News Japan to tighten drone regulations in move to prevent terror threats

It was being reported that the government intended to broaden the areas where drones are barred from flying, a move prompted by growing concern about terrorism as the technology becomes more advanced. At present, airspace over and around specific national sites is treated as a restricted zone, and drones are not permitted within 300 metres of those locations without prior approval. Officials were said to be considering expanding that buffer to roughly 1,000 metres, with the relevant legislation expected to be revised to accommodate the change.

When the Drone Act mandating flight restriction zones came into effect in 2016, drones that flew roughly 50 kilometers per hour were the norm, according to the National Police Agency. Now, drones that can reach speeds of 70 kph to 75 kph have become available to consumers. Under the current law, even if a drone is detected near a sensitive location, there is the risk that there would not be enough time to respond. The National Police Agency will discuss expanding the flight restriction zone with a panel of drone specialists and administrative law experts. A report will be compiled by the end of the year.

Click to expand...

It was suggested that the revised rules would allow officials to expand drone-free zones whenever required, including around the emperor or the prime minister if their real-time movements posed a security concern. The foreign minister was also expected to impose temporary flight bans over sites hosting international conferences or other gatherings of visiting dignitaries. Existing restricted locations — such as embassies, defence installations, airports and nuclear power plants — would continue to fall under the same framework.

The planned changes were said to include stricter penalties as well. Under the new approach, anyone flying a drone without permission within a designated yellow zone would be told to leave immediately, and those who ignored the rules could face up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 500,000 yen (about $3,200).

Paywall alert

After seeing all the videos of drones in Ukraine & Russia being powerful weapons , military around the world are having to make drastic changes to how they will fight against drones in the future.

I bought a tiny HoverAir X1 drone video camera the other day to video me practising Iai. I can make it circle me, videoing all the while whilst perform capturing every bit of action. It's so cool! However I think there's a fault with the video lens as it somehow makes me look old and fat

Watching his moves reminds me of videos of the Russian soldiers when they see a drone above them. They run and twist & turn and the bomb drops and gets them anyway.

mdchachi said:

View attachment 133129

Click to expand...

If only I looked like that