Speed limits in Japan explained

See also: Speed limits by country. Statutory speed limit in Japan defaults to 100sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 for divided national expressways and 60sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 for any other roads, unless otherwise posted.[1] Urban two-way streets are usually zoned at 40sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 or less.[2]

The highest speed limit in Japan is 120sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 on sections of Shin-Tōmei Expressway (E1A) and Tōhoku Expressway (E4), and expressways in the Kantō Plain leading to Tokyo.[3] [4]

Summary

The statutory maximum speed limits are 100sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 on divided national expressways and 60sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 on other roads. Statutory speed limits for heavy trucks with GVWR over 8sigfig=4NaNsigfig=4 are 90sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2, while trailers and three-wheelers are restricted to 80sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 on divided national expressways.[5] There are no separate urban or rural statutory limits. Urban and rural limits are set by zoning rather than statute.

Implementation of speed limits in Japan can be summarized as:

Enforcement

Speed camera

A threshold for speed cameras in Japan is set at a minimum of 39sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 above the limit on an expressway and a minimum of 29sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 above the limit on other streets, where drivers will face criminal charges instead of traffic infractions. This is due to legal precedents dating back to 1969 restricting police from filming an individual unless a criminal offence is immediately being committed.[6]

Police enforcement

Although there is no official tolerance for exceeding the speed limit, most drivers in Japan tend to drive over the speed limit on major roads.[7] [8] Police enforcement varies depending on the jurisdiction, officers, traffic flow and street types, but above the speed limit on an expressway and above the limit are generally tolerated on other streets.[9]

In 2020, a total of 1,162,420 speeding tickets were issued across Japan, and only 199 tickets were issued for speeding between over the limit.[10] Of the 199 tickets for speeding over the limit, Iwate Prefectural Police alone issued 166 tickets. For speeding between over the limit, Hokkaido, Aichi, Kyoto, Osaka and Fukuoka had the largest shares of tickets issued.

In contrast, Okinawa did not issue any tickets for speeding between over the limit. Tokyo Metropolitan Police issued a total of 68,693 speeding tickets, but gave out only seven tickets for speeding between over the limit. Some jurisdictions, such as Tokyo Metropolitan Police, release traffic enforcement locations on their websites.[11]

Speed limit guidelines

There is also a major distinction between and in terms of speed limit regulations, with different criteria applied for each.

Although some surface streets such as viaducts, trunk and bypass roads are built to expressway standards, many are not legally classified as expressways and are typically distinguishable by the colour of direction signs: surface streets use blue direction signs while expressways use green signs.

Surface streets

Speed limits for surface streets are set within ±10sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 of the reference speed limit below. Reference speed limits do not apply to expressways.

In Japan, speed limit cannot exceed 60sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 for any streets with at-grade intersections or where pedestrians or cyclists are permitted. To exceed the 60sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 threshold, the street must undergo costly grade separation to become a controlled-access highway.

Reference Speed Limit for Surface Streets[12]

! Class !! Area !! Travel Lanes !! Divided !! Pedestrian Volumes !! 85th Percentile Speed[13] !! Reference Speed Limit !! Factors affecting the Reference Speed Limit
(Reason for deviating from 85th speed)

