Police in Tokyo are investigating reports of drones seen flying Thursday night over the imperial palace, the Akasaka Estate, as well as near the Musashino Imperial Graveyard in Hachioji.
Riot police on guard around the Imperial Palace reported seeing drones, flashing red and white lights, at around 8 p.m. Thursday, Fuji TV reported. Drones were also seen between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. over the nearby Akasaka Estate where Emperor Naruhito and his family live.
Current laws strictly prohibit the flying of drones within Tokyo’s downtown areas, which encompass the Imperial Palace, the Diet building, the prime minister’s official residence and other buildings. Airports are also off-limits to drones.
Furthermore, drones are banned from flying anywhere in Japan at night.
According to police reports, several eyewitnesses claimed to have first seen the drones above Sakuradamon, heading toward the Hanzomon area. Police believe more than one drone was flying in the area.
Another drone was spotted near the Musashino Imperial Graveyard, where Emperor Naruhito’s great-grandfather and grandfather are buried.
© Japan Today
11 Comments
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ClippetyClop
Ruining It For Everyone
Yubaru
Next time, shoot them down, if the drone is stationary, it should not be all that hard to hit it.
MIZUNO EMIKO
Like France,would Japanese police also try to hunt drone with eagle employing falconer.
lolozo79
I know what it was. Covert North Korean espionage. Or errant right wing miscreants bent on ensuring the safety of the new emperor. Or possibly a Japanese dude going by the name of Taro. (English equivalent would be Derek, Jerry, or Roger.) You know, a 40-something recluse living with his mommy. This was his deed of the day. Nothing else to see here folks. Let's move along.
Bugle Boy of Company B
Some of these laws only apply to certain kinds of drones.
Darren
Drones are pretty easy to disrupt control radio signal with cheap directional jamming radio device
Chop Chop
Why the police didn't shoot down with Shotgun?
Yubaru
How in the world is an eagle going to take down a drone without the chance of it being injured itself?
Yubaru
Specifically which laws are you referring to? As all drones are prohibited, in the following areas.
ShavedNuts
If you don't like them, stop selling them.
Bugle Boy of Company B
Flying at night.
Flying within 30 meters of people, buildings and cars.
Keeping within line of sight.
There are probably more.
Those laws apply to drones that weigh over 200 grams. True, that's most drones, but still, the law is clear.