Which side of the road do Japanese drive on?
4 Answers
In Japan, vehicles drive on the left side of the road. Below is extended information about traffic regulations: 1. Global Distribution: The majority of countries worldwide, including China, the United States, and Canada (166 countries and regions in total, accounting for 66%), drive on the right. Seventy-seven countries and territories, primarily Commonwealth nations like Japan and the UK, follow left-hand traffic. 2. Advantages of Right-Hand Traffic: Drivers can maintain steering wheel control with their left hand while using their right hand for gear shifting and operating dashboard controls, benefiting right-handed individuals. 3. Benefits of Left-Hand Traffic: (1) When humans detect danger during rapid movement, they instinctively lean or steer leftward, allowing the right hand to protect the body—particularly the heart on the left side. This principle explains why aircraft carrier islands are positioned on the starboard (right) side: pilots instinctively veer left when in danger, and a right-side island prevents collisions during emergency landings. (2) Since most people are right-handed, sudden encounters with hazards while driving trigger more forceful and rapid right-handed steering inputs toward the left (curbside) compared to left-handed turns toward the road center.
During my recent trip to Japan, my first impression was that they drive on the left side of the road, completely opposite to what I'm used to in right-hand traffic countries. When I took a taxi from the airport, I noticed how smoothly the drivers made left and right turns. Sitting on the left side of the seat, I was so nervous that my hands were sweating. Crossing the road was almost disastrous - when the pedestrian light turned green, I instinctively looked to the right, only to see cars zooming from the left, nearly causing an embarrassing situation! After a few days of gradual adaptation, I realized there's logic to Japan's left-side driving. For instance, the clear lane divisions help reduce traffic congestion. For friends planning to rent a car, I'd recommend first taking public transportation to get accustomed to the left-side rules, or choosing a rental car with navigation - some models automatically remind you when to turn. While the roads are generally safe and clean, international visitors should be particularly cautious about not driving after drinking, as Japan has zero tolerance for drunk driving.
Having lived in Tokyo for nearly a decade, my daily driving experience has taught me that left-hand traffic in Japan is simply the natural order of things. When I first arrived, I often forgot to switch directions, but after years of commuting by car, I now navigate left and right turns with effortless ease. Driving a right-hand drive vehicle initially felt awkward, but the unobstructed view quickly became an advantage. Strict adherence to traffic rules ensures low accident rates, especially in high-density urban areas. An elderly neighbor often remarks that left-hand driving originated from historical trade ties with British-influenced regions, coupled with Japanese car import designs that matched this orientation, hence its persistence to this day. Whenever international friends visit, I always remind them to check the directional signs carefully before setting off and to avoid cutting into lanes.
As a novice driver learning to drive in Japan, the instructor yelled on the first day: Remember, left-hand traffic, left-hand traffic, left-hand traffic! I made several mistakes, almost driving to the right when exiting the main road, and was stopped by the instructor. The adaptation period was exhausting but worth it—left-hand traffic optimizes intersection flow. During the time I rented a car for practice, I added a dashboard sticker as a reminder to stay on the right. I also had to adjust my habit of using turn signals to avoid confusion. Once the rules are clear, driving becomes easier—just stay calm.
