Japan has reduced the speed limit on many narrow residential roads from 60 kilometers per hour (37 mph) to 30 kilometers per hour in an effort to improve pedestrian safety. The new regulation took effect on Tuesday and applies specifically to roads less than 5.5 meters wide that lack center lines or posted speed limits—features typical of urban residential streets across the country.

Authorities say these roads make up about 70% of Japan's general road network, covering approximately 870,000 kilometers. The change aims to address persistent safety concerns affecting vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, who have been disproportionately involved in fatal or serious traffic accidents on these smaller streets.

While Japan has seen a gradual decline in overall traffic fatalities, reaching a record low of 2,457 deaths last year, the number of fatalities involving pedestrians in residential areas has remained relatively steady at around 300 annually since 2021. Moreover, police data indicates that this figure increased in 2025, marking the first rise in several years.

The government's decision builds on earlier efforts, including the introduction of “zone 30” speed limit areas in 2011 on selected residential streets and school routes. That initiative resulted in a reported 30% reduction in fatalities and serious injuries in those zones. According to the national police agency, the pedestrian mortality rate in accidents involving vehicles traveling at or below 30 km/h is less than 1%. This rate increases to 2.7% for speeds between 30 and 40 km/h and jumps sharply to 17.4% at 50 to 60 km/h.

Yoshinobu Kusunoki, commissioner general of the National Police Agency, emphasized the need for drivers to exercise caution in shared spaces used by vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. The new speed limits reflect a broader strategy aimed at harmonizing road safety across all types of streets, particularly those where current measures have not yielded significant improvements.

By implementing this change nationwide, Japanese authorities hope to reduce injuries and save lives on residential roads, addressing the risks posed by traffic in densely populated urban environments.