Japan outlaws flying drone aircraft while under the influence of alcohol

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — It will soon be illegal to fly drones while under the influence of alcohol in Japan, something that was already prohibited on U.S. military facilities, according to American and Japanese officials.

The ban will come into force by the end of September as part of a June 19 revision to Japan’s Civil Aeronautics Law, officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said last week.

“It is necessary to tighten operational rules on unmanned aircraft to prevent accidents and quickly respond when accidents happen as unmanned aircraft have grown in popularity,” the ministry said in a news release.

The new rules, which apply to drones weighing more than 7 ounces, don’t affect American personnel operating drones on military bases, Japanese officials said.

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