Road signs in Japan

In Japan, road signs (道路標識, dōro-hyōshiki) are standardized by the "Order on Road Sign, Road Line, and Road Surface Marking (道路標識、区画線及び道路標示に関する命令)" established in 1968 with origins from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's "Order on Standardization of Road Sign" of 1934 and the Home Ministry of Japan's "Order on Road Signs" of 1942. The previous designs have been used since 1986 after several amendments of order.

## History
The first standardised road signage schemes appeared in 1922. At first, two types of signs were established: "road warning signs" equivalent to warning signs and "road guide signs" as information signs.
Warning signs at that time closely resembled the British design as used in Hong Kong, the only difference was the white-on-black lettering.

Japanese road signs in the early 1940s closely followed European road signage practices at that time based on the 1931 Geneva Convention, except that most road signages contained text. A variation of the early 1940s Japanese road signage system is still in use today in Taiwan.

In 1950, a complete revision of the "Road Signs Ordinance" was promulgated and enforced as an Ordinance of the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Construction. Unlike the 1922 and the 1940s devised road signs, it included both bilingual Japanese and English text and symbols. Warning signs were changed from a European red-bordered triangular design to an American MUTCD yellow diamond design. This road signage system was used until 1963, when it was replaced with a new road signage system that is based on the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals. The present-day Japanese road signage system also replaced the stop sign's shape with an inverted equilateral triangle like the stop sign used in West Germany from the 1945 to 1971.

In 2016, it was announced that the Japanese National Police Agency was considering changing the design of the "Stop" sign used on Japanese roads since 1963 from the inverted red triangle sign to an octagonal design more closely conforming to the recommendations of the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals. The inverted red triangle sign was introduced in 1963 ahead of the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, and replaced the earlier red octagonal sign used from 1960, which in turn had replaced the yellow octagonal sign used from 1950.

## Warning signs

File:Japan road sign 201-A.svg|Crossroads
File:Japan road sign 201-B-R.svg|T-intersection with road on the right
File:Japan road sign 201-B-L.svg|T-intersection with road on the left
File:Japan road sign 201-C.svg|T-junction
File:Japan road sign 201-D.svg|Y-junction
File:Japan road sign 201-2.svg|Roundabout ahead
File:Japan road sign 202-R.svg|Gentle curve to the right
File:Japan road sign 202-L.svg|Gentle curve to the left
File:Japan road sign 203-R.svg|Sharp curve to the right
File:Japan road sign 203-L.svg|Sharp curve to the left
File:Japan road sign 204-R.svg|Double gentle curve, first to the right
File:Japan road sign 204-L.svg|Double gentle curve, first to the left
File:Japan road sign 205-R.svg|Double sharp curve, first to the right
File:Japan road sign 205-L.svg|Double sharp curve, first to the left
File:Japan road sign 206-R.svg|Winding road, first curve to the right
File:Japan road sign 206-L.svg|Winding road, first curve to the left
File:Japan road sign 207-A.svg|Railroad crossingOption 1: steam locomotive
File:Japan road sign 207-B.svg|Railroad crossingOption 2: electric train
File:Japan road sign 208.svg|School
File:Japan road sign 208-2.svg|Traffic signals
File:Japan road sign 209.svg|Slippery road
File:Japan road sign 209-2.svg|Fallen rocks
File:Japan road sign 209-3.svg|Uneven surface
File:Japan road sign 210.svg|Traffic merges from the left
File:Japan road sign 211.svg|Left lane ends
File:Japan road sign 212.svg|Road narrows on both sides
File:Japan road sign 212-2.svg|Two-way traffic
File:Japan road sign 212-4.svg|Steep descent (10%, 1:10)
File:Japan road sign 212-3.svg|Steep ascent (10%, 1:10)
File:Japan road sign 213.svg|Roadwork
File:Japan road sign 214.svg|Crosswind
File:Japan road sign 214-2.svg|Watch for large animals (deer) 
File:Japan road sign 214-2 Hare.svg|Watch for large animals (rabbit) 
File:Japan road sign 214-2 Monkey.svg|Watch for large animals (monkey) 
File:Japan road sign 214-2 Raccoon-dog.svg|Watch for large animals (raccoon dogs) 
File:Japan road sign 215.svg|Danger

