About Japan

 Smoking
You cannot smoke on the street in particular areas. You will have to pay a fine if you are caught smoking on the street. Do not smoke in areas marked "No smoking". If you throw litter such as cigarette butts on the street in particular areas (for example Chiyoda-ku, in Tokyo), a maximum fine of 50,000 yen will be charged. A person caught on the street in the prohibited smoking area (such as Shinagawa-ku, in Tokyo) receives a warning and reprimand and if the person does not obey, the person will be charged a fine.

 TAX

Indications of consumer's taxes:
When you buy goods in Japan, there is a federal tax of 5 per cent. Price tags are obliged by law to show the price including taxes. Some shops show both the price excepting taxes, and the price including taxes. When you buy something, be careful not to misunderstand the price because of the double indication.

 Sorry?
Japanese people often use 'Sumimasen', which could mean either 'I'm sorry' or 'Excuse me'. Please don't misunderstand it. In addition, if you go to Japan, you often hear the word 'Irasshaimase'. When you enter shops, you are regularly greeted with it. It means 'Welcome.' and in Japan, you do not need to answer to it.

Sidewalks

Bicycle on the sidewalk:
Normally, people are required to ride a bicycle on the pavement, but some ride on the sidewalk. Recently, a lot of accidents occurred in the cities between people and bicycles. When you walk on the sidewalk, please be careful of bicycles.

 Driving

 If you are arrested by the police for drunken driving, not only the driver but also the people who are with the driver must pay the fine. In Japan, if you drink even a drop of alcohol, you must not drive a car. According to the Traffic Law (Article 117 of Chapter 4, Section 1, Subsection 2), the penalty is "less than one year's imprisonment or a fine of less than 300,000 yen." Never drive after drinking alcohol.

  Women-only rail cars

   Japan's national railway network is world-renowned for its speed, safety and overall efficiency. The renowned 'Shinkasen' trains are super fast, clean and comfortable. However, Japan, geographically a small nation with a large population must deal with stifling overcrowding during rush hours. People pile in even when not another centimeter of space seems available and it's not uncommon for foreigners to shout, "It's full, no room!" However the Japanese commuter finds yet another tiny space to squeeze in one or two or even three more bodies even thought it seemed an impossible feat. This overcrowding unfortunately affords men of vile character to take advantage of the situation, and as painful as it is to admit, it happens that women are victims of sexual molestation. As a counter-measure, the railway companies have lately offered 'women-only cars'. The schedules and destinations are well marked and if a man should inadvertently find himself in one such a car he should immediately move to another car.