1. Types and Meanings of Traffic Signals
Pedestrians, remote controlled light vehicles (hereinafter referred to as "pedestrians, etc."), vehicles, and others proceeding on a road must obey traffic rules, and additionally follow signals indicated by traffic lights, hand signals of police officers, traffic wardens, or others, and flashlight signals.
1.1 Signals of Traffic Lights
β Follow signals of traffic lights, etc.
Signals of traffic lights are to indicate meaning for only the traffic facing it. Pedestrians, etc., vehicles, etc. must proceed following the signal ahead of (facing) them.
Key Definitions:
- "Traffic light": Devices operated by electricity that indicate signals for traffic control, etc. by lighting up. There are horizontal and vertical traffic lights.
- "Pedestrians, etc.": Refers to pedestrians or remote controlled light vehicles. The traffic methods for remote-controlled light vehicles are, in principle, the same as for pedestrians. However, they must not obstruct the passage of pedestrians.
β‘ Types and meanings of traffic light signals
| Signal Type | Signal Meaning |
|---|---|
| π’ Green light |
β Pedestrians, etc. may proceed. β‘ Vehicles (except specified light motorized bicycles and non-motorized conveyances) and streetcars may proceed straight ahead, turn left, or turn right. However, general motorized bicycles that turn right using the two-step right turn method proceed straight to the position where they are to turn right and change direction there, and wait for the signal for that direction to turn green. β’ Specified light motorized bicycles and non-motorized conveyances may proceed straight ahead or turn left. When turning right, they proceed straight to the position where they are to turn right and change direction there, and wait for the signal for that direction to turn green. "May proceed": The green light means "may proceed", not a command to "proceed". |
| π‘ Yellow light |
β Pedestrians, etc. must not start to cross. Pedestrians, etc. who are crossing must either complete the crossing quickly or stop crossing and turn back. β‘ Vehicles and streetcars must not proceed past the stopping position. However, when a vehicle is approaching the stopping position when the light turns yellow and cannot stop safely, it may continue. "When a vehicle cannot stop safely": When a sudden stop carries a risk of collision from the vehicle behind, a danger of slipping, overturning, or harm to passengers, a risk of obstructing the passage of other vehicles by being in the intersection, etc. |
| π΄ Red light |
β Pedestrians, etc. must not cross. β‘ Vehicles and streetcars must not proceed beyond the stopping position. β’ Vehicles or streetcars already turning left at the intersection may continue, even if the signal facing the new direction is red. β£ Vehicles or streetcars already turning right at the intersection may continue, even if the signal facing the new direction is red. In such cases, the vehicle or streetcar must not interfere with the progress of vehicles or streetcars traveling on a green light. However, specified light motorized bicycles and non-motorized conveyances, as well as general motorized bicycles that turn right using the two-step right turn method, must remain stopped at the position where they are to turn right when the signal facing the new direction is red. |
| π’ Green arrow light (β β β) |
Vehicles may proceed in the direction of the arrow. (U-turns may also be made on a right arrow.) However, specified light motorized bicycles and non-motorized conveyances, as well as general motorized bicycles that turn right using the two-step right turn method, may not proceed on a right arrow. |
| π‘ Yellow arrow light |
β Streetcars may proceed in the direction of the arrow. β‘ Pedestrians, etc. and vehicles must not proceed. |
| π‘ Flashing yellow light |
Pedestrians, etc., vehicles, and streetcars may proceed while paying attention to other traffic. |
| π΄ Flashing red light |
β Pedestrians, etc. may proceed while paying attention to other traffic. β‘ Vehicles and streetcars may proceed after coming to a stop at the stopping position and checking for safety. |
Two-step right turn method
For non-motorized conveyances, specified light motorized bicycles, and general motorized bicycles:
At intersections of roads where the two-step right turn method is designated by road traffic signs, etc., and at intersections of roads with 3 or more vehicular lanes on the left side of the road (or on the road itself, for one-way roads) (multi-lane roads) at which traffic is controlled.
β’ Signals controlling specified traffic
Some traffic lights are for specified subjects, as indicated by the symbol of the signal or by signboards.
