Flying a drone comes with certain boundaries. In Japan, breaking these boundaries may end up with you in jail. Yes, Japan is tightening their regulations regarding drone flying, and their newest one prohibits drunk people from flying one.
If caught, they can face jail sentences up to over a year, or a fine of up to 300,000 Yen ($2500+).
Drunk Disorder
The newest drone regulation applies to drones over 200 grams. Similar with other regulations, this gives it power to nearly all recreational drones. Only the smallest indoor drones are exempted, so you have to be very careful. Always check if the drone you are about to fly is over the weight limit, and know what the regulations are locally.
The Weight it carries
Flying a drone and driving a car now have striking parallels between them. In addition, it would seem that flying a drone is near equivalent to driving a car. While driving a car drunk can lead to accidents to both people and property, a smaller drone can still do as much damage. Poorly handled drone use can create chaos – especially in high traffic areas.
Airports for instance have been plagued with drone incidents. These incidents have grown exponentially over the years, as drones become more available to the public for purchase. With cheaper drones available in every gadget shop, it is only inevitable that irresponsible use would rise in occurrence.
More Restrictions
Apart from not allowing drunk people to fly drones, Japan also has a number of regulations designed to improve safety in today’s world of drones. Airports, similar to a growing number of countries globally, are off limits. There is a 2-5 kilometer ban for drones, and any drone operator caught flying within the boundaries can receive heavy fines. Flying over crowds, private residences, and indoor public buildings are a no-no. For drone operators, make sure you are familiar with the local rules before flying, especially if you are a visiting tourist.
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