course), minimum age 16, and are valid for three years with renewal.

Level 4 means BVLOS flight over inhabited areas without excluding third parties — the holy grail for urban drone delivery. It became legal in December 2022 for first-class licence holders flying first-class type-certificated aircraft under a Category III permission. Adoption remains gradual: as of September 12, 2025, only one drone model held first-class type certification, and Category III permissions involve rigorous operational scrutiny. Level 3.5, introduced in December 2023, eases infrastructure inspection and delivery along roads by using onboard cameras instead of ground observers.

Since October 1, 2025, liability insurance is mandatory for drones of 25 kg or more. For lighter drones, insurance is not legally required nationwide but is expected in practice: most Category II/III permission applications, municipal filming permits, and commercial contracts assume liability cover, and DJI drones sold in Japan typically include first-year coverage. Given that drone incidents can trigger unlimited civil liability, flying uninsured is a false economy.

Both are restricted flight methods. Night flight (outside sunrise-to-sunset) requires either an MLIT approval through DIPS 2.0 or the licence-plus-certification pathway, plus aircraft lighting. BVLOS similarly requires approval or a licence pathway; the naked-eye standard means even first-person-view goggles count as BVLOS unless an observer maintains direct sight. Level 3.5 flight allows observer-free BVLOS along roads under specific conditions for licensed pilots. Category III BVLOS over people demands the full first-class licence and type-certificated aircraft.

Japan enforces drone law with criminal penalties, not just administrative fines. Flying an unregistered drone: up to one year imprisonment or a 500,000 yen fine. Violating flight rules (DID, night, BVLOS, 30 m, altitude) without permission: fines up to 500,000 yen. Flying under the influence of alcohol: up to one year imprisonment or 300,000 yen. The most serious violations, such as failing to stop after an accident, reach two years imprisonment or 1,000,000 yen. Police actively enforce, and foreign visitors have been arrested for unauthorised flights over landmarks.

Under the Small UAV Flight Prohibition Act — separate from the Aeronautics Act and applying even to sub-100 g drones — flight is banned over and around national government buildings, the Imperial Palace, foreign missions, defence facilities, nuclear sites, and designated airports, with 300-metre perimeter zones. Additionally, most national parks and virtually all municipal parks in Tokyo and other major cities prohibit drones by ordinance, and shrines, temples, and castles routinely ban take-offs from their grounds. Always layer four checks: Aeronautics Act airspace, Prohibition Act facilities, local ordinances, and landowner permission.

Japan is stricter at the entry level and more codified at the advanced level. Its 100 g registration threshold is lower than the 250 g used in Canada, the US, and the UK. Its DID restriction blankets entire cities, unlike the targeted controlled-airspace model elsewhere. Remote ID has been mandatory since 2022 — earlier than the US. At the same time, Japan legalised Level 4 flight over people in 2022, ahead of most jurisdictions, and its licence-plus-type-certification pathway resembles the EU's category system more than the US Part 107 single-certificate model.

The Drone/UAS Information Platform System — MLIT's one-stop portal (ossportal.dips.mlit.go.jp) handling aircraft registration, pilot licence records, flight permissions and approvals, flight plan notification, and airspace information including DID overlays. The 2.0 version consolidated the old separate systems (DIPS, DRS, FISS) into one account. An English interface is available, and foreign operators apply through the same portal. Flight plan notification before restricted flights is a legal obligation — skipping it is itself a violation.

Recent changes: mandatory liability insurance for 25 kg+ drones (October 1, 2025); MLIT guidelines enabling one operator to fly multiple drones simultaneously (March 2025); the first registration renewal wave (three-year validity, from mid-2025); and Level 3.5 flight (December 2023). Coming next: MLIT targets development of a UTM (unmanned traffic management) system from fiscal year 2026 onward, and the November 2024 roadmap restructured policy around expanding usage areas — logistics, inspection, and disaster response — rather than the old level-based phases.

Section 13

Official Sources

All regulatory content in this guide is traceable to official Japanese government publications. Verify current rules before every operation.

MLIT — Unmanned Aircraft Systems (English) — central rules hub
DIPS 2.0 Portal — registration, licences, permissions, flight plans
MLIT — Unmanned Aircraft Rules (Japanese) — detailed procedures and notices
National Police Agency — Small UAV Flight Prohibition Act — facility no-fly zones
MIC Radio Use Portal — giteki conformity and radio licensing

Takayuki Sawai

Gyoseishoshi (Certified Administrative Scrivener) practising in Japan — the licensed profession that prepares MLIT drone applications. Drone law compliance researcher covering 10 countries. Over 20 years at Hiroshima Prefectural Government.

Start Flying Legally in Japan

Track Civil Aeronautics Act changes, DID airspace, and DIPS procedures with confidence.

Get started free 10-country regulation finder →

Compliance score → ROI calculator →

Japan Drone Laws 2026: The Complete MLIT Compliance Guide