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 ?

 

[RadekJ]

I’m taking my Mini 2 to Japan tomorrow and it’s good to see some fresh information about that as I read contradictory information all over the web.
I already registered my drone on the Japanese civil aviation website (awaiting confirmation to make the payment), so fingers crossed this will work fine.

 

[Freddy K]

Hi @RadekJ
You say you already registered your Mini 2 BEFORE going to Japan.
Didn't you need to enter your Remote ID during this registration (which you don't see unless you're in Japan)?

@always.mb
I will be going to Japan in October.

 

[Freddy K]

UPDATE
I am in the process of registering my Mini 2 for my trip to Japan in October.

1. Creating an account on the website: Done
2. Entering details of my drone: Done
3. Sending screenshots of my passport to confirm who I am: Done
4. Waiting for confirmation by mail (next day): OK
5. Payment of fee (1430 Yen / 8.5€ / 8.5$): Done

I am now waiting for final confirmation and reception of my registration ID that I should then put on my drone.
All in all, the registration went pretty flawless and is very well explained (if you make the effort of reading the help pages).

I found the following YouTube video extremely helpful:
Guide to REGISTER your drone in JAPAN
It explains, step-by-step, the complete registration process in an easy to follow manner.

I have also installed the Drone Maps Japan app on my Android phone that will tell me where I can and cannot fly.

I also learned that the Remote ID of the drone is the same as the Aircraft Serial Number (which, in hindsight, makes sense)
You can find this in the DJI Fly app under Profile-> Device Management
and also on the sticker inside the battery compartment of the drone.

 

[Split-Infinitive]

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?

Yes you can register before, and its worth doing so. It takes a few days.

Once ID checked (a few days) you can register the drone. Once that is done you receive a link which via the MLIT app links to DJI Fly and downloads the RID certificate to the drone.

ITs not just a case of RID - you need that certificate uploaded to the drone to be legal. Then it'll automatically enable IN Japan.
Remote ID is NOT the same as the serial number. Theres a checksum code after it.