In the United States and Europe, using high beams is a matter of course. In Japan, however, it’s wrongly believed that using low beams is common sense.

If it is common sense then what are high beams for? Aren't drivers taught that when you are out on roads without much light it is better to be able to see where you are going?

Taxi drivers use them almost all of the time, but they often forget they are on when cars approach. They also switch the off the main beam car lights leaving just side lights at crossings, making them hard to see as well.

I've seen plenty of high beams here, but nobody ever turns them off when cars or pedestrians (at night) are approaching.

gaijinfo:

Yeah, it's annoying, especially when I'm cycling towards a car. While drivers should use them, I was always taught that if someone's approaching in front, switch them off temporarily.

Otherwise, using lower beams is not common sense considering that most roads in Japan, including some in the cities, are pitch black with no lights (and yet there's a vending machine on every corner).

What a load of nonsense.

Well, at least they're using lights. Back in the last century Japanese drivers waited until well after sunset to even switch on parking lights. Almost as if it had to be pitch dark before the headlights came on. Also, drivers used to switch their lights off at intersections at night; not any more.

Driving down a dark road during the day (lots of trees blocking out the sun) I switched on my lights and my Japanese passenger asked me why. I said So approaching cars will be able to see This car. They seemed mildly amused at my concern for my safety (and theirs).

I attended a driver refresher course at the Licensing Office when I renewed my Japanese DL last year and was taught to use high beams whenever possible and only switch to low beams to avoid blinding other drivers, cyclists, etc.

In Japan, however, it’s wrongly believed that using low beams is common sense.

News to me. Does the visiting researcher have hard data on this, or just air-reading conjecture?

A recent annoying trend is for drivers of recent German cars to show off their (finally permitted?) blinding rear fog lamps, even in the clearest of weather.