An In-Depth Guide to Japanese Laws, Rules, and Manners: A Comprehensive Overview for Foreigners

Japan is a country with a unique blend of traditional and modern culture, and its laws and rules reflect this harmony. From daily life to education, from waste disposal to labor, Japan has a set of rules that govern every aspect of life. In this blog, we’ll explore Japanese laws, rules, and manners in detail, providing you with a comprehensive guide to living and traveling in Japan.

Daily Life: Alcohol and Tobacco

In Japan, the legal drinking age is 20. This means that people under 20 cannot drink or buy alcohol. Supermarkets and convenience stores have age verification systems in place to enforce this law. When buying alcohol, you may be asked to press an age verification button or present identification to prove your age.

Drinking alcohol in public is not prohibited, but it is considered poor manners. It’s best to drink alcohol in restaurants or at home. Drunk driving is strictly prohibited and the penalties are severe.

Tobacco laws in Japan are similar to those for alcohol. Smoking is allowed from the age of 20, and there is age verification when purchasing tobacco products. Smoking is prohibited in most public places, such as schools, government buildings, and many restaurants and cafes. Smoking areas are designated for smokers and are often located in crowded areas like train stations. Smoking on the street is also prohibited in many areas.

Elections and Voting

Elections in Japan are held to decide national and local representatives. The legal voting age is 18, which was lowered from 20 in recent years. Voting is done by secret ballot, and your name must not be written on the ballot paper. However, voter turnout in Japan is relatively low, with some people feeling that their vote won’t make a difference.

Education

Japan has compulsory education, which includes six years of elementary school and three years of junior high school. Compulsory education ends at junior high school, but most children go on to high school. Education is free, with costs for classes and textbooks covered, but school lunches and trips are not. Compulsory education begins at the age of 6, when children enter elementary school.

Pensions

Japan has a pension system that allows people to receive money when they become elderly. To be eligible for a pension, you must pay a small amount of money while working. The age at which you start receiving a pension is 65, but you can start receiving it earlier or later, with the amount adjusted accordingly. The pension system is a mechanism where everyone contributes money to support each other.

Health Insurance

Health insurance is a system that helps cover medical expenses when you get sick or injured. In Japan, everyone must join a health insurance plan, and the amount you pay at the hospital is reduced. With health insurance, you pay 30% of medical expenses, with the remaining 70% covered by insurance. Young children and elderly people have lower personal payments.

Waste Disposal

Waste sorting in Japan is strictly defined, with four categories: burnable waste, non-burnable waste, recyclable waste, and large waste items. Burnable waste is incinerated, non-burnable waste is landfilled, recyclable waste is recycled, and large waste items are dismantled and recycled. Waste is collected by waste collectors when placed at designated areas in the community. Specific garbage bags must be used, and days and times for putting out waste are determined by each area.

Plastic Use

In Japan, efforts are being made to reduce plastic use. From 2020, plastic bags at stores became chargeable, and stores ask customers if they want to buy a plastic bag. The price of a plastic bag is about 5 yen. More people are carrying eco-bags, and some stores have stopped using plastic straws and spoons.

Family

In Japan, the legal age for marriage is 18 for both men and women. When getting married, you submit a marriage registration to the city hall. Japanese law does not allow couples to have different surnames, but this point is being debated. Also, Japanese law does not recognize same-sex marriage.

Permanent Residency

Permanent residency in Japan means a foreigner living in Japan indefinitely. To live permanently in Japan, you need permanent residency status, which has several conditions. Note that even if you get permanent residency, you don’t obtain Japanese nationality.

Naturalization

A foreigner can become Japanese through naturalization, which means obtaining Japanese nationality. There are several conditions for naturalization, such as living in Japan for more than 5 years. If naturalization is approved, you can get a Japanese passport and the right to vote.

Labor

In Japan, workers are protected by law, with working hours limited to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. Overtime is the time worked beyond 8 hours a day. Minimum wage is determined by law, with a regional variation. It’s illegal to employ workers at wages below the minimum wage.

Transportation

In Japan, pedestrians walk on the right side of the road, and cars and bicycles drive on the left side of the road. At crosswalks, pedestrians have priority over cars. There are many rules for riding bicycles, such as turning on your light at night, prohibiting drunk cycling, and prohibiting riding with two people on one bicycle. When it’s raining, you should wear a raincoat. For cars, seatbelts are mandatory, and child seats are mandatory for small children. Drunk driving and using a smartphone while driving are prohibited.

Manners

Manners in Japan are important, especially in business and dining. When exchanging business cards, hold the card with both hands and face it towards the other person. Before starting a meal, say “itadakimasu,” an expression of gratitude. When using chopsticks, don’t stab food or pass food from chopsticks to chopsticks. It’s also considered rude to make loud noises when eating, except for eating noodles, which is welcomed as a sign of enjoying the food. When drinking alcohol, pour for others, and let others pour for you. On trains and buses, avoid talking loudly and making phone calls, and hold your backpack in your hand or in front of your body to avoid taking up too much space.

Conclusion

Japan’s laws, rules, and manners are an essential part of its culture and society. By following these rules, you can respect Japanese culture and customs while enjoying your time in the country. Understanding these laws and rules also helps you avoid any misunderstandings or legal issues. Whether you’re a tourist or a long-term resident, it’s important to be aware of these laws, rules, and manners to have a positive experience in Japan.

FAQs

1. Can I drink alcohol in public in Japan?

Drinking alcohol in public is not prohibited in Japan, but it is considered poor manners. It’s best to drink alcohol in restaurants or at home.

2. Can I vote in Japanese elections?

In Japan, citizens aged 18 and above have the right to vote. However, if you’re a foreigner, you cannot vote in Japanese elections.

3. Is education free in Japan?

Compulsory education, which includes elementary and junior high school, is basically free in Japan. However, expenses for school lunches and school trips are required.

4. Can I get a pension in Japan?

To receive a pension in Japan, you must pay a small amount of money while you’re working. Then, when you become elderly and retire, you can receive a pension.

5. Is health insurance mandatory in Japan?

In Japan, everyone must join a health insurance plan. When you join health insurance, the amount you pay at the hospital is reduced.

6. Can I marry at 18 in Japan?

In Japan, the legal age for marriage is 18 for both men and women.

7. Can I become Japanese?

A foreigner can become Japanese through naturalization, which means obtaining Japanese nationality.

8. Can I work more than 8 hours a day in Japan?

In Japan, working hours are limited to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. However, overtime is allowed, which is the time worked beyond 8 hours a day.

9. Can I ride a bicycle on the sidewalk in Japan?

Riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is only allowed in special cases. Generally, bicycles should ride on the left side of the road.

10. What are the manners for exchanging business cards in Japan?

When exchanging business cards in Japan, hold the card with both hands and face it towards the other person. This is an important custom in Japanese business.

References

By following Japan’s laws, rules, and manners, you can fully enjoy your time in the country and respect its culture and customs. Remember to be aware of these laws, rules, and manners to avoid any misunderstandings or legal issues. Whether you’re a tourist or a long-term resident, it’s important to be aware of Japan’s laws, rules, and manners to have a positive experience in the country.