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Japan plans drone ban over U.S. military and SDF facilities, but media fear restrictions on reporting

The Japan Times

The government on Tuesday approved a bill to revise the drone regulation law to prohibit the flying of drones over U.S. military bases and Self-Defense Forces' facilities as part of its measures to prevent terrorist attacks using drones. The government plans to submit the bill to the current Diet session, but news organizations are protesting the move on the grounds it could potentially disrupt newsgathering. Under the bill, the government would also ban drones from flying over venues for this year's Rugby World Cup and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. During those sporting events, only drones controlled by the media providing coverage would be allowed to fly over the venues. Under the existing law, Japan already prohibits drone flights over key facilities such as the Prime Minister's Office and the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.