## Regulatory signs

File:Japan road sign 301.svg|Road closed to all
File:Japan road sign 302.svg|Road closed to vehicles
File:Japan road sign 303.svg|No entry
File:Japan road sign 304.svg|No motor vehicles except motorcycles and mopeds
File:Japan road sign 305.svg|No trucks
File:Japan road sign 306.svg|No buses
File:Japan road sign 307.svg|No motorbike or mopeds
File:Japan road sign 308.svg|No non-motorized vehicles except bicycles
File:Japan road sign 309.svg|No bicycles
File:Japan road sign 310.svg|No motor vehicles
File:Japan road sign 310-2.svg|No two-person motorbike or mopeds
File:Japan road sign 311-A-L.svg|Straight ahead or left turn permitted
File:Japan road sign 311-A-R.svg|Straight ahead or right turn permitted
File:Japan road sign 311-B-L.svg|Turn left
File:Japan road sign 311-B-R.svg|Turn right
File:Japan road sign 311-C.svg|No turns
File:Japan road sign 311-D.svg|Turn left or right
File:Japan road sign 311-E.svg|Directions permitted
File:Japan road sign 311-F-L.svg|Keep left
File:Japan road sign 311-F-R.svg|Keep right
File:Japan road sign 312.svg|No crossing center line to enter e.g. a car park
File:Japan road sign 313.svg|No U-turns
File:Japan road sign 314.svg|No crossing center line to overtake
File:Japan road sign 315.svg|No stopping
File:Japan road sign 316.svg|No parking
File:Japan road sign 318.svg|Restricted parking
File:Japan road sign 319.svg|No vehicles carrying dangerous goods
File:Japan road sign 320.svg|Weight limit
File:Japan road sign 321.svg|Height limit
File:Japan road sign 322.svg|Width limit
File:Japan road sign 325.svg|Motor vehicles only
File:Japan road sign 325-2.svg|Bicycles only
File:Japan road sign 325-3.svg|Bicycles and pedestrians only
File:Japan road sign 325-4.svg|Pedestrians only
File:Japan road sign 323 (90).svg|Maximum speed limit
File:Japan road sign 324 (50).svg|Minimum speed limit
File:Japan road sign 326-A-L.svg|One-way street to the left
File:Japan road sign 326-A-R.svg|One way street to the right
File:Japan road sign 326-B.svg|One-way street ahead
File:Japan road sign 326-2-A-L.svg|One way (bike)
File:Japanese road sign 327-2.svg|Trucks use left lane
File:Japanese road sign 327-4.svg|Buses-only lane
File:Japanese road sign 327-4-2.svg|Bicycle lane
File:Japanese road sign 327-5.svg|Buses-priority lane
File:Japanese road sign 327-7-A.svg|Lane usage
File:Japanese road sign 327-7-B.svg|Lane usage
File:Japanese road sign 327-7-C.svg|Lane usage
File:Japanese road sign 327-7-D.svg|Lane usage
File:Japan road sign 327-10.svg|Roundabout
File:Japanese Road sign 327-10.svg|Parallel parking
File:Japanese Road sign 327-11.svg|Perpendicular parking
File:Japanese Road sign 327-12.svg|Angle parking
File:Japan road sign 328.svg|Use car horns
File:Japan road sign 329-A.svg|Slow down
File:Japan road sign 330-A.svg|Stop
File:Japan road sign 331.svg|Road closed to pedestrians
File:Japan road sign 332.svg|No jaywalking

## Instruction signs

File:Japan road sign 401.svg|Cyclists are permitted to ride side-by-side.
File:Japan road sign 402.svg|Driving on tram line permitted
File:Japan road sign 405.svg|Priority road
File:Japan road sign 406.svg|Center line
File:Japanese road sign 406-2.svg|Stop line
File:Japanese Road sign (Parking lot A, Parking permitted).svg|Parking zone
File:Japan road sign 404.svg|Stopping permissive
File:Japan road sign 407-A.svg|CrosswalkAlt. A
File:Japan road sign 407-B.svg|CrosswalkAlt. B: school zone
File:Japan road sign 407-2.svg|Bike crossing
File:Japan road sign 407-3.svg|Bike and crosswalk
File:Japan road sign 408.svg|Tram stop
File:Japanese road sign 409-A.svg|Controls ahead

## Supplemental signs 
 are usually put just below the principal signs, and shows their valid range like time, day and category of vehicle. They are equivalent to the "plaque" of the American MUTCD. The width of the plates is usually 60 cm, and the sentences should be less than 7 characters per a line or 3 lines. When the sentences can not be shortened less than the limitation, they should apply changeable signs.

