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Give wayJapan

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.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Japan

18. Give way

A give-way sign requires drivers to allow traffic with priority to proceed before entering, crossing or joining a road. Drivers must reduce speed, observe approaching traffic and stop when necessary.

Unlike a stop sign, a give-way sign does not always require a complete stop. The driver may continue without stopping only when the route is clearly safe and no road user with priority is forced to change speed or direction.

Give way
A give way sign. (Shiga, Japan)
Wikimedia.org • 運動会プロテインパワー • CC BY-SA
What does giving way mean in Japan?

Japan regulates yielding through its junction rules and signs such as Slow and Stop. Give way to a priority road or a clearly wider intersecting road as required; do not treat a Slow instruction as a Stop instruction.

🔗 laws.e-gov.go.jp • Japan Road Traffic Act — Articles 36, 42–43

🔗 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

Give way. Give way.

English • Traffic sign 330-B • Stop. Stop completely immediately before the stop line or, if none exists, immediately before the junction. Proceed without obstructing traffic on the intersecting road.

日本語 • 330-B • 一時停止。 停止線の直前で完全に停止してください。停止線がない場合は交差点の直前で停止し、交差する道路の交通を妨げないように進んでください。

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Laws.e-gov.go.jp • 道路標識、区画線及び道路標示に関する命令、別表第一・第二
🔗 Mlit.go.jp • 国土交通省、道路標識一覧
🔗 Npa.go.jp • 警察庁、交通規制基準（令和8年3月16日改正）、PDF 153ページ

SVG source: Eastwind41 • Public domain • Original revision 2017-11-24. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Must you always stop when giving way in Japan?

No blanket stopping duty follows from yielding alone. A Slow sign requires reduced speed, while a Stop sign requires a complete stop at the designated position. Poor visibility and the junction’s priority arrangement impose additional duties.

🔗 laws.e-gov.go.jp • Japan Road Traffic Act — Articles 36, 42–43

🔗 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

Which direction has priority at an uncontrolled junction in Japan?

Japan’s ordinary uncontrolled-junction rule generally requires yielding to vehicles approaching from the left, with separate rules for priority roads, clearly wider roads and trams. Follow those rules and the actual controls; do not substitute priority from the right.

🔗 laws.e-gov.go.jp • Japan Road Traffic Act — Articles 36, 42–43

🔗 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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