Important Laws in Japan
Knowing the law before you go to Japan is critical to staying clear of a justice system that doesn’t have a great reputation with the international community. Not so much because of the laws on the books, but because of how detainment and investigations are carried out.
For example, legally, anyone can be held in a Japanese jail for 23 days before charges are even filed. More on that at the end of this article.
With a little awareness to the laws below, you can save yourself a world of trouble and confusion with the Japanese justice system.
And just like anywhere else in the world, ignorance of the law is no defense.
Important: This article is not legal advice and I’m not a lawyer. Also, laws change and the information in this article may be outdated. This article is intended as a general starting place to understanding laws. If you have specific legal questions, it’s best to find someone who is qualified to give legal advice.
For military and SOFA personnel/dependents: Be aware that you may be under law and restrictions that differ from the information in this article. Please check with the DoD for the most accurate, up-to-date information.
Always Carry Your Passport
According to Japanese law, you need to be able to prove you’re allowed to be in the country and if you’re just visiting Japan, only your passport can do this.
Though I’ve never been stopped in Okinawa or mainland Japan, and though I’ve never heard of other foreigners being stopped, it’s still wise to carry it with you.
Because Japan is so safe, you don’t need to be so concerned about getting robbed of your passport. Just use common sense, like not leaving it sitting out on a table and take normal steps to avoid losing it.
If you have a visa other than a visitor’s visa, you’ll likely be issued a residence card (and for military and SOFA personnel/dependents, you’ll be issued a DoD ID). This should replace your need to carry around your passport and proves you’re legal to be in Japan. Best to double check though.
Bringing Medication into Japan
It doesn’t matter if it’s an over-the-counter medication back home and it doesn’t matter if you have a prescription from your doctor, if it’s illegal in Japan and the medication is in your possession, you’re likely to get detained and/or arrested.
According to the Japanese Narcotics Control Department, the following are prohibited:
Heroin
Opium powder
Methamphetamine
Amphetamine
Cannabis
Ephedrine (more than 10%)
Pseudoephedrine
Methylephedrine (more than 10%)
Phenylacetic acid (more than 10%)
Norephedrine (phenylpropanolamine) (more than 50%)
Some common medications (over-the-counter and prescriptions) I have read to be illegal in Japan:
Adderall
Actifed
Sudafed
Vicks
According to the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare and NCD, it’s illegal to bring in narcotics and psychotropics into Japan. If they are prescribed back home, then you need special written permission (called “Yakkan Shoumei”) from the MHLW before leaving home.
Also, according to the NCD, even if the medication is allowed, if it comes in injection form, you need a “Yakken-Shoumei.”
I’ve also read the same to be true for inhalers on some websites, though I have not seen that on MHLW’s or NCD’s websites.
According to the U.S. embassy, even if your medication is not prohibited in Japan, it’s recommended to still bring a copy of the prescription from your doctor with an explanation of what it’s for.
Because laws can change, and more importantly because this stuff is a little confusing, I highly recommend making a list of any medications (prescribed or over-the-counter) that you’ll need to bring to Japan, and send an email to the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare to confirm you’re allowed to bring it.
I would also recommend carrying a physical copy of that email, in case there is any trouble.
According to MHLW, you should allow for a minimum of 2 weeks to receive the Yakkan Shoumei. The U.S. embassy says it may take several weeks. Best to plan ahead.
Here are some important links:
Information for those who are bringing medicines for personal use into Japan | MHLW
Import / Export Narcotics or other controlled substances by carrying
Ingredients Name | MHLW
Q&A and Yakkan Shoumei | MHLW
Travel Smart – Travel Safe | US Embassy
DUI = .03 BAC & DWI = .08 BAC
Though Japan is very accepting of drinking, when it comes to drinking and driving the country has very little tolerance. You should be very careful.
Drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of .03 or above are guilty of driving under the influence (DUI).
Drivers with a BAC of .08 or more are guilty of driving while intoxicated (DWI).
The most important thing for foreigners to be aware of is driving the morning after a night of drinking. Many foreigners believe they’re good to drive when they wake up the next morning, however, because their’s still alcohol in their system and the legal limit is so low, they get a DUI.
