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Content produced by the Mie Prefectural Police – http://www.police.pref.mie.jp/foreigners/english/pdf/e1_seikatu.pdf

 

Japan is a country ruled by law. Various aspects of our lives are governed by the laws in place and many more actions are prohibited under other pieces of legislation. Japan does not fundamentally differ to other countries in that we must all follow these rules in our daily lives. However, rules and laws can differ depending on the culture and customs of the country they are enacted in. We created this document so that you can become familiar with the basic laws regarding daily life in Japan which you must abide by and so you can avoid trouble which may result from misunderstandings about how the laws of Japan and your country differ.

There are more rules and laws in Japan than those contained in this pamphlet so we hope that you will go on to learn more and more and lead a happy life in Japan.

Ⅰ Rules under the law

In Japan, if you violate the law you will be severely punished, and depending on the crime you may be fined or end up in prison. Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, this is because the Japanese people abide by the laws in place and the police crack down on violations. In Japan, the following acts are dictated by law and if you neglect to follow these rules you will be punished.

(1) Possession of weapons
– You must not possess guns or knives except when you are have been specifically authorized by law to carry such weapons.
– You must apply for a permit in order to possess guns or other weapons.
– You must not possess knives with blades longer than a certain length unless you have a legitimate reason to do so such as for your business etc.
– You must not conceal knives or iron bars etc. which can endanger life or cause bodily harm without a legitimate reason.
– You must not conceal spare keys or chisels, etc. to break in other people’s houses and buildings without a legitimate reason.
– You must not conceal screwdrivers and crowbars without a legitimate reason.

(2) Use of drugs
– Any involvement with drugs including use, possession of or transfer to another shall be punishable by law.
– You must not possess paint thinners and adhesives for inhalation.

(3) Theft and Related Acts
– You must not take things that don’t belong to you.
– You must not take home bicycles without permission even when they look abandoned.
– You must not knowingly receive or buy / sell stolen things.

(4) Illegal dumping

– You must dispose of waste according to the local rules of your neighborhood.
– You must not burn your waste unless you are specifically authorized by law to do so.

(5) Use of cell phones
– You must not register false information when you purchase cell phones, including names, dates of birth, or addresses.
– You must not transfer cell phones under your own name to others without permission from your cell phone carrier.
– You must not transfer or receive cell phones using another person’s name.

(6) Other basic rules
– You must not use fire in the vicinity of buildings, forests or anything that is combustible without proper care.
– You must not disturb your neighbors by shouting or playing loud music.
– You must not intentionally peep into another’s home, public bath, bathroom or places where people are usually unclothed.
– You must not defecate, urinate, or spit in public places such as streets or parks or force others to do so.
– You will be punished if you continue to stalk someone despite being rejected previously.
– You will be punished if you commit acts of physical or psychological violence against your spouse or children (including common-law spouses).
– You must not prostitute yourself or seek the services of prostitutes.
– When you find lost items, you must return it to the owner or take it to a police department (Police Station / Police Substation).

(7) Business Permits
– If you wish to engage in a general / industrial waste disposal business, you must obtain the correct permits.
– If you wish to engage in the sales / exchanges of used cars, machinery, or jewelry, you must obtain the correct permits.

Ⅱ Protection of minors

Minors are protected by the law. However, there are also actions that minors are specifically prohibited from doing.

1 Protected by law

(1) Physical protection of minors
You must not conduct obscene/indecent acts against anyone under 18.

(2) Consumption of alcohol
– Parents or any other person with guardianship must make efforts to stop minors from drinking alcohol.
– Business owners must not sell alcohol to minors.

(3) Smoking
– Parents or any other person with guardianship must make efforts to stop minors from smoking.
– Business owners must not sell cigarettes or items necessary for smoking tobacco.

(4) Employment
– Employers must not employ anyone under the age of 15 except under special circumstances. Even if he/she is 15 years of age, they cannot be employed until the March 31st following his/her 15th birthday.
– Employers must not hire anyone under 18 to work dangerous / late night jobs except under special circumstances.

