A police office explains the new law about seatbelts to a driver in Tokyo on Saturday.
SANKEI PHOTO

Law requiring backseat passengers to wear seatbelts takes effect

Sunday 01st June, 06:38 AM JST

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Latest 15 of 34 Total Comments Show All

smithinjapan at 06:48 PM JST - 1st June

Wow.... I didn't know this WASN'T a law. Not like the police will enforce it anyway.

What the hell did people think? Because you're in the back seat your safe?? Idiocy!
PleasureGelf at 06:52 PM JST - 1st June

Here's my take on why these and other rules are rarely enforced: If you ride your bicycle on the sidewalk, don't fasten your seatbelt on the back seat and so on, that's OK as long as nothing bad happens. If, however you get involved in an accident, then it's your fault cause you didn't follow the rules. In other words, the rules are not there to protect you, but to put your share of responsibility on your shoulders. Good or bad, you decide.
Sarge at 07:14 PM JST - 1st June

"The law also allows bicycles, which were basically prohibited from running on sidewalks under the old law..."

Ha ha ha!

"... to run on sidewalks if they are ridden by children under 13..."

What! They're the most dangerous group of riders!

"... and people aged 70 or older, while allowing bicycles ridden by people of other ages to do so if there is risk of contact with vehicles ( on the street )"

Well, since there is always risk of contact with vehicles if you ride your bicycle on the street, I guess you can ride on the sidewalk!

So, when are the railways going to make passengers buckle up? I mean, whenever the train driver of a packed train puts the brakes on, people standing are thrown against each other and crushed - that's not only not comfy, it's dangerous! I have a feeling this isn't going to change anytime soon...
bjones at 07:33 PM JST - 1st June

"while allowing bicycles ridden by people of other ages to do so if there is risk of contact with vehicles."

I would just be happy to see cyclists riding with the flow of traffic and not against it. I hate to make a left turn just to see a bicycle coming at me.
romulus3 at 07:41 PM JST - 1st June

well now. lets see them enforce it. unlikely. the amount of children who ride in cars unrestrained is diabolical.
smithinjapan at 08:57 PM JST - 1st June

Japan is a third world country when it comes to traffic laws; be it speeding though a red light, riding a bike on the sidewalk and making pedestrians step onto the streets, to not having any functional seat belts.

This may be news to the Japanese, but even if you are in the back of a car and get into a head on collision, you're still going to shuttle through the front of the car and die. That's it. This law is LONG overdue, and I hope they enforce it.
namabiru4me at 09:25 PM JST - 1st June

"enforcement" is a joke in this country. Is there not a law for children to be in child seats? Yet, day after day I see 10s of children standing up in the backseat, leaning out the windows, sitting on the parents laps in the front seat (both driver and passenger). Isn't the time for leniency up for that? So, now they pass a law like this...and they will have a "campaign"...then they will go hard and heavy on having people pull over and give warnings. Then, the police will retire back to their boxes or ward and prefectural headquarters and do nothing. When there is an accident they will likely cite the driver, after the fact. Anyone in my car will still be forced to buckle up...or the car is not moving.
smithinjapan at 09:30 PM JST - 1st June

Again, the usual j-cop crap. They'll punish ONLY after an accident. I'm curious as to why the Japanese police system exists as it is; go after a criminal AFTER the crime; until then, ignore all the death threat phone calls, etc.
proxy at 10:30 PM JST - 1st June

While they are at it, they should pass a law making it illegal for pregnant woman to drive as the action of steering gets the baby tangled up in the cord.
noborito at 11:22 PM JST - 1st June

Kids in the backseat will never wear them in Japan. Kids still sit on mom and dads lap in the front seat. just another law that will be enlisted when nothing else was found.
Smythe at 05:59 AM JST - 2nd June

I am surprised the this has not been in effect in Japan on the matter of cars to trucks, for we have had it in Canada since late in the 60s. Fact is when it comes to children it is dramatically different plus age is not the main factor but SIZE. Rare is a Cdn to complain about seat belts as they know they do save lives while without them so often people die.
Himajin at 09:45 AM JST - 2nd June

Thank God though, now I can make MIL and all her stubborn friends wear seat belts now. Even in the front seat they would just hold the belt to make it look like they had it on. When front seat belts became law, I was finally able to insist, now I can insist on the back seat belts too. The elderly can be some of the most stubborn people around.
illsayit at 09:40 PM JST - 4th June

I think this law steps into people's privacy too much, I do not agree with it at all. Public transport, I can understand. A private vehichle, I do not.
Soochi at 10:33 PM JST - 4th June

I think this law steps into people's privacy too much, I do not agree with it at all. Public transport, I can understand. A private vehichle, I do not.

Please tell me this is a poor attempt at sarcasm!
capone at 10:01 PM JST - 7th June

zzzzzzzzzzzz...doesn't mean squat if it's not being enforced