The government will establish a system to certify the safety of drones and plans to submit a bill to revise the Civil Aeronautics Law in next year's Diet session, aiming to have the regulatory framework operational in 2022.
A system to issue operator licenses will be introduced at the same time to ensure the safety of flights in high-risk situations, such as flying over urban areas.
The envisaged certification system is similar to the one in place for motor vehicles. Drones will undergo safety inspections performed mainly by private institutions. Drone operators will be required to maintain the aircraft, and the government will order owners to perform maintenance if necessary.
Manufacturers will be mandated to report any aircraft design defects to the government.
The government intends to simplify the certification process for drone models that have already been certified.
The bill also includes the creation of a pilot license system based on examinations for theoretical use and practical application to determine piloting skill levels and knowledge. First-class and second-class qualification categories will be established depending on aircraft types and other factors.
The government plans to limit flights to those of a certified aircraft by a license holder in places such as urban areas beyond the pilot's line of sight. Violators will be subject to fines and other penalties.
By strengthening safety measures, the government hopes to encourage the use of drones for such purposes as the delivery of medicines in sparsely populated areas.
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