For pedestrians and bicycles only: Signals with the symbol of a person are for pedestrians, etc., as well as exceptional specified light motorized bicycles and regular bicycles proceeding across a pedestrian crossing.
However, when a signboard indicates "For pedestrians and bicycles only", specified light motorized bicycles and other bicycles must also follow the signal of that traffic light.
Signboards on traffic lights controlling specified traffic:
- ζ©θ‘θ ε°η¨ (Pedestrians only)
- ζ©θ‘θ γ»θͺθ»’θ»ε°η¨ (Pedestrians and bicycles only)
- θ·―ι’ι»θ»ε°η¨ (Streetcars only)
- γγΉε°η¨ (Buses only)
- θ»½θ»δΈ‘ε°η¨ (Light vehicles only)
β£ Types and meanings of pedestrian signals
| Signal Type | Signal Meaning |
|---|---|
| π’ Green light |
β Pedestrians, etc. may proceed. β‘ Exceptional specified light motorized bicycles and regular bicycles proceeding across a pedestrian crossing may proceed straight or turn left. When turning right, they may go as far as proceeding straight to the position where they are to turn right and changing direction there. |
| π’ Flashing green light |
β Pedestrians, etc. must not start to cross. Pedestrians, etc. who are crossing must either complete the crossing quickly or stop crossing and turn back. β‘ Exceptional specified light motorized bicycles and regular bicycles which are going to proceed across a pedestrian crossing must not start to cross. However, when one is near the stopping position and cannot stop safely when the signal changes to this, it may proceed. |
| π΄ Red light |
β Pedestrians, etc. must not cross. β‘ Exceptional specified light motorized bicycles and regular bicycles which are going to proceed across a pedestrian crossing must not start to cross. |
β‘ When a signal on a traffic light has a signboard such as "buses only", only the vehicles indicated follow that signal.
2. Signals by Police Officers and Traffic Wardens
When necessary to prevent danger or ensure the safety and fluidity of traffic, police officers and traffic wardens may, at times, use hand signals, etc. indicating a meaning different from the signals of any traffic lights.
When a police officer, etc. is controlling traffic using hand or flashlight signals, these hand or flashlight signals differ from the signals of any traffic lights, signals of a police officer or a traffic warden take precedence.
Key Definitions:
- "Hand signal, etc.": Refers to signaling that police officers and traffic wardens conduct with their hands, lanterns, or other flashlights.
- "Traffic warden": Refers to police personnel who ensure the safety of the passage of pedestrians and bicycles, regulate stopped or parked vehicles, and provide other instructions concerning the safety and fluidity of traffic on roads.
- "Police officer, etc.": Refers to police officers and traffic wardens.
2.1 Hand signals
| Signal | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Arms out horizontally to the sides (or arms down) |
β Means the same as the signal of a green light for traffic parallel to the front of the body of the police officer, etc. β‘ Means the same as the signal of a red light for traffic facing the front of the body of the police officer, etc. Traffic parallel β π’ Green signal Traffic facing β π΄ Red signal |
| Arms up vertically |
β Means the same as the signal of a yellow light for traffic parallel to the front of the body of the police officer, etc. β‘ Means the same as the signal of a red light for traffic intersecting the traffic parallel to the front of the body (traffic facing the front of the body) of the police officer, etc. β» The same applies while the arms that were out horizontal to the sides are being put up vertically and while the arms which were up vertically are being returned to out horizontally Traffic parallel β π‘ Yellow signal Traffic facing β π΄ Red signal |
2.2 Flashlight signals
| Signal | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Flashlight being waved from side to side |
β Means the same as the signal of a green light for traffic proceeding in the directions the flashlight is being waved. β‘ Means the same as the signal of a red light for traffic intersecting the directions the flashlight is being waved. Traffic parallel to wave direction β π’ Green signal Traffic facing β π΄ Red signal |
| Flashlight being held above the head |
β Means the same as the signal of a yellow light for traffic proceeding in the directions the flashlight was being waved. β‘ Means the same as the signal of a red light for traffic intersecting the directions the flashlight is being waved. β» The same applies while the flashlight that is being waved is being put up above the head and while it is being returned to waving Traffic parallel β π‘ Yellow signal Traffic facing β π΄ Red signal |
3. Stopping Position
"Stopping position"
Stopping position refers to the positions below.
