Necessary Procedures based on the Drone Act

In principle, the flight of small unmanned aircraft system, etc., is prohibited over the airspace above premises or areas (Red Zone) of important facilities and the surrounding area of approximately 300 meters of the Red Zone (Yellow Zone).
 
When flying a small unmanned aircraft system, etc. in Red / Yellow Zone, 
 
(ⅰ)  The flight must be exempt from the prohibition, such as by obtaining consent from the administrator of the relevant facility.
 
(ⅱ)  Notification of the flight information to the Prefectural Public Safety Commission (PPSC) is required at least 48 hours before the flight.
 
(ⅲ)  Depending on the facility, notification of the flight information to the related entity is required additionally.

 

The details of (ⅱ) and (ⅲ) are below.

　How to report to a PPSC via a police station

Notification of the flight information to the Prefectural Public Safety Commission (PPSC) via the police station having jurisdiction is required at least 48 hours before the flight.
In case of a flight in Red / Yellow Zone of the Imperial Palace or the Akasaka Estate, notification of the flight information to the Chief of Imperial Guard Headquarters via the same police station is also required.

The necessary procedures are as follows.

Submit the prescribed form

・Submit the prescribed form to the police station having jurisdiction over the Red / Yellow Zone included in your flight at least 48 hours before the flight.
・Attach a map showing the flight area to the form.
Form (Japanese)

Submit proof of exemption

・Submit a copy of written consent from the administrator of the relevant facility or the owner, etc. of the relevant land.
・When performing the duties of the national or local governments, submit a copy of the proof (e.g., a contract).

Show your aircraft at the police station

・Show your aircraft, etc., at the police station.
・If it is difficult to do so, submit a photo of it instead.

　How to report to a PPSC online

Instead of reporting at a police station, you can report online via  e-Gov (Japanese). 

Please take note of the arrival number displayed on the screen after completing the online procedure or the reception number written in the notification sent after confirmation by the police, and present it to the police officer if requested when flying a small unmanned aircraft system, etc.
 
[Attention]
・When the flight area extends over multiple jurisdictions in the same prefecture, you only have to report to one police station.
・When the flight area extends over multiple prefectures, you have to report to all PPSCs which have jurisdiction.
・In unavoidable cases such as a disaster, you only have to report your flight information orally prior to the flight.
（In such cases, you must obtain the necessary consent prior to the notification to PPSC.）
 
[Information]
For the details of the notification to the PPSC, please ask the police station with jurisdiction over the relevant facility.

　How to report to the Commander of a Regional Coast Guard Headquarters（sea area）

When flying a small unmanned aircraft system, etc. in Red / Yellow Zone  including sea area, notification of the flight information to the Commander of the Regional Coast Guard Headquarters via a coast guard office is required additionally.

[Information]
For the details of the notification to the Commander of the Regional Coast Guard Headquaters, please contact the coast guard office with jurisdiction over the zone.

　How to report to facility administrators（defense facilities and airports）

When flying a small unmanned aircraft system, etc. in Red / Yellow Zone of a defense facility or an airport covered by the Drone Act, notification of the flight information to the administrator of the facility is required additionally.

[Information]
For the details of the notification to the facility administrator, please ask the administrator.
● Ministry of Defense website (English)
● Ministry of Land, Infrastracture, Traffic and Tourism website (Japanese)

Links

〇 About the Drone Act (NPA HP)

〇 About the Civil Aeronautics Act (MLIT HP)

〇 Japanese page（NPA HP）