(Photo by Shoji Kudaka)
E-scooters, or “Dendo kickboards,” have become increasingly popular in Japan. Big cities like Tokyo and Osaka have electric scooter stations, making them easy to rent with a simple phone app and no oversight. The use of these scooters has grown and now other tourist destinations like Okinawa are also seeing a rise of users whizzing around the island.
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E-scooters are an attractive option not only because they’re convenient, but also because, thanks to a new law in 2023, you don’t need a driver’s license to operate them, but you must be 16 years old. Despite the relaxing of the law, it is important to note that since the law took effect in July 2023, there has been an increase in accidents involving these electric-powered devices.
According to a report from Jidounten-lab, a website dedicated to self-driving cars, violations in Japan involving e-scooters increased to a whopping 2,021 in the first three months of dropping the driver’s license rule. Traffic signal negligence, failure to stop and stop sign violations were among the most common violations.
If you are familiar with the traffic situation in Japan, the number would make sense. Reckless e-scooter operators crisscrossing the busy intersections with pedestrian and vehicle traffic creates a dangerous situation. Paired with alcohol consumption, it’s a recipe for a potentially fatal disaster.
As e-scooters become a more accessible and more convenient way to get around, it is important you follow the rules of the road. Here is what you need to know to ensure a safe ride for you and those around you!
1. Age limits
You need to be at least 16 years old to ride an e-scooter. Violating this age limit is subject to a fine of a jail time of up to six months or a fine of up to 100,000 yen. This goes for both drivers and the company or individuals renting out the e-scooter.
2. Some e-scooters do require a driver’s license
If your e-scooter can drive faster than 20 km/h (approx. 12.4 mph), a driver’s license is required. Please make sure you check the maximum speed of your e-scooter before riding it.
3. No riding on sidewalks
E-scooters are compact, so it is tempting to ride them on sidewalks and pedestrian paths. However, in most cases, it is illegal to do this. Most e-scooters should only be operated on the roadways by keeping left or in the bike lane. According to National Police Agency (NPA), e-scooters with a max speed of 6 km/h and below can go in paths designated for pedestrians and bicycles while giving the right of way to pedestrians and sticking to the area closest to traffic while on the path.
Lane violations can result in a jail time of up to three months or a fine of up to 50,000 yen.
In addition, those on e-scooters should yield to elderly and handicapped pedestrians. Slow down when passing school buses and watch out for small children or others deboarding the bus. A violation of these rules could lead to up to one year of jail time or a fine of up to 300,000 yen.
4. No drinking and driving
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Just like getting behind the wheel of a car, drinking and driving an e-scooter is a big no-no. Since the rule change in July, there have been several cases of DUI involving e-scooters. Violation of this rule can result in up to five years’ jail time or a fine of up to one million yen.
5. Wear a helmet
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Although this is not an obligation, negligence that can lead to punishment, it deserves attention. This is especially so given the fact that several accidents were reported where e-scooter riders were seriously or fatally injured without wearing a helmet.
On base, helmets are required for motorcycles, mopeds, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), minibikes or any other similarly designed motor vehicles, according to USFJ regulation issued in 2015.
Yokota Air Base Instruction issued in 2016 says “All SOFA status personnel are required to wear proper PPE regardless of whether they are on or off base.” PPE sands for personal protective equipment.
For non-SOFA and locals, as far as the Japanese law is concerned, wearing a helmet is “doryoku gimu” or an obligation to make the best efforts with no punishment attached.
6. Always follow traffic signals
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Just like when you are driving a car or riding a bike, you need to follow traffic signals. Failure to do so is subject to up to three months of jail time or a fine of up to 50,000 yen.
First, make sure you keep left staying with the flow of traffic when on a roadway. To make a right turn, as you would on a bicycle, you must follow the pedestrian crossing or flow of traffic. In other words, you go through the intersection staying on the left, then stop at the other side of the intersection. When the traffic light turns green to your right side, you can continue in your way towards the right. It’s a little confusing, but if you’ve ridden a bike in Japan or if you have seen other e-scooter riders and cyclists, you should be able to get the gist.
7. No tandem riding
Riding an e-scooter in tandem is prohibited. Violation of this rule is subject to a fine of up to 50,000 yen. This goes for children as well, which means you can’t ride an e-scooter with your kids.
8. No parking zone
Like bikes and vehicles, you cannot park e-scooters in random spots. Look for designated parking areas. Avoid parking in or around intersections, crosswalks, tunnels, railway gates, rail tracks, bus stops etc. Make sure you are at least 5 m away from crosswalks and intersections. Keep a distance of 10 m from bus stops, street car stops, railway gates, safety zones installed on the traffic. Parking on steep slopes need to be avoided.
If you park on the side of the road where the path is not used for pedestrians, do so parallel to the traffic, along the left end of the path outside the traffic’s left line. If the path (the side of the road) is used for pedestrians, on the other hand, make sure there is a room of 0.75 m at least to the left side of your e-scooter (for pedestrians). If you don’t have a room of 0.75 m to your left, avoid parking there.
If the road (traffic) has two parallel lines or a pair of a line and a dotted line running along its left end, avoid parking there because the side of the road is designated for pedestrians.
Parking violations can result in a fine of up to 150,000 yen.
9. Don’t text or talk and ride
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Smartphone use while operating an e-scooter is prohibited. Violators face up to one year of jail time or a fine of up to 300,000 yen.
10. Your e-scooter needs to have insurance and a number plate
Just like cars and motorcycles, your e-scooter needs to be covered by jibaiseki-hoken (compulsory auto liability insurance). Driving an e-scooter without such insurance is subject to up to one year of imprisonment and a fine of up to 500,000 yen.
If you’re using a rental e-scooter, check with the company for the type of liability insurance that applies in case of an accident occurs while riding.
Likewise, having a numberplate is mandatory for e-scooters on the road. To acquire a numberplate for your personally owned e-scooter, you need to check with your local municipality’s office.
*Based on info published by the National Police Agency (NPA), website
