According to the new law, drones will be able to fly over manned areas, including urban areas, and this is expected to help alleviate the manpower shortage in various industries in Japan, which is a major concern.
Under the new amendment, the company’s current regulations will relax the conditions for flying over urban areas.
Flights in Japan
Currently, the problem of manpower shortage in Japan is dominated by the logistics industry, and it is spreading into many other industries, and these companies are making preparations for the official use of drones after the amendment of the law.
This is a reflection of the fact that these industries are looking forward to the official use of drones.
The amendment allows Class 4 flights
Several drone flight levels exist in Japan.
In class 1 aircraft can be used for aerial photography and bridge inspection, while in class 2, the aircraft can be operated for self-regulation, mainly for agriculture spraying; in class 3, flying outside the visual field is primarily for logistics in mountainous areas and outlying islands; in class 4, flying outside the visual field is primarily for logistics in urban areas.
The amendment allows Class 4 flights, but they must be certified, the operator must hold a certificate of operation, and prior consent is required.
It is anticipated that Japanese drones will expand their use in the logistics industry, the security industry, and aerial photography if they can be flown further in urban areas. They are currently being used extensively for spraying pesticides and inspecting infrastructure.
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An IMPRESS Research Institute study indicates that the market for drone-based services and equipment will be two and a half times greater in 2027 than in 2022, amounting to about 800 billion yen (NT$181.9 billion).
Japanese Transportation Company
The Nishino Holdings company, a large Japanese transportation company, and a drone development company are partnering up to provide food and other services to residents of Yamanashi and Fukui prefectures who live in mountainous areas. Although they do not have the option to fly above populated areas due to current regulations, they can only fly over rivers and other places using circuitous routes in order to avoid causing problems.
The director of Nishino Holdings says they’re happy the revised law allows them to fly the shortest routes. In the future, the company plans to expand its drone service to urban areas.
Drones are also actively used by several Japanese airlines. All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines plan to launch drone-based home delivery business in 2023. These operators have repeatedly tested drones in areas with limited transport, such as outlying islands.
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