Most foreigners here in Okinawa get a DUI, not because they’re being reckless, but because of the morning after scenario.
You should also be aware that if you’re a passenger in a car of someone who’s under the influence, you could be prosecuted, as well. This is also true for someone who serves or encourages a driver to drink.
Punishments:
A DUI could land you in prison for up to 3 years and a fine of up to $5,000. A DWI could land you in prison for up to 5 years and a fine of up to $10,000.
If you injure someone you can be in prison for up to 15 years with hard labor, and if you kill someone, it’s up to 20 years with hard labor.
If you provide alcohol to someone or encourage a driver to drink alcohol, the sentence is 2 years in jail or a fine up to $3,000 if the driver gets a DUI.
Daiko Service:
There is no excuse for drinking and driving anywhere in the world. This is especially true in Japan where public transportation and taxis are so easy to come by.
In Japan, foreigners are often surprised when they learn of the convenient taxi service called “daiko.”
A daiko is a taxi service that shows up to your location with 2 drivers: 1 who drives the taxi and the other who drives your car. The drivers shuttle you and your car home. You go to bed, and they both get in the taxi to go pick up their next drunk customer.
No excuses. Don’t drink and drive (even hungover).
No Smoking in Outdoor Public Places
Cigarettes can be bought throughout Japan however, laws are becoming more strict regarding where you can smoke.
In general, it’s illegal to smoke outdoors in many cities with exception to designated areas.
Smoking areas are marked with a large sign with a picture of a cigarette. You can also tell if smoking is allowed as there will be a standing mental ashtray.
Smoking is strictly prohibited on public transportation of any kind, as well as stations, though major stations will have designated smoking areas.
Smoking Inside
Smoking in restaurants and bars is up to the owner of the establishment and generally their pretty easy to find.
For hotels, many establishments still have rooms designated just for smoking, though it’s becoming more common to find hotels that don’t have any smoking rooms, and only allow smoking in designated areas.
Knives are Restricted
Getting consistent numbers on a legal knife size wasn’t easy. I’ve looked at a number of different resources, and most don’t line up.
So, if you absolutely need to carry a knife while in Japan, I highly recommend being extremely cautious and make sure you know the law for certain.
From what I’ve gathered, it’s illegal to carry a blade longer than 6 cm (2.4 inches) without justifiable reason. It’s also illegal to carry scissors or foldable knives with blades longer than 8 cm (3.1 inches).
Guns are Heavily Restricted
In 2017, there were just 22 shooting crimes in Japan. 3 people were killed and 5 injured. And these low numbers have a lot to do with the extremely strict gun laws.
The only guns permitted in Japan are rifles, shotguns, and air guns. No handguns are allowed for civilians.
In order to possess a permitted gun, you need to go through extensive skills tests and shooting classes. In order to get a rifle, a person must prove they are a professional hunter and have intent to get rid of invasive animals.
Punishment
Possession of a gun will bring you a sentence of a minimum of 3 years in jail. Possession of ammunition (or cartridges), you’re looking at a maximum of 5 years in jail or fines of up to $10,000.
Drugs are Illegal
The only drugs allowed in Japan are:
Alcohol
Tobacco
Caffeine
Sugar
Everything else is strictly prohibited and comes with heavy penalties if caught.
Punishment
For stimulants, your sentence can be 1 to 20 years in jail. If the amount of stimulants you’re carrying is enough to be considered intent to sell, your sentence will be a minimum of 3 years. For cannabis, it’s less than 7 years in jail. With the intent to sell, it’s less than 10 years. For cocaine, it’s 1 to 10 years in jail. With the intent to sell, it’s 1 to 20 years.
Drones are Restricted
Given the popularity of drones and Japan’s high population density, it makes sense why drones are heavily regulated here.
According to Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, at the time of this writing, you must obtain special permission to fly:
In airspace around airports
At elevations over 490 feet (150 meters)
Within 98 feet (30 meters) of people, structures, or vehicles
At event sites
Above densely inhabited districts
During non-daytime hours
Without a visual line of sight of your drone
Transport hazardous materials
Dropping object from a drone
to get special permission from MLIT, you must submit an application and receive approval. You can do that here.
