Remote ID for Mini 2 in Japan

[Freddy K]

Hi everyone,

in october I am planning to go to Japan for holidays and I want to bring my Mini 2 with me.
I have already looked up the regulations for flying a drone in Japan and apparently every drone > 100gr needs to have a Remote ID.

I have found several posts here about Holy Stone and Roku RID modules with links to amazon, but these RID modules (or any other brand) do NOT show up in the European Amazon websites.

Are there any europeans here on the forum who have bought such an RID module. And if so, where did you get them?

 

[TalesFromOurPocket]

I've traveled to Japan with my Mini2 many times since Japan reopened for travelers. Believe it or not, Remote ID just works in Japan on the Mini2. Based on the location, DJI opens it up for you. There's no need to buy a transponder.

Unfortunately there's no way to test it before you go because of your location.

Be careful with the MANY restrictions on where you can fly in Japan. Urban flying is forbidden. Rural is OK but not in national parks or near religious sites. Even as a YT content creator it's barely worth bringing it to Japan.

 

[Freddy K]

This is excellent and unexpected information.
I double-checked this with ChatGPT and he/she confirmed it.

Is it possible to register a Mini 2 BEFORE going to Japan, or do I need to be there to get access to the RID information?

 

[TalesFromOurPocket]

I don't remember the process exactly I'm afraid (October of 2022). I did it once I was in Japan and it was pretty painless and it didn't require a Japanese phone# or anything. You could always try before you leave on the trip.

If I recall correctly the registration is good for 5 years.

 

[always.mb]

I don't remember the process exactly I'm afraid (October of 2022). I did it once I was in Japan and it was pretty painless and it didn't require a Japanese phone# or anything. You could always try before you leave on the trip.

If I recall correctly the registration is good for 5 years.

Curious - what should we look for to confirm that it actually turned on in Japan ? Thanks.

 

[TalesFromOurPocket]

It's been a while, but my recollection is that it simply opened up those portions of the menu that weren't available previously. I didn't take any screenshots unfortunately and I'm not currently in Japan to test it.

 

[always.mb]

I managed to contact DJI support in Japan and they confirmed the firmware will turn on RID if GPS detects that it is in Japan (but reminded me that I have to do all the proper registrations ..etc. before flying). here's their response:

DJI Mini 2に関してはRIDが内蔵されており、GPSがご利用地域を日本と認識できれば、日本のRIDへ自動的に切り替わりますが、
日本でご利用いただく場合は、国土交通省へ機体登録の手続きを行った後に、RIDインポートの手続きが必要となります。

For the DJI Mini 2, RID (Remote ID) is built-in, and if the GPS recognizes that the operating region is Japan,
it will automatically switch to the Japanese RID. However, when using the drone in Japan,
you must complete the aircraft registration with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism (MLIT), and then proceed with the RID import process.

- Hope this helps

@Freddy K Curious did you eventually make it to Japan and tried out your Mini 2 ?