①The rules for vehicle and streetcar traffic over roads are governed by this Chapter.

②To apply this Chapter, a vehicle that is being towed by a motor vehicle or motorized bicycle is deemed to be part of that motor vehicle or motorized bicycle.

③The provisions of this Chapter that pertain to traffic at intersections do not apply to a motor vehicle proceeding along a main roadway.

④To apply this Chapter to a road with a bicycle path, the bicycle path is treated as one roadway and the part of the road that is not the bicycle path is treated as another roadway.

①On a road with demarcations between a sidewalk or a side strip (hereinafter referred to in this Article and paragraph (1) of the following Article as a "sidewalk or side strip") and the roadway, a vehicle must proceed along the roadway; provided, however, that this does not apply if circumstances compel the driver to cross the sidewalk or side strip in order to enter or leave a facility or place outside the road, or when the vehicle passes through the sidewalk or side strip to the extent necessary for the driver to stop or park on the sidewalk or side strip pursuant to Article 47, paragraph (3) or Article 48.

②In a case as referred to in the proviso to the preceding paragraph, the vehicle must come to a stop immediately before entering the sidewalk or side strip and must not prevent pedestrians from proceeding.

③A vehicle other than a specified small motorized bicycle (meaning a motorized bicycle that falls under Article 2, paragraph (1), item (x), (b); the same applies hereinafter), a two-wheeled or three-wheeled bicycle, or any other vehicle that satisfies the criteria that Cabinet Office Order prescribes as being of a body size and structure not likely to hinder other vehicles from proceeding on a bicycle path (this excludes such vehicles with a sidecar and those that are towing other vehicles) must not enter onto a bicycle path; provided, however, that a vehicle may cut across a bicycle path if circumstances compel the driver to do so in order to enter or leave a facility or place outside the road.

④A vehicle must proceed along the part of the road (or the part of the roadway, if the road with demarcations between the sidewalk or side strip and the roadway; the same applies hereinafter through Section 9-2) to the left of the center (if a railway track runs along the side edge of a road, this means the center of the part of the road that does not include the track bed, and if a center line is indicated by road signs or markings, the center of the road is the part of the road that is indicated to be the center line; the same applies hereinafter) (hereinafter, the part of the road to the left of the center is referred to as the "left side" of the road).

⑤Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, a vehicle may stray fully or partially onto the part of the road to the right side of the center (hereinafter referred to as the "right side" of the road) in the cases set forth in the following items. In such a case, the driver of the vehicle must ensure that as little of the vehicle as possible strays onto the right side, except in the case set forth in item (i):

⑥It is prohibited for a vehicle to enter a safety zone or any other part of the road that road signs or markings indicate is not being made available for vehicle traffic.

①Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, among specified small motorized bicycles, one that falls under all of the following items and is not towing another vehicle (excluding one that can be made to travel by remote operation; referred to as a "specified small motorized bicycle under the special exception" in this Article and the following Article) may travel on a sidewalk where road signs or markings provide that a specified small motorized bicycle under the special exception may travel on a sidewalk; provided, however, that this does not apply where an officer, finding it necessary to ensure the safety of pedestrians, has instructed that the sidewalk must not be used.

②In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, a specified small motorized bicycle under the special exception must drive at reduced speed on the part of the sidewalk between the center and the roadway (or, if there is a part of the sidewalk for use by standard bicycles, on that part), and must come to a stop if its progress would prevent pedestrians from proceeding; provided, however, that, as regards the part of the sidewalk for use by standard bicycles, if there are no pedestrians proceeding down or about to enter that part, the bicycle may travel down it at a safe speed and in a safe manner, in keeping with sidewalk conditions.

①Notwithstanding Article 17, paragraph (1), a specified small motorized bicycle under the special exception and a light road vehicle may use a side strip on the left side of a road (other than a side strip demarcated by road markings prohibiting use by specified small motorized bicycles under the special exception and light road vehicles) unless doing so would greatly prevent pedestrians from proceeding.

②In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the driver of a specified small motorized bicycle under the special exception or a light road vehicle must progress down the side strip at such a speed and in such a way as to not prevent pedestrians from proceeding.

①Unless a vehicle (other than a trolleybus) is proceeding down a road with vehicle traffic lanes, it must proceed down the road keeping to the left side of the road if it is a motor vehicle or general motorized bicycle (meaning a motorized bicycle that falls under Article 2, paragraph (1), item (x), (a); the same applies hereinafter), and keeping to the left edge of the road if it is a specified small motorized bicycle or a light road vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a "specified small motorized bicycle or light road vehicle"); provided, however, that this does not apply when the driver is passing; if the driver is moving towards the center or right edge of a road pursuant to Article 25, paragraph (2) or Article 34, paragraph (2) or (4); or if road conditions or other circumstances compel the driver to do otherwise.

②When passing a pedestrian while proceeding, pursuant to the preceding paragraph, down a road without demarcations between the sidewalk and the roadway or in any other case, the driver of a vehicle must maintain a safe distance between the vehicle and the pedestrian or drive at a reduced speed.

