Stop signJapan

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Japan. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


17. Stop sign

A stop sign requires drivers to bring their vehicle to a complete stop and give way before entering or crossing the road ahead. The stop must be made at the stop line or another legally prescribed position.

After stopping, the driver may continue only when this can be done safely and without interfering with traffic that has priority. The sign does not create priority for the driver who has stopped.

Stop sign
Stop sign displaying both '止まれ' and 'STOP'. (Nagoya, Japan)
Wikimedia.org • 円周率3パーセント • CC BY-SA
Must I stop completely at a stop sign in Japan?

Yes. Come to a complete stop when the applicable stop sign controls your approach, even when you cannot see another road user. Slowing to a crawl is not a stop. Japan uses a red inverted triangular stop sign displaying 止まれ, with STOP on the bilingual version. It must not be mistaken for a give-way sign because of its shape.

🔗 laws.e-gov.go.jp • Japan Road Traffic Act — Article 43

🔗 laws.e-gov.go.jp • e-Gov — current enforced Road Traffic Act, revision metadata and full text

🔗 npa.go.jp • NPA — Traffic Lights and Road Signs, official English definitions

🔗 npa.go.jp • NPA — traffic instruction handbook, sign groups and road use; read with current Act

Where must I stop at a stop-controlled junction in Japan?

Stop immediately before the stop line. If no stop line is indicated, stop immediately before the junction. The Road Traffic Act’s yielding requirement continues after the stop.

🔗 laws.e-gov.go.jp • Japan Road Traffic Act — Article 43

🔗 laws.e-gov.go.jp • e-Gov — current enforced Road Traffic Act, revision metadata and full text

🔗 npa.go.jp • NPA — Traffic Lights and Road Signs, official English definitions

🔗 npa.go.jp • NPA — traffic instruction handbook, sign groups and road use; read with current Act

Does stopping first give me priority at a stop sign in Japan?

A complete stop does not, by itself, give you priority. Give way to the road users entitled to pass under the junction’s signs and rules, check pedestrians and cyclists, and proceed only when the gap is safe. Do not follow another stopped vehicle through without satisfying your own stopping and yielding duties.

🔗 laws.e-gov.go.jp • Japan Road Traffic Act — Article 43

🔗 laws.e-gov.go.jp • e-Gov — current enforced Road Traffic Act, revision metadata and full text

🔗 npa.go.jp • NPA — Traffic Lights and Road Signs, official English definitions

🔗 npa.go.jp • NPA — traffic instruction handbook, sign groups and road use; read with current Act

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