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2026-04-01
Bicycle "Blue Ticket" — All 113 Violations
Effective April 1, 2026. Traffic fine system introduced for bicycles. Smartphone use: ¥12,000, running red lights: ¥6,000.
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2026-09Traffic
🚗 Residential Road Speed Limit Cut to 30km/h!
September 2026 — Roads without center lines affected
60→30
km/h
2026.9
Effective
Residential
Roads
All
Vehicles
❓ What's changing?
Under revised traffic law, the legal speed limit on "residential roads" without center lines or lane markings will be reduced from 60km/h to 30km/h. Roads in residential areas without speed signs are the main target.
Before
60 km/h
→
After
30 km/h
🛣️ Which roads are affected?
- ●Roads without a center line
- ●Roads without lane boundary lines
- ●Mainly residential streets and school zones
- ●Roads with speed signs still follow those signs
📊 Why the reduction?
To reduce pedestrian and cyclist fatalities on residential roads. Research shows fatality rates drop significantly at speeds below 30km/h. The 30km/h limit is already widespread in EU countries and South Korea.
⚠️ What are the penalties?
- ●Over 30km/h: Fine from ¥15,000 (standard car)
- ●Significant excess: Possible license suspension/fine
- ●Speed cameras to be installed
- ●Applies to all vehicles (motorcycles included)
💡 Key points to know
1Effective September 2026
2Residential roads without center lines affected
3Current 60km/h → reduced to 30km/h
4Roads with speed signs follow those signs
5Same limit applies to bicycles
🔗 Related Issues
🛣️→
2026-04-01
Highway ETC Night Discount Narrowed to 0–4 AM (Effective Price Hike)
Highway late-night ETC discount (30% off) narrowed from 10 PM–6 AM to 12 AM–4 AM. Effectively a price increase for rental car tourists and long-distance drivers.
🚗→
2026-03-31
Vehicle Environmental Performance Tax Abolished (Up to ¥90K→¥0)
Vehicle Environmental Performance Tax fully abolished on March 31, 2026. Tax burden reduced by up to ~¥90,000 when purchasing new or used cars. Benefits foreign residents buying vehicles in Japan.