Japan Cabinet approves land acquisition restrictions near defense facilities

The Japanese government has approved a bill to strengthen land-use regulations around security-critical facilities. The proposed amendment to the Land Use Regulation Act aims to mitigate risks such as drone attacks by designating areas within approximately 1,000 meters of Self-Defense Forces bases and Japan Coast Guard facilities, as well as uninhabited border islands, as “regulated zones.”

Under the new system, land transactions within these zones will require prior government approval. The bill seeks to prohibit the transfer of ownership to foreign governments, foreign military personnel, and entities or individuals obligated to cooperate with foreign military or intelligence activities. Economic Security Minister Kimi Onoda stated that the measure is necessary to prevent the use of land as bases for new types of warfare, such as drone attacks, which are increasingly difficult to detect.

Transactions conducted without the required prior permission will be deemed invalid, and the transfer of ownership will not be recognized. The government aims to pass the legislation during the current Diet session.