(5) Adult Entertainment Businesses
– Owners of Adult Entertainment Businesses must not hire anyone under 18 to entertain customers or provide services to customers.
– Owners of Adult Entertainment Businesses must not allow anyone under 18 to enter adult entertainment establishments as customers.

(6) Prowling and loitering at night
– Parents or any other person with guardianship must make reasonable efforts to stop anyone under 18 from going out between 10PM and 5AM.

 

2 Prohibited by law

(1) Consumption of alcohol
– Those under 20 years old must not drink alcohol.

(2) Smoking
– Those under 20 years old must not smoke.

(3) Adult Entertainment Establishments
– Anyone under 18 must not go to Adult Entertainment Establishments such as Pachinko parlors.

Ⅲ Driving in Japan

(1) International Driving License
– You cannot drive in Japan if you have an International Driving License issued by countries which are not signatories to the Geneva Conventions e.g. China.

(2) Obtaining Driving Licenses
– Whether you ride motorcycles or drive cars on the road, you must obtain a driving license corresponding to the kind of vehicle you use.
– To obtain driving licenses in Japan:
① If you have driving license issued by a foreign country, you can take exams to convert it to a Japanese driving license (You can take the exams in 9 languages, including Chinese etc.)
② If you don’t have a driving license issued by a foreign country, you can take the exams to obtain a Japanese driving license (You can take the exams in Japanes, in English or in Portuguese).

(3) Renewing Driving Licenses
– Japanese driving licenses must be renewed every 3 to 5 years. The renewal dates are shown on your driving license.

For Further Details:
Driving License Center TEL 059-229-1212

(4) License Plates
– If you put another car’s license plate or a false license plate on your car you will be punished under the law.

(5) Car Inspection
– A vehicle inspection program operates in Japan. Vehicles with an engine displacement of over 250cc should be inspected regularly (owner-driven cars and 2 wheeled motorcycles have their first inspection at 3 years and require a subsequent inspection every two years. In the case of cargo vehicles, they should have their first inspection at 3 years and undergo a subsequent inspection every year following. Light freight vehicles should be inspected once every two years) and pass the inspection to be deemed safe for use on the roads. You must also take out an auto insurance policy that covers collateral injuries / damages (jibaiseki).

(6) Auto insurance policy covering collateral injuries/damages (jibaiseki)
Motorcycles (including bicycles) and cars must be covered by a mandatory Vehicle Liability Insurance policy. If you drive a motorcycle (including a motorcycle under 50cc) without being covered by Vehicle Liability Insurance (it is compulsory to take out a policy) you will be punished under the law.

(7) Title transfer when selling a car
– When you purchase / sell a car, you must transfer the title of the vehicle to its new owner.

(8) Certificates of parking
– You must not park your car on the road.
– When you purchase or register a car, you must obtain a certificate of owning a parking space for the vehicle (a.k.a. parking permit) except in the case of motorcycles.

Inquires regarding car inspections, transfers of titles
Chubu Unyukyoku Mie Unyushikyoku
TEL 050-5540-2055
For audio guidance press 026 to be connected to the operator.

 

Ⅳ Traffic violations / Traffic accidents / Bicycle Safety

In Japan if you injure others or cause death in a traffic accident, you will be severely punished according to the degree of responsibility you have in causing the accident. Graffiti violations will also be strictly cracked down upon. Please abide by the rules of the road.

(1) Driving under the influence
– Even if you have only consumed a small amount you must not drive cars or ride motorcycles or bicycles when you have had alcohol.
– You must not let someone drink alcohol or encourage someone to drink alcohol if you know that he / she is going to drive afterwards.

(2) Use of seatbelts / child seats
– When you are in a car you must wear a seatbelt.
– When babies are in the car you must use a child seat appropriate for the size of the child.

(3) Talking on cell phones while driving
You must not talk on cell phones or pay excess amounts of attention to the car navigation system etc. while driving.

