The original rules, including a basic smoking ban in restaurants regardless of how large they are, will be put into force in stages before fully taking effect in April 2020, ahead of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics of that year.
An ordinance for the prevention of secondhand smoking, including unique restrictions, was approved by a majority vote at a plenary meeting of the metropolitan assembly, although the Liberal Democratic Party opposed it.
"We aim for a Tokyo where both smokers and nonsmokers feel comfortable," Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told reporters after the assembly meeting. "Taking (the passage of) the metropolitan ordinance as a cue, we'll promote a 'health first' metropolitan administration," she said.
In Tokyo, smoking will be prohibited in all establishments serving food or drink that have hired staff, except in specially designated smoking rooms. The only exception will be restaurants and bars run entirely by family members. Offenders will be fined up to 50,000 yen.
News On Japan - Nov 26
Panicked passengers on a Shinkansen bullet train were evacuated at a central Japan station on Friday night, after a plastic bag containing suspicious liquid was found onboard.
Reuters - Nov 26
Japan detected the first case of highly pathogenic H5-type bird flu this season at a poultry farm in the south of the country, public broadcaster NHK reported on Saturday.
News On Japan - Nov 25
Inui Street, the famed autumn walk within the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo, opened to the public from Saturday.
News On Japan - Nov 25
Tofukuji Temple, home to 2,000 maple trees and renowned as one of Kyoto's premier autumn hotspots, features the Tsutenkyo Bridge, and the breathtaking 'sea of autumn leaves'.
News On Japan - Nov 24
The amount of undeclared income by wealthy people in Japan has reached a record high of 98 billion yen, among the worst offenders being scrap gold wholesalers, breeders and yakiniku restaurants, the National Tax Agency announced on Friday.
Total Film - Nov 24
After hitting the big screen in its native Japan on November 3, Godzilla Minus One is about to make its way overseas – and it's a hit with international critics.
News On Japan - Nov 23
Russians continue to be the worst offenders among cars with foreign diplomatic number plates when it comes to not paying off parking fines in Japan.
News On Japan - Nov 23
As Kyoto's autumn foliage reaches its peak, swarms of tourists have converged on the ancient capital, captivated by stunning displays like Wednesday evening's illumination at Kiyomizu Temple.