③When a vehicle (other than a specified small motorized bicycle or light road vehicle) goes by on the right side of a specified small motorized bicycle or light road vehicle proceeding in the same direction as that vehicle (excluding one proceeding on a sidewalk or bicycle path) (excluding the case of passing that specified small motorized bicycle or light road vehicle), and there is not sufficient distance between that vehicle and that specified small motorized bicycle or light road vehicle, the vehicle must proceed at a safe speed suited to the distance from that specified small motorized bicycle or light road vehicle.

④In the case prescribed in the preceding paragraph, that specified small motorized bicycle or light road vehicle must proceed keeping to the left edge of the road as far as possible.

The driver of a light road vehicle must not pull abreast of another light road vehicle if doing so would result in those light road vehicles traveling abreast of each other.

①On a road with vehicle traffic lanes, a vehicle must proceed down the first lane from the left edge of the road; provided, however, that if the left side of the road (or the road itself, if it is a one-way street) has at least three vehicle traffic lanes, a motor vehicle (other than a special small motor vehicle or motor vehicle designated by road signs or markings) may proceed down any vehicle traffic lane other than the rightmost lane, pursuant to Cabinet Order and in accordance with its speed.

②On a road with vehicle traffic lanes, if road signs or markings specify a traffic distribution different from that which the preceding paragraph prescribes, vehicles must abide by that distribution of traffic in proceeding down those vehicle traffic lanes.

③When passing; when moving towards the left edge, center, or right edge of a road pursuant to Article 18, paragraph (4), Article 25, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 34, paragraphs (1) through (5) or Article 35-2; when proceeding in accordance with Article 35, paragraph (1); when continuing along a vehicle traffic lane down which the vehicle has been proceeding pursuant to Article 26-2, paragraph (3); when temporarily giving way pursuant to Article 40, paragraph (2); or if road conditions or other circumstances compel it, the driver of a vehicle may proceed other than in accordance with the preceding two paragraphs. When passing another vehicle in such a case, the driver must use the vehicle traffic lane that is to the immediate right of the vehicle traffic lane in which the vehicle has been proceeding.

①On a road with a vehicle traffic lane indicated by road signs or markings to be a priority lane for motor vehicles that a provider of motor carrier services for ride-sharing by general passengers as prescribed in Article 9, paragraph (1) of the Road Transportation Act make available for scheduled transportation on fixed routes as prescribed in Article 5, paragraph (1), item (iii) of that Act or for any other motor vehicle as prescribed by Cabinet Order (hereinafter referred to in this Article as a "fixed-route bus or other such motor vehicle"), a motor vehicle (other than a fixed-route bus or other such motor vehicle; the same applies hereinafter in this Article) must not proceed down that lane if traffic congestion on the road would render it unable to move out of the lane in the event that a fixed-route bus or other such motor vehicle approached from behind; and if a fixed-route bus or other such motor vehicle approaches from behind when a motor vehicle is proceeding down such a lane, the motor vehicle must promptly move out of the lane so as not to obstruct its regular operation; provided, however, that this does not apply if a motor vehicle is required pursuant to other provisions of this Act to proceed down that lane or if a motor vehicle must proceed down that lane due to road conditions or other compelling circumstances.

②The main clause of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article does not apply to a motor vehicle proceeding along any vehicle traffic lane or road section that is to the immediate right of the vehicle traffic lane prescribed in the preceding paragraph.

①A vehicle (other than a trolleybus; the same applies hereinafter in this Article and paragraph (1) of the following Article) must not enter a railway track bed, except when driving across it in order to turn left, turn right, cut across the road, or make a U-turn, or unless the driver is compelled to do so in order to prevent a hazard.

②Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, a vehicle may enter a track bed in the cases set forth in the following items. In such a case, the vehicle must not prevent streetcars from proceeding:

③If a streetcar approaches from behind while a vehicle is proceeding down a track bed, the driver of the vehicle must promptly move off the track bed or maintain the necessary distance from the streetcar so as not to obstruct its regular operation.

①A vehicle must not exceed the posted maximum speed limit when traveling on a road where a maximum speed limit is specified by road signs or markings, and must not exceed the maximum speed limit prescribed by Cabinet Order when traveling on any other road.

②A streetcar or trolleybus must not exceed the posted maximum speed limit when traveling on a road where a maximum speed limit below that which has been prescribed by an order based on Article 14 (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 31 of that Act; the same applies in Article 62) of the Railway Track Act (Act No. 76 of 1921) is specified by road signs or markings, and must not exceed the maximum speed limit prescribed by such an order on any other road.