1Urban2 lanesrowspan="2"-High51.9 km/h40 km/hUrban and high pedestrian volumes
2Low57.1 km/h50 km/hUrban
34+ lanesYesHigh59.0 km/h50 km/hUrban and high pedestrian volumes
4Low64.1 km/h60 km/hUrban
5NoHigh58.7 km/h50 km/hUrban, high pedestrian volumes, and undivided
6Low63.9 km/h50 km/hUrban and undivided
7Rural2 lanesrowspan="2"-High58.2 km/h50 km/hHigh pedestrian volumes
8Low63.3 km/h60 km/hMaximum speed set by police
94+ lanesYesHigh65.3 km/h60 km/hPedestrian
10Low70.4 km/h60 km/hMaximum speed set by police
11NoHigh65.0 km/h50 km/hHigh pedestrian volumes and undivided
12Low70.1 km/h60 km/hUndivided
Residential Streets
  • Narrow streets primarily used by local residents, often without a sidewalk, where the safety of pedestrians and cyclists should be warranted over travel speed of vehicles.
    • Note: Not to set within ±10sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2
  • 30 km/h
    (±0 km/h)
    20 km/h limit may be set on case-by-case basis for the following:
    • Street has a higher percentage of vulnerable road users, such as seniors.
    • School zones, but only where specifically needed.
    • Strong requests from local residents.
    • Street not designed for motorized vehicles but still permitted due to unavoidable circumstances.

    [14]

    Roads Structure Emphasizing the Traffic Function of Automobiles
  • Surface roads (excluding expressways and motorways) that satisfy the following conditions:
    1. Minimum design speed of 60 km/h
    2. No at-grade intersection
    3. Divided

    and has low crash rates

    • Note: Not to set within ±10sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2
  • 70 km/h
    or
    80 km/h
    (±0 km/h)
    For speed limits 70 km/h and above, the road should be closed to pedestrians, cyclists, and mopeds in principle.
    Note: This criterion only applies to surface streets and does not apply to expressways and motorways. See Speed limits in Japan#Expressways for expressway adaptation speeds.
    Definitions
    • Urban: DID (Densely Inhabited Districts), defined as at least two adjacent census districts with a population density of 4,000/km2 and a combined population greater than 5,000.
    • Rural: non-DID
    • Divided: Road must be separated by solid physical structures such as raised curb or fence. Roads divided by raised pavement markers or delineator posts are classified as "undivided".
    • High Pedestrian Volumes
      • Urban: 701 people/12 hr
      • Rural: 101 people/12 hr
    • Low Pedestrian Volumes
      • Urban: ≤ 700 people/12 hr
      • Rural: ≤ 100 people/12 hr

    Expressways

    Speed limits for expressways are set at 100sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 or lower speed. The speed limit is set with the lowest "structure compatible speed" (構造適合速度, kōzō tekigō sokudo) criteria below, that is based on design speed in some factors. Unlike surface streets, there is no range limit such as ±10 km/h. Therefore, the speed limit can be modified without limit, but the speed should be "respected".

    Intercity expressways typically have higher speed limits, while urban expressways within major cities often have 60sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 limits and two-lane expressways, typically in rural and remote areas, have 70sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 limits for simplified division such as guide posts and 80sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 limits with physical separation.

    Most expressways outside of cities have active variable speed limit signs and maximum speeds are lowered according to road conditions such as congestions, accidents, constructions and severe weather. When the statutory speed limits are in effect on national expressways, variable speed limit signs are left blank to indicate the statutory speed of 90sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 for trucks over 8 t, 80sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 for trailers and three-wheelers and 100sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 for other vehicles. Two sets of variable speed limit signs are installed when the regulatory speed exceeds statutory speed of 100sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 on national expressways or 80sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 on other roads to regulate the maximum speed of trucks, trailers and three-wheelers to 80sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2.

    Even some 4-lane expressways have 70sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 speed limit,[15] there is no 90sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 speed limit although it is allowed.[16]

    Speed limits can be set at maximum 120sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 if it has low crash rates, both the lowest adaptation speed and design speed is 120 km/h, the length is 20sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 or more. Other expressways are set maximum 100 km/h including many 120 km/h adaption speed expressways.