Also, according to MLIT, the following always applies:
Prohibited to operate a drone while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Must conduct pre-flight actions
Fly in a way that prevents collision with hazards
Prohibited to fly in a careless or reckless manner
DJI has a great map that makes it clear where you can and can’t fly in Japan.
Penalties: up to a month in jail or $500 fine
Special notes for SOFA status personnel: to fly your drone in Japan, you must register it with base law enforcement.
For anyone and everyone flying a drone in Japan, if you’re caught violating the laws, you could be held liable for paying a $5,000 fine.
Common Legal Ages
Drinking: 20 y.o.
Smoking: 20 y.o.
Gambling: 20 y.o.
Driving: 18 y.o.
Voting: 18 y.o.
Marriage: 20 y.o. (18 y.o. for men and 16 y.o. for women with parent consent)
Curfews for Minors
Each prefecture in Japan has a curfew for minors. Regardless of a minor being accompanied by an adult or parent, minors are expected to be in their residence by a certain time.
Most prefectures have a curfew of around 10 pm or 11 pm.
Though curfews aren’t heavily enforced by police, most establishments will require minors to be out at the expected time.
Car Accidents in Japan
“Comparative Negligence”
In Japan, a car accident is not just one person’s fault, everyone involves shares the blame. Even if you’re rear-ended at a stoplight, you’ll share a portion of the fault.
The only time an accident is just one person’s fault is when a car is fully parked.
Required Action in Car Accidents
Regardless of the severity of the accident, and regardless if anyone is hurt or not, Japanese law requires drivers to:
- Stop and remain at the scene
- Assist any injured person and call emergency services 119
- Even if there are no injuries, it’s still required that you call the police immediately
- You must remain at the scene until the police arrive
Even if no one is hurt and even if both drivers agree to leave a scene, if you do leave the scene of an accident without notifying or getting approval from the police, you could be charged with a hit and run.
Witnesses to Car Accidents
Anyone who is a witness to a car accident is required to:
- Remain at the scene until their identity has been given to the police
- Give any assistance needed as directed by the police
No Cell Phones While Driving
In 2019, Japan increased its punishments for using cell phones while driving. If you’re caught just peeking at your cell phone while driving, you’re likely to be fined $180.
Even more important than a fine is possible jail time if you cause (or could have caused) an accident that could have caused injury or death.
All the sources I’ve read addressing this important piece of the law are very vague and subjective in their choice of words. It appears that even if you don’t cause an accident, but the accident COULD HAVE been bad, you might be serving some time in jail. Just don’t touch your cell phone. There’s too much to risk.
No Graffiti
Even though you may see graffiti in some spots, you should avoid it. In Okinawa, the Sunabe Seawall is covered in graffiti leading many people to believe it’s allowed.
Don’t do it.
How to Stay Out of Trouble
First, is, of course, being aware of the above laws. Next is keeping your mindset in check, while in Japan. As a foreigner, we can easily succumb to the thought, “I’ll just play the ‘I’m a dumb foreigner’ card and get off the hook.” Slipping into this mindset is especially easy in Japan, mostly because people here are non-confrontational. For Westerners, it’s not that difficult to slip into the belief that we’ll never be confronted in Japan. No matter what we do. We can start to feel invincible here. This is very dangerous. Though “playing the dumb card” will work if confronted for breaking minor social rules, the mindset is an extremely risky strategy when breaking Japanese law. Especially given Japan’s harsh punishments.
Summary
Most foreigners come and leave Japan without any legal trouble. So, enjoy Japan, there’s no reason to be paranoid about the law or its justice system. Just be aware of your actions.
References
Japan’s Drinking Law’s – nomunication.jp
Gun Crimes in Japan Remain Rare – nippon.com
Japanese Law Translation
Firearms-Control Legislation and Policy: Japan – Library of Congress
Criminal Cases in Japan – Q&A
ja.wikipedia
To Foreign Nationals Who Drive Vehicles in Japan – npa.go.jp\n\n