Drone cannot move freely in Japan due to certain restrictions (Image via: The Japan Times)

Preparation to Tokyo 2020, No Drones Allowed!

TOKYO - To prepare for 2020 Tokyo Olympics, The Diet – Japanese Parliament – passed the bill to restrict drone from flying in several Olympic sites. The bill was passed on Friday (17/5). For safety and prevention from terrorism, drones will be temporarily forbidden to fly at several sites in Tokyo and in military bases.

The drones movement in Japan is getting more and more restricted as the current ban covered the Imperial Palace and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe’s office, and now covering almost the whole Tokyo. In addition, flying the drones at populated area or at night is also restricted as it is disturbing peace.

Nobody can ever forget the Drone Incident in 2015, when a drone – controlled by Yasuo Yamamoto -- carried radioactive cesium onto Prime Minister’s office, in the wake of anti-nuclear protests. The plan backfired as the drone landed on the roof. After handing himself in, Yamamoto was sentenced to 2 year imprisonment and the drone was confiscated. This was the background of raising the drone ban from airports or flight path to Imperial Palace and Prime Minister’s office by The Diet.

An incident happened in the august ascension of Emperor Naruhito in early May, a drone was seen at Kitanomaru Garden, north of the Imperial Palace, just days before the ascension of Emperor Naruhito to Chrysanthemum Throne.

The other incident happened on Sunday (12/5), when a foreigner flew his/her drone at the famous Shibuya crossroad before being told by the police to put down the drone or face the charges.

Japanese never messes around when it comes to rules and regulations. The first event that will see this ban is the Rugby World Cup that will be held in Japan from 20 September to 2 November.

When will this ban be lifted to the cheer of drone lovers? Maybe after they have learned the code of ethics of flying the drone and obtained the license.

Source: https://www.france24.com/en/20190517-japan-bans-drones-over-olympic-military-sites