The modern metropolis of Tokyo is the most populated city in the world and a hotspot for international travel, with Japan welcoming almost 32 million overseas visitors in 2019 alone. Japan’s capital city also ranked as one of the top ten safest cities for travel in 2023, with female travellers ranking it the safest.
Visiting Tokyo and want to brush up on its laws before you visit? Read on to discover 9 unique laws in Japan you need to know before you visit.
1. No Damaging a Foreign Flag
Article 92 of Japan’s Penal Code (1907) states anyone who ‘damages, removes or defiles’ another country’s flag for the ‘purpose of insulting the foreign state’ is committing a criminal offence. The punishment for this is up to two years in prison or a fine upwards of 200,000 yen; however, offenders will only be prosecuted if the foreign state in question requests it.
It's worth noting that this law in Japan does not apply to the country’s own flag, which is so residents are still allowed freedom of expression towards their government.
2. No Peer Pressure in the Workplace
Those visiting Tokyo on business may have heard of nomikai – an after-work ‘drinking party’ between colleagues which is popular in the city. These have occurred less frequently in recent years however, as Japan updated its ‘Act on Comprehensive Promotion of Labour Policies’ in 2019 to ban ‘power harassment’.
This act prohibited managers and peers from pressuring others in the workplace, which extended to the pressure to consume alcohol in nomikai, and those in violation of this Japanese law could face a fine of up to 200,000 yen.
Want to learn more? Check out this BBC article on how this law in Japan changed Tokyo’s work culture.
3. No Cold or Flu Medicines
If you’re visiting Tokyo and planning to bring along any medications, the UK Government website advises you to ‘check the status of your medicine with the nearest Japanese Embassy or Consulate beforehand’. Many cold and flu medicines are illegal under Japanese law, as well as some common painkillers like those containing codeine.
If you are found to have brought any of these prohibited medications into Japan or have them imported into the country for personal use, you could be found guilty of an offence and risk being detained and deported.
4. No Splashing Pedestrians Whilst Driving
Article 71 of the Road Traffic Act (1960) states drivers should limit their speed or take other measures to ensure they don’t ‘cause a nuisance to others by scattering mud, dirty water, and other materials when driving through mud or puddles’.
Those found to be in violation of this Japanese law may find themselves subject to a criminal or petty fine of up to 20,000 yen.
5. Don’t Accept Extra Change
In 2015, a woman was arrested after taking an extra 45,000 yen in change which the cashier had mistakenly handed to her. Although the woman claimed she hadn’t realised the change had been mistakenly calculated, she was still arrested on swindling charges.
So, make sure you brush up on your mental maths skills before you next visit Tokyo, and always check your change!
6. No Littering Allowed
Japan’s law against littering is not unique to the country; in fact, our recent blog on Singapore’s surprising laws also featured a littering ban. What does make this Japanese law quite unusual, however, is the distinct lack of bins in Tokyo.
After a domestic terrorist act in 1995, most public bins were removed from the city. Today, residents and visitors are asked to hold on to the rubbish they produce throughout the day and dispose of it when they get home.
Those found littering in one of Tokyo’s Beautification Enforcement Areas can be fined up to 30,000 yen – so make sure to follow this Tokyo rule the next time you visit the city.
7. No Making (and Sometimes Even Mixing!) Your Own Alcohol
Law in Japan bans homebrewing alcohol over 1% ABV. This includes making your own beer (beer making kits are illegal in Japan) and even making some cocktails like Sangria. Other homemade fruit infusions like umeshu (plum wine) are legal to make, as long as they are mixed with alcohol above 20% ABV so it is unlikely to ferment.
If you are found to be in violation of this Japanese law, you could be fined up to 1 million yen or even face imprisonment of up to 10 years.
8. No Foreign Radio Devices Allowed
The Radio Law in Japan states all radio equipment must meet its technical regulations and have the Technical Conformity mark to prove it. This radio equipment includes (but is not limited to) walkie talkies, cordless telephones, and baby monitors.
Make sure to follow this rule in Tokyo during your stay – those found in violation of this Japanese law could be fined up to 1 million yen and even face imprisonment of up to one year.
9. Don’t Walk Whilst Smoking
In a bid to reduce its number of smokers, Tokyo is one of many cities in Japan to put strict smoking guidelines into place. The city has designated smoking areas, marked by posters and signs, and it is illegal to smoke outside of these spaces. For this same reason, it is also illegal to walk whilst smoking.
Those who ignore these rules in Tokyo could find themselves faced with a fine of up to 5,000 yen.
Now you’re up to speed on Japan’s unusual laws, why not check out our blog ‘12 Unique Laws in Singapore You Should Know Before You Visit’.
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