File:Japan road sign 501 100m.svg|100 meters ahead
File:Japan road sign 501 50m.svg|Next 50 meters
File:Japan road sign 502 exc Sunday and Holiday.svg|Except Sundays and Holidays
File:Japan road sign 502 8-20.svg|8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
File:Japan road sign 503-A exc Mopeds.svg|Except mopeds
File:Japan road sign 503-A Large Tracks 2.svg|Large trucks
File:Japan road sign 503-B Bicycles.svg|Bicycles (symbol)
File:Japan road sign 503-B Tracks.svg|Trucks (symbol)
File:Japan road sign 503-C.svg|Trucks carrying over 3 tonnes (symbol)
File:Japan road sign 503-D.svg|Only for permitted vehicles
File:Japan road sign 504.svg|Make room more than 6 meters when you park
File:Japan road sign 504-2 Parking Meter.svg|Permitted until the time the parking meter shows
File:Japan road sign 505-A.svg|Restriction begins (symbol)
File:Japan road sign 505-B.svg|Restriction begins
File:Japan road sign 505-C.svg|Restriction begins
File:Japan road sign 506.svg|Restricted zone (symbol)
File:Japan road sign 506-2.svg|Restricted zone
File:Japan road sign 507-A.svg|End of restriction (symbol)
File:Japan road sign 507-B.svg|End of restriction
File:Japan road sign 507-C.svg|End of restriction
File:Japan road sign 507-D.svg|End of restriction
File:Japan road sign 508.svg|School zone
File:Japan road sign 508-2.svg|No passing or overtaking
File:Japan road sign 509.svg|Give way
File:Japan road sign 509-2.svg|Train crossing
File:Japan road sign 509-3.svg|Crosswind
File:Japan road sign 509-4.svg|Wild animals
File:Japan road sign 509-5.svg|Caution
File:Japan road sign 510 Safety Speed.svg|Safety speed: 30 km/h
File:Japan road sign 510 Weekly Shoulder.svg|Caution soft shoulder
File:Japan road sign 510-2 Noise Control Zone.svg|Be quiet
File:Japan road sign 511.svg|direction
File:Japan road sign 512.svg|Control zone: Honmachi, Komoro
File:Japan road sign 513.svg|Starts
File:Japan road sign 514.svg|Ends

## Retired signs

File:Japan road sign 329-B.svg|Slow down (In Japanese Only, phased out in 2017)
File:Japan road sign 329-2.svg|Yield (In Japanese Only, phased out in 2017)
File:Japan road sign 330-B.svg|Stop (In Japanese Only, used from 1963 to 2017)

### 1922 road signs

File:Japan road sign 01 (1922-1942).svg|Crossroads
File:Japan road sign 02 (1922-1942).svg|Steep ascent
File:Japan road sign 03 (1922-1942).svg|Gentle curve to the left
File:Japan road sign 04 (1922-1942).svg|Gentle curve to the right
File:Japan road sign 05 (1922-1942).svg|School
File:Japan road sign 06 (1922-1942).svg|Railroad crossing
File:Japan road sign 07 (1922-1942).svg|Steep descent

### 1942 road signs

File:Japan road sign 1.01 (1942-1950).svg|Weight limit
File:Japan road sign 1.02 (1942-1950).svg|Speed limit
File:Japan road sign 2.01 (1942-1950).svg|No turns
File:Japan road sign 2.02 (1942-1950).svg|No U-turns
File:Japan road sign 2.03 (1942-1950).svg|No motor vehicles
File:Japan road sign 2.04 (1942-1950).svg|No parking
File:Japan road sign 2.05 (1942-1950).svg|No trucks
File:Japan road sign 2.06 (1942-1950).svg|No entry
File:Japan road sign 2.07 (1942-1950).svg|No left turn
File:Japan road sign 2.08 (1942-1950).svg|Right turn only
File:Japan road sign 2.09 (1942-1950).svg|Road closed to vehicles
File:Japan road sign 2.10 (1942-1950).svg|No bicycles
File:Japan road sign 2.11 (1942-1950).svg|No non-motorized vehicles except bicycles
File:Japan road sign 2.12 (1942-1950).svg|No motorcycles
File:Japan road sign 3.01 (1942-1950).svg|Winding road
File:Japan road sign 3.02 (1942-1950).svg|Danger
File:Japan road sign 3.03 (1942-1950).svg|School
File:Japan road sign 3.04 (1942-1950).svg|Slow down
File:Japan road sign 3.05 (1942-1950).svg|Level crossing
File:Japan road sign 3.06 (1942-1950).svg|Crossroads
File:Japan road sign 3.07 (1942-1950).svg|Gentle curve to the left
File:Japan road sign 3.08 (1942-1950).svg|Gentle curve to the right