(4) Pedestrian Priority
You must not drive your car in a way that obstructs pedestrians. Pedestrians are prioritized over all vehicles.

(5) Traffic accident procedures
– When you are involved in a car accident, you must stop your car immediately and park it in a way that doesn’t block traffic.
– When there are injuries you must dial 119 to call an ambulance. You must perform first aid on the injured while you wait for the ambulance to arrive.
– When you are involved in a car accident, you must dial 110 to call the police and report when and where the accident occurred, the number of injured, and the extent of their injuries before waiting for instruction.
– Even if you are uninjured in the accident you must not leave the scene until the police arrive.
– When you have caused a car accident and neglected to call the police or an ambulance despite there being injuries you will receive a severe punishment.

(6) Suspension of driving license
When you commit traffic violations or cause traffic accidents your driving license may be suspended for a certain period of time or even be cancelled completely.

(7) Safe use of bicycles
– You are required to ride your bicycle on the road. However, you may ride your bicycle on the sidewalk under special circumstances.

When roads and sidewalks are clearly distinguished you must ride your bicycle on the road.
You can ride bicycles on the sidewalk only when traffic signs permit.
Elderly people, children and those with babies are permitted to ride on the sidewalks.
– Bicycles must be ridden on the left side of the road.
– Pedestrians take priority on the sidewalks; ride your bicycle slowly on the right side of the sidewalk. You must ride your bicycle at a speed at which you can stop immediately in an emergency and at which you can stop in the case that you are blocking pedestrians.
– You must abide by the road safety rules.

Riding under the influence, two people riding on a single bike, riding bicycles parallel to each other, and using an umbrella whilst riding a bicycle are all prohibited by law.
You must use lights at night. You must also abide by the rules of traffic lights and stop and check that it is safe before continuing at an intersection.
You should not ring a bicycle’s bell without cause.

You must not ride a bicycle while talking on cell phones or when using head phones.
– Children must wear helmets while riding bicycles.
Parents or guardians must make efforts to ensure children and infants are wearing helmets when they are riding bicycles.

Ⅴ Residency in Japan

When foreign citizens reside in Japan they have a determined status and period of residence. You must be engaged in the activities set out according to the conditions of your status and only remain in Japan within your authorized period of residence. If you desire to remain in Japan beyond your authorized period of residency you must apply for and obtain an extension of your period of residence.

Furthermore, the existing system of alien registration will be abolished upon the introduction of the new residency management system on July 9th 2012. Due to this change, the procedures for registering changes to your address, name or employer etc. will also be changing. If you have any questions, please contact the Immigration Information Centre listed below.

(1) Extension of Your Period of Stay, Changes to Status of Residence
If you desire to remain in Japan beyond your authorized period of stay, or desire to change your status of residence, you must apply for and obtain an extension of your period of stay, or obtain a Change of Status of Residence at an immigration office.

(2) Status of Residence for children born in Japan
If children born in Japan are to continue to stay in Japan, you need to apply for a Certificate of Status of Residence at an immigration office within 90 days of his / her birth.

(3) Permission to engage in an activity other than that previously authorized
When your status of residence does not allow you to work (Resident Status of Dependent, Resident Status of Student), you can not engage in work activities including part time jobs unless you obtain a Change of Status of Residence at your local immigration office.

(4) Re-entry
If you want to leave Japan for your home country, or another destination, and re-enter Japan during your authorized period of stay under the same Status of Residence on your visa, you can apply for a re-entry permit.

(5) Special re-entry
Foreign nationals in possession of a valid passport and resident card who exit and subsequently want to re-enter Japan within 1 year of their departure will, in principle, not be required to apply for a re-entry permit. (But you will not be able to extend such permission while abroad. Therefore you will lose your residential status if you fail to re-enter Japan within one year of your departure.)

