Annex 
Notification to invite comments on the draft ministerial ordinance to amend  a part of the Safety 
Regulations for Road Vehicles in Japan and the draft announcement to amend  a part of the 
announcements of the Safety Regulations for Road Vehicles 
 
1. Background 
There has recently been a series of accidents in Japan involving cart-type vehicles driving on public 
roads that are classified as motor-driven cycles under the Road Vehicles Act (Act No. 185 of 1952), 
mainly driven by foreign tourists. To respond to such situation and  ensure drivers’ safety, "the 
Working Group for Four-wheel Motor-driven Cycle Safety Measures" was established at "the First 
Safety Measures Study Meeting of the Year of 2017" held on June 23rd, 2017 to discuss safety measures 
for four-wheel motor-driven cycles. As a result, we compiled the content of these measures at the 
Safety Measures Study Meeting held on December 5th, 2017. 
In order to implement a proper response based on the results of this meeting, the Ministry of Land, 
Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism (MLIT) will amend the Safety Regulations of Road Vehicles 
(Ministry of Transport Ordinance No. 67 of 1954) and the announcement that prescribes the details of 
the Safety Regulations for Road Vehicles (Notification of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and 
Transport No. 619). 
 
2. Outline of Amendment 
In order to improve the safety of three- or four-wheel motor-driven cycles, the MLIT will amend the 
safety regulations as described below, and other related regulations. 
 
Measures Outline of regulation Vehicle types subjected 
to the regulation 
Installation of parts that 
enhance the visibility of 
the vehicle A certain area of the vehicle must be 
visible at a height of at least 1 m from 
the ground, whether viewed from 
front, back, left or right. Three- or four-wheel 
motor-driven cycles whose  
height of seat from the 
ground is less than 
500 mm Fitting of enhanced 
lighting equipment to 
improve night visibility Tail lights shall be mounted as close to 
the maximum height of the structure 
as possible. 
Seat belt equipment  Two-point or three-point seat belts 
shall be fitted.  Three- or four-wheel 
motor-driven cycles 
(excluding those types in 
which the rider strides 
onto a seat) Fitting of head restraints Head restraints shall be fitted. 
Fitting of a steering system 
that is designed to absorb 
impact shocks The steering system shall be designed 
to absorb impact shocks. Three- or four-wheel 
motor-driven cycles 
(excluding bar handle type 
cycles) 
Prohibition of protruding 
rotating parts. The structure shall be designed in such 
a way that the tires do not protrude. Three- or four-wheel 
motor-driven cycles  
 
  
3. Date of entry into force 
Measures Effective date for new 
vehicles Effective date for used 
vehicles 
Fitting of parts that enhance the visibility of 
the vehicle 
April 1, 2020 
 Fitting of enhanced lighting equipment to 
improve night visibility 
Seat belt 
equipment  Two-point or Three-point 
Three-point 
April 1, 2021 Not applicable Fitting of head restraints 
Fitting of a steering system that is designed to 
absorb impact shocks 
Prohibition of protruding rotating parts.