Using A Smartphone While Driving Is Illegal in Japan

     In my previous entry, I wrote about how hard it is to get a Japanese driver's license. In Japan, getting a driver's license costs a lot of money. It usually costs around 200,000 yen, which is equivalent to about $2,000, and you need to go to a driving school, take so many classes and must pass some examinations. I also wrote The Reason Why Driving in Japan Is Not Easy and 6 Things You Should Know Before Driving in Japan.


6 Things You Should Know Before Driving in Japan
1. Japan uses kilometers. (Japan does not use miles.)

2. You must drive on the left side of the road in Japan.

3. Japanese cars have the driver's seat and steering wheel on their right side.

4. You and all passengers must wear a seat belt.

5. Drinking and driving is illegal. (A drunk driver must pay a fine up to 1,000,000 yen, which is equivalent to about $10,000, or serve up to 5 year of in jail. Passengers must pay a fine up to 500,000 yen or serve up to 3 year of in jail.)

6. Highway is not free. It costs a lot to drive on. (That's why the highway is clean and well maintained in Japan.)




Using A Smartphone While Driving Is Illegal in Japan.

The Picture Is from the Official Site of the Public Relations Office of the Government of Japan

    Using a smartphone while driving is illegal in Japan. On December 1, Japan tightened regulations on smartphone, mobile phone, and GPS use while driving.

・Do not use a smartphone or mobile phone while driving.
・Do not talk on the phone (smartphone/mobile phone) while driving.
・Do not text while driving.
・Do not watch a smartphone/mobile phone carefully while driving.
・Do not watch a GPS carefully while driving.

   You should never touch your phone nor GPS while driving. I believe that you may use a GPS, but do not watch it for 2 seconds or more while driving.

■ If you use or watch your smartphone, you must pay a fine of up to 100,000 yen (about $1,000) or serve up to 6 months of in jail.
　 Large Vehicle : A Fine of 25,000 yen
 　Ordinary-Sized Vehicle: A Fine of 18,000 yen
  
■ If you used or watched your smartphone and caused an accident, you will get your driver's license suspended. In addition, you must pay a fine of up to 300,000 yen (about $3,000) or serve up to 1 year of in jail. 

      If you want to use your smartphone, you should find a parking space. If you park your car and turn off the engine, you can use your smartphone in your car.

      If you understand Japanese, you can watch this Japanese news below. According to FNN news, it's illegal to watch a GPS for 2 seconds or more while driving, but it's not illegal to use a phone at red light.

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♥10 Best Japanese Beauty Products on Amazon Japan, You Can Also Purchase Them at Drugstores in Japan



     My entries related to Tokyo can be seen here. 

     My entries related to Best Japanese Beauty Products can be seen here.
 
     My entries related to Japan can be seen here.

     My entries related to beauty can be seen here.

     My entries related to Japan Haul can be seen here.

     You can find my beauty entries by categories from here.