Japan Police Launch Talks on Stricter Drone Rules

Tokyo, Oct. 7 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s National Police Agency on Tuesday held the first meeting of an expert panel on measures against illegal drone flights, in light of the growing threat of drones being used for terrorism and other purposes. The panel plans to compile a report by the end of the year on expanding the list of no-fly zones and penalties, with a view to revising the drone control law. The law was established in 2016 in the wake of an incident in which a drone fell on the roof of the prime minister’s office in Tokyo. It currently bans drone flights within about 300 meters of important facilities such as the National Diet Building, the Imperial Palace and nuclear power plants. The law was revised in 2019 and 2020 to increase the no-fly zone list to cover Self-Defense Forces facilities and airports. According to the NPA, drone performance has improved dramatically since the law was enacted. Even drones available at retail stores are now able to fly several times faster and carry objects several times heavier. Some overseas products can fly at speeds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour. The NPA has decided to consider tightening the regulations, out of concerns that police could not take time to respond even if drones are detected. The NPA is also considering tougher penalties. Flying drones over key facilities is currently subject to an immediate penalty of either up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 500,000 yen. Meanwhile, penalties for drones remaining around such facilities are applied only in limited cases, such as failure to comply with a police warning. While all past cases in which police took action involved drones entering the premises of such facilities, the expert panel will discuss lowering the hurdle for imposing penalties on drone flights around these facilities. The panel will also consider designating temporary no-fly zones around accommodation facilities where domestic dignitaries are staying, and restricting drone flights near international event venues before the events begin. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]