### 1950 road signs

File:1950 JP Road sign 201A.svg|Crossroads
File:1950 JP Road sign 201B.svg|T-intersection
File:1950 JP Road sign 201C.svg|T-junction
File:1950 JP Road sign 201D.svg|Y-junction
File:1950 JP Road sign 202.svg|Curve
File:1950 JP Road sign 203.svg|Sharp curve
File:1950 JP Road sign 204.svg|Double curve
File:1950 JP Road sign 205.svg|Double sharp curve
File:1950 JP Road sign 206.svg|Winding road
File:1950 JP Road sign 207.svg|Railroad crossing ahead
File:1950 JP Road sign 208.svg|School
File:1950 JP Road sign 209.svg|Danger
File:1950 JP Road sign 210.svg|Caution
File:1950 JP Road sign 301.svg|Road closed
File:1950 JP Road sign 302.svg|Closed to all vehicles
File:1950 JP Road sign 303.svg|Closed to motor-cars
File:1950 JP Road sign 304.svg|Closed to carts
File:1950 JP Road sign 305.svg|Closed to bicycles
File:1950 JP Road sign 306.svg|Closed to pedestrians
File:1950 JP Road sign 307.svg|No U-turn
File:1950 JP Road sign 308A L.svg|No left turn
File:1950 JP Road sign 308A R.svg|No right turn
File:1950 JP Road sign 308B L.svg|Right turn only
File:1950 JP Road sign 308B R.svg|Left turn only
File:1950 JP Road sign 308C.svg|No turns
File:1950 JP Road sign 309.svg|No entry
File:1950 JP Road sign 310.svg|No passing
File:1950 JP Road sign 311.svg|No stopping
File:1950 JP Road sign 312.svg|No parking
File:1950 JP Road sign 401.svg|Speed limit
File:1950 JP Road sign 402.svg|Speed limit ends
File:1950 JP Road sign 403.svg|Weight limit
File:1950 JP Road sign 404.svg|Height limit
File:1950 JP Road sign 405.svg|Quiet
File:1950 JP Road sign 406.svg|Horn
File:1950 JP Road sign 407.svg|One way
File:Japanese stop sign (1950-1960).svg|Stop
File:1950 JP Road sign 501.svg|Pedestrian crossing
File:1950 JP Road sign 502.svg|Parking area
File:1950 JP Road sign 503.svg|Stop line
File:1950 JP Road sign 504.svg|Safety zone
File:1950 JP Road sign 505.svg|Construction zone
File:1950 JP Road sign 506.svg|Detour

### 1960 road signs

File:1960 JP Road sign 301.svg|Road closed
File:1960 JP Road sign 302.svg|Closed to all vehicles
File:1960 JP Road sign 303.svg|Closed to all motor vehicles
File:1960 JP Road sign 304.svg|Closed to large-sized motor vehicles
File:1960 JP Road sign 305.svg|Closed to all motor vehicles and bicycles with motor
File:1960 JP Road sign 306.svg|Closed to carts
File:1960 JP Road sign 307.svg|Closed to bicycles
File:1960 JP Road sign 308.svg|Closed to pedestrians
File:1960 JP Road sign 309A (Left).svg|No left turn
File:1960 JP Road sign 309A (Right).svg|No right turn
File:1960 JP Road sign 309B (Left).svg|Right turn only
File:1960 JP Road sign 309B (Right).svg|Left turn only
File:1960 JP Road sign 309C.svg|No turns
File:1960 JP Road sign 310 (Left).svg|No crossing for pedestrians on left
File:1960 JP Road sign 310 (Right).svg|No crossing for pedestrians on right
File:1960 JP Road sign 311.svg|No crossing for vehicles
File:1960 JP Road sign 312.svg|No U-turn
File:1960 JP Road sign 313.svg|No backing
File:1960 JP Road sign 314.svg|No passing
File:1960 JP Road sign 315.svg|No parking
File:1960 JP Road sign 316.svg|No parking or stopping
File:1960 JP Road sign 317.svg|Dangerous goods prohibited
File:1960 JP Road sign 318.svg|Maximum width
File:1960 JP Road sign 319.svg|Load limit
File:1960 JP Road sign 320.svg|Clearance
File:1960 JP Road sign 321.svg|Maximum speed limit
File:1960 JP Road sign 322.svg|Minimum speed limit
File:1960 JP Road sign 323.svg|Motor vehicles only
File:1960 JP Road sign 324 (Left).svg|One way (left)
File:1960 JP Road sign 324 (Right).svg|One way (right)
File:1960 JP Road sign 325.svg|Drive to the right side
File:1960 JP Road sign 327.svg|May drive on tramway
File:1960 JP Road sign 328.svg|Right turn toward immediate outside
File:1960 JP Road sign 329.svg|Slow down
File:1960 JP Road sign 330.svg|May stopping
File:1960 JP Road sign 331.svg|May parking
File:1960 JP Road sign 332.svg|May parking or stopping
File:1960 JP Road sign 333.svg|Parking line
File:1960 JP Road sign 334-A.svg|Right-angle parking
File:1960 JP Road sign 334-B.svg|Angle parking
File:1960 JP Road sign 335.svg|Sound horn
File:1960 JP Road sign 336.svg|Section for sound of horn
File:Japanese stop sign (1960-1963).svg|Stop

## References