    Curve Radius (m)! rowspan="3"
    Adaptation SpeedDesign standardExceptional
    Superelevation (%) Inclusive-Exclusive
    0 - 11 - 22 - 33 - 44 - 55 - 66 - 7Curve radius (m)
    11341031945872810756709120 km/h(710)(570)
    716656606562525492463100 km/h(460)(380)
    42038836033631529628080 km/h(280)(230)
    21820218917716715714960 km/h(150)(120)
    1411311231161091049850 km/h(100)(80)
    8479747066636040 km/h(60)(50)
    4744423937353430 km/h(30)
    2120191717161520 km/h(15)
    Sight Distance!Sight distance!Adaptation Speed
    210 m ≤120 km/h
    160 m - 210 m100 km/h
    110 m - 160 m80 km/h
    75 m - 110 m60 km/h
    55 m - 75 m50 km/h
    40 m - 55 m40 km/h
    30 m - 40 m30 km/h
    < 30 m20 km/h
    Combined Superelevation/Slope Gradient!Combined Gradient!Adaptation Speed
    Below 10%120 km/h
    10% but below 10.5%80 km/h
    Above 10.5% but below 11.5%50 km/h
    Road Slope!Slope!Adaptation Speed
    5% and below120 km/h
    Above 5% but less than 6%100 km/h
    Above 6% but less than 7%80 km/h
    Above 7% but less than 8%60 km/h
    Above 8% but less than 9%50 km/h
    Above 9% but less than 10%40 km/h

    lane width (3.5 m ≤ : 120 km/h, < 3.5 m : 80 km/h)

    shoulder width (1.75 m ≤ : 120 km/h, < 1.75 m : 80 km/h)

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: The Order for Enforcement of the Road Traffic Act (Japanese). Government of Japan. Government of Japan. 22 February 2017.
    2. Web site: Driving in Japan. Japan-Guide.com. Japan-Guide.com. 22 February 2017.
    3. Web site: 新東名高速道路における最高速度120キロの試行開始について. 1 March 2019. 2 February 2019. ja.
    4. Web site: 高速自動車国道等の最高速度. 4 July 2023. ja.
    5. Web site: 道路交通法施行令. 19 May 2024. ja.
    6. http://www.courts.go.jp/app/hanrei_jp/detail2?id=51765 刑集第23巻12号1625頁
    7. Web site: 自動車の走行速度を規定する要因に関する調査研究 . International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences . March 1991.
    8. Web site: 自動車の走行速度と道路の設計速度・最高速度規制との関係 .
    9. https://www.npa.go.jp/koutsuu/kikaku/regulation_wg/torishimari_wg/01/shiryou2.pdf 速度規制の目的と現状
    10. News: Imai . Ryoichi . 東京と沖縄は20キロ未満を相手にしない? 都道府県別に見るスピード違反取り締まりの実態 . ドライバーWeb . August 23, 2021.
    11. https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.jp/kotsu/torishimari/kokai_juten/kokai.html 警視庁 公開交通取締り
    12. . 規制速度決定の在り方に関する調査研究検討委員会 . March 2009 . 平成20年度 規制速度決定の在り方に関する調査研究 報告書 . 1, 10, 12–13, 15–18, 27, 36, 39, 41–51.
    13. . 規制速度決定の在り方に関する調査研究検討委員会 . March 2009 . 平成20年度 規制速度決定の在り方に関する調査研究 報告書 . 8 . 表 2-4 数量化I類による計算結果(85 パーセンタイル速度) .
    14. 生活道路におけるゾーン対策推進調査研究検討委員会 . March 2011 . 生活道路におけるゾーン対策推進調査研究報告書 . 23 .
    15. . 規制速度決定の在り方に関する調査研究検討委員会 . February 2007 . 平成18年度 規制速度決定の在り方に関する調査研究 報告書 . 26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190430120205/https://www.npa.go.jp/bureau/traffic/seibi2/kisei/mokuteki/kiseisokudo/pdf/H18houkokusyo.pdf . 2019-04-30 .
    16. 第2回 速度規制等ワーキンググループ議事概要 . 2013-09-25 . 交通事故抑止に資する取締り・速度規制等の在り方に関する懇談会 . 警察庁交通局交通規制課 . 19 .