(6) Change of address

Mid-to long-term residents who have arrived in Japan should notify the office of the city, ward, town or village in which they live within 14 days of establishing residence at a new address; please take your resident card with you to do this (or your passport if you haven’t received your resident card as of yet.) This same procedure applies to any subsequent changes to your place of residence.

(7) Change of name or other details
If a change has been made to your name, date of birth, sex, nationality or region as a mid to long-term resident, please notify the regional immigration office within 14 days of the change.

(8) Relating to the organization to which the foreign national belongs
For mid to long-term residents who have employment status such as “Engineer” (excluding “Artist”, “Religious Activities” and “Journalist”) or status such as “Student”, if a change has been made to the name or address of your affiliated organization, please notify the regional immigration office within 14 days of the change.
And for foreigners who hold the status of “Dependent”, “Designated Activities(c)”, “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” and “Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident”, if you and your spouse have divorced or your spouse has passed away, please notify the regional immigration office within 14 days.

(9) Reissue of the resident card
If you resident card has been lost, stolen, destroyed, damaged or defiled, please apply to the regional immigration bureau office for a replacement.

(10) Obligation to carry and produce passports, etc.
– Foreign nationals staying in Japan who are over 16 years of age must always carry their passport or an equivalent certificate.
– Mid-to long-term residents always must always carry their resident card. In the case of carrying resident card you do not need to carry a passport, etc.
– You must produce your resident card or passport if you are required by police officers etc. to do so.

※ Mid-to long-term resident refers to foreign nationals who are married to a Japanese national or foreign nationals of Japanese descent (whose resident status is that of “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” or “Long-Term Resident”), foreign nationals working for a company or other organization (whose resident status is that of “Engineer”, “Specialist in Humanities /International Services”, etc.), technical interns, foreign students and permanent residents.

【Information and Inquiries】
Immigration Information Center（Weekdays between 8:30 to 17:15）
0570-013904 (IPhone, PHS, International call : 03-5796-7112)

 

International Crime Consultation Hotline Mie Prefectual Police
The international crime consultation hotline accepts calls and consultations from foreign victims of crime.
Tel/Fax  ０５９－２２３－２０３０(FAX)
Receipt Monday to Friday (except of holiday)
time 9:00-17:00 (Receiving fax 24 hours)

○ We can also accept written enquiries and consultations in foreign languages.
○ In the case of an emergency, call “110”

 

<<Address and tetephone number of the MIe Prefectual Police>>
In the case of an emergency, call “110”
Police Station Address Telephone
Central de Mie Tsu-shi,Sakaemachi 1-100 059-222-0110
Kuwana Kuwana-shi Eba 626-2 0594-24-0110
Inabe Inabe-shi,Inabe,Uno 320-1 0594-84-0110
Yokkaichi Kita Yokkaichi-shi,Matubara 4-32 059-366-0110
Yokkaichi Minami Yokkaichi-shi Shinsho 5-5-5 059-355-0110
Yokkaichi Nishi Mie-gun,Komono-cho,Ogohara 3241 059-394-0110
Kameyama Kameyama-shi,Nomura 4-1-27 0595-82-0110
Suzuka Suzuka-shi,Ejima 3446 059-380-0110
Tsu Tsu-shi,Marunouchi 22-1 059-213-0110
Tsu Minami Tsu-shi,Hisaimyojin-cho 2501-1 059-254-0110
Matsusaka Matusaka-shi,Chuo-cho 366-1 0598-53-0110
Odai Taki-gun,Odai,Sawara 848 0598-84-0110
Ise Ise-shi,Kodakushimoto 1481-3 0596-20-0110
Toba Toba-shi,Matsuo-cho 74-4 0599-25-0110
Owase Owase-shi,Kodo 1-50 0597-25-0110
Kumano Kumano-shi,Ido 380 0597-88-0110
Kiho Minamimuro-gun,Kiho,Udono 1709-2 0735-33-0110
Iga Iga-shi,Shijuku 1929-1 0595-21-0110
Nabari Nabari-shi,Kuramochi-Cho Shibade 837-3 0595-62-0110