Japan Cuts Speed Limit on Residential Roads to 30 km/h

Aug 31, 2026 | News On Japan

HYOGO - Japan will lower the statutory speed limit on certain residential roads from 60 kilometers per hour to 30 km/h from September 1, with police in Hyogo Prefecture urging drivers to familiarize themselves with the new rules and drive more carefully in neighborhood areas.

Ahead of the change, Hyogo Prefectural Police and others distributed leaflets outside JR Kakogawa Station informing motorists and pedestrians about the lower statutory speed limit.

Under the revised Road Traffic Act taking effect on September 1, the statutory limit on so-called residential roads without center lines or similar road markings will be reduced from 60 km/h to 30 km/h.

"We hope drivers will slow down on residential roads and help create communities without traffic accidents," said Kazuhito Yoshida, an assistant police inspector at the Kakogawa Police Station of Hyogo Prefectural Police.

Hyogo Prefectural Police plans to conduct awareness campaigns across the prefecture on August 31 and September 1, calling attention to the lower speed limit and urging motorists to follow safe-driving practices.

Source: MBS

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