Japan Lifts Upper Limit on Drones Operated by One Pilot

Tokyo, June 22 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s transport ministry has lifted the upper limit on the number of drones that can be operated by a single pilot at the same time, officials said. Previously, the number was set at five. Removing the limit is aimed at optimizing logistics and infrastructure inspections, and at making damage assessment and search operations more effective during disasters. In March 2025, the ministry set guidelines for using multiple drones at once. It revised the guidelines to lift the upper limit. The guidelines are for cases in which drones fly outside a pilot’s visible range in “unmanned areas” without third-party access. As the number of drones increases, so do burdens on operators and the potential for problems. To avoid issues, the guidelines list possible risks and measures. These include showing the aircraft number of each drone on the screen of the operation system to prevent mix-ups. In order to prepare for potential communication disruptions, operators are advised to check the local communication environment and confirm the number of drones that can be operated safely in the airspace. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]