3.1 Stopping position where there is a stop line
At a stop line, immediately before the stop line.
β At a vehicle-specific stop line...
A stop line to prevent accidents such as hitting others when turning by making two-wheeled vehicles stop in front of four-wheeled vehicles, etc. Four-wheeled vehicles, etc. stop at the stop line for four-wheeled vehicles, and two-wheeled vehicles stop at the stop line for two-wheeled vehicles.
β At a "Stop line" sign...
The stopping position at a "Stop line" sign is immediately before the sign.
β» This sign may be installed where a stop line marking cannot be installed due to gravel roads or snowy roads, or where a stop line is installed but not easily seen.
3.2 Stopping position where there is no stop line
- β At an intersection, immediately before the intersection starts (If there is a pedestrian crossing or bicycle crossing zone next to the intersection, immediately before it).
- β‘ At a pedestrian crossing, bicycle crossing zone, or railroad crossing not located at an intersection, immediately before it.
- β’ At a traffic light not located at an intersection, without any pedestrian crossing, bicycle crossing zone, or railroad crossing, immediately before the traffic light (where the traffic signal can still be seen).
(The same applies when a police officer, etc. is using hand signals, etc.)
When a police officer, etc. is using hand signals, etc. at a place not an intersection and where there is no traffic light, without any pedestrian crossing, bicycle crossing zone, or railroad crossing, 1 m before the police officer, etc.
4. When There Is a Left Turn Permitted Signboard
When a "Left turn permitted" signboard (a blue left arrow on white background) is installed at the left edge of the road or on a traffic light, a vehicle may turn left while paying attention to surrounding traffic such as pedestrians, even if the signal ahead is red or yellow.
(The same applies when a police officer, etc. is using a hand signal, etc. that means the same as a red or yellow of a traffic light.)
However, the vehicle must not interfere with the passage of pedestrians, bicycles, or other vehicles crossing according to a signal.
β οΈ Note the signs are different
The "One-way" sign is a white arrow on blue background (pointing in the allowed direction).
The "Left turn permitted" sign is a blue arrow on white background.
5. Cautions Regarding Traffic Signals
5.1 How to Read Traffic Signals and How to Respond
With traffic light signals, look at the signal ahead (facing) to act. Even if a signal for a crossing road is red, the signal ahead is not necessarily green.
For example, there are traffic lights where the signal for a specific direction is set to turn red at a shifted time, such as the staggered signal traffic light, or traffic lights which temporarily turn the signal for all directions red to separate pedestrians, etc. and vehicles (pedestrian-vehicle separating signal).
Types of signals and intersections:
- β Staggered signal: A traffic light where the signal for a specific direction is set to turn red at a shifted time.
- β‘ Responsive signal: A traffic light which detects vehicles by means of detectors installed on the road and automatically adjusts the signal cycle.
- β’ Separate signal: An intersection with traffic controlled using only green arrow signals. The red signal remains on and does not turn green. Be aware of this, as overlooking the arrow signal and remaining stopped carries the danger of rear-end collision, in addition to disturbing other vehicles.
- β£ Pedestrian-vehicle separating signal: A traffic light that completely separates the flow of pedestrians, etc. and bicycles from vehicles.
- Turning vehicle separating type: Prevents vehicles from turning right or left while pedestrians, etc. and bicycles are crossing.
- Scramble type: All signals for vehicles are turned red, enabling pedestrians, etc. to cross in any direction, such as diagonally.
5.2 Other Cautions regarding Traffic Signals
β Prohibition against premature starting
When waiting for a signal, it is very dangerous to start moving after seeing a signal for a crossing road turn yellow or red, anticipating a green though the signal ahead is red (premature starting). Always act following the signal ahead.
β οΈ Danger of Premature Starting
Irritated β Impatient β Dangerous
β‘ Cautions regarding remaining pedestrians
Even if the signal ahead turns green, there may be pedestrians who have not finished crossing a pedestrian crossing or bicycle crossing zone (remaining pedestrians), or pedestrians or bicycles, etc. may suddenly dart out onto the road to cross. Start moving only after checking the surroundings for safety.
Always check surroundings before starting, even on a green light!