The U.S. military has asked the Japanese government to stop people from buzzing its military bases with remote-controlled aircraft that may pose safety and security risks.
The U.S. military has asked the Japanese government to prohibit people from flying Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or drones over American military bases due to safety and security risks.
Adm. Harry Harris, head of U.S Pacific Command, asked for action on the drone flights during a meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera in November of 2017.
After a drone crashed onto the roof of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s residence in April 2015, Japan banned them from flying over airports, densely populated areas, and above 492 feet without permission. Another Japanese law bans drone flights over important facilities such as the National Diet building, Imperial Palace, nuclear power plants and embassies.
But, those rules don’t apply to U.S. military facilities. Officials worry that terrorists, who have used drones in attacks in Iraq, might use one to strike an overseas American military base. Following Harris’ request, the Japanese government is looking at revising its laws to cover U.S. bases.