Tokyo police have launched a unit to catch suspicious airborne drones. New rules on drone use came into effect on Thursday.
The unit was formed in response to the landing of a drone on the roof of the Prime Minister’s Office last April.
The riot police unit is equipped with a large catcher drone. The multicopter device is about 1 meter in diameter and has a net that’s 3 meters long and 2 meters wide. Police video shows the drone capturing a target in the net.
Police officials say the team is the first of its kind in the country.
The new rules require operators to get government approval to fly drones or other unmanned aircraft near airports or in densely populated areas.
Officials say the unit will start round-the-clock operations on a trial basis this month around the Prime Minister’s Office and other major facilities.
From : NHK WORLD News Dec. 10, 2015 – Updated 15:30 UTC+7
Link : http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20151210_32.html