①If the driver of a vehicle violates the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to in this Article and Article 75-2, paragraph (1) as committing a "violation (of the maximum speed limit)") in connection with the services of the vehicle's user(other than the selfsame driver of the vehicle; the same applies hereinafter in this Article), and the user of the vehicle in which the violation occurs is found not to be undertaking the necessary operational management to prevent such violations from occurring in that vehicle, the public safety commission with jurisdiction over the vehicle's base of operations may instruct the user to direct or advise its drivers to drive in a way that does not violate the maximum speed limit, and may instruct the user to take other measures that are needed for preventing violations of the maximum speed limit.

②If the user of a vehicle that is subject to instructions as under the preceding paragraph is a motor carrier as prescribed in the Road Transportation Act, a person engaged in Type II cargo transportation services as prescribed in the Cargo Forwarder Service Act (Act No. 82 of 1989), or a track operator as prescribed in the Railway Track Act (but only a trolleybus operator), the instructions must be issued based on an agreement entered into in advance between the public safety commission and the administrative agency that supervises its services.

When proceeding down a road (other than the main roadway of a national expressway as prescribed in Article 75-4) where a minimum speed limit is specified by road signs or markings, a motor vehicle must not travel at a speed below that minimum speed limit, except when the driver reduces speed pursuant to laws and regulations or is compelled to do so in order to prevent a hazard.

The driver of a vehicle or streetcar must not suddenly apply the brakes in a way that causes the vehicle or streetcar to stop suddenly or sharply reduce speed, unless compelled to do so in order to prevent a hazard.

①To make a left turn and exit the road, a driver must bring a vehicle as close as possible to the left edge of the road beforehand and reduce speed.

②To make a right turn and exit the road, a driver must bring a vehicle (other than a specified small motorized bicycle or light road vehicle, or a trolleybus) as close as possible to the center of the road beforehand (or as close as possible to the right edge of the road, if the road is a one-way street) and drive at reduced speed.

③Once the driver of a vehicle indicates the intention to make a left or right turn in order to exit the road and brings the vehicle towards the left edge, center, or right edge of the road pursuant to the preceding two paragraphs, the driver of a vehicle behind the turning vehicle must not obstruct the course of the turning vehicle unless avoiding this would make the driver have to suddenly change speed or direction.

①The driver of a vehicle must not make a left or right turn, cut across a road, make a U-turn, or back up in order to enter a facility or place adjoining a road if doing so would likely obstruct the normal flow of pedestrian or other vehicle or streetcar traffic.

②The driver of a vehicle must not cut across a road, make a U-turn, or back up on a part of the road where doing so is prohibited by road signs or markings.

When proceeding down the road in a vehicle or streetcar immediately behind another vehicle or streetcar on the same course, the driver must maintain the distance that would be necessary to allow the driver to avoid a collision even if the vehicle or streetcar traveling immediately in front of it were to stop suddenly.

①The driver of a vehicle must not change course without due cause.

②The driver of a vehicle must not change course if this would likely cause a sudden change of speed or direction by a vehicle or streetcar that is approaching from behind on the same course that the driver would be on after changing course.

③Except in the following cases, when proceeding down a vehicle traffic lane demarcated with road markings to show that a change of course is prohibited for vehicles in that lane, the driver of a vehicle must not change course beyond where those road markings start:

①When a second vehicle subject to a higher maximum speed limit as prescribed by Cabinet Order based on Article 22, paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to in this Article as the "maximum speed limit") catches up with a first vehicle (other than a motor vehicle that a provider of motor carrier services for ride-sharing by general passengers as prescribed in Article 9, paragraph (1) of the Road Transportation Act uses for scheduled transportation on a fixed route as prescribed in Article 5, paragraph (1), item (iii) of that Act or a motor vehicle used for motor carrier services open to specific passengers as prescribed in Article 3, item (ii) of that Act (hereinafter referred to as a "bus"), and other than a trolleybus), the first vehicle must not increase its speed until the second vehicle has finished passing it. The same applies when a second vehicle that is subject to the same or a lower maximum speed limit catches up to a first vehicle, if the driver of the first vehicle seeks to continue to travel at a lower speed than the second vehicle.

②Notwithstanding Article 18, paragraph (1), unless a road has vehicle traffic lanes, if a second vehicle subject to a higher maximum speed limit catches up with a first vehicle (other than a bus or trolleybus) and there is insufficient room between the center of the road (or the right edge of the road, if the road is a one-way street; the same applies hereinafter in this paragraph) and the first vehicle for the second vehicle to pass, the driver of the first vehicle must give way to the second vehicle by bringing the first vehicle as close as possible to the left edge of the road. The same applies when a second vehicle that is subject to the same or a lower maximum speed limit catches up to a first vehicle, if the driver of the first vehicle seeks to continue to travel at a lower speed than the second vehicle and there is insufficient room between the center of the road and the first vehicle for the second vehicle to pass.

①When attempting to pass another vehicle, the driver of a vehicle must keep to the right side of the vehicle that the driver is attempting to pass (hereinafter referred to in this Section as the "leading vehicle").

②Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, when attempting to pass a leading vehicle that is traveling close to the center or the right edge of a road pursuant to Article 25, paragraph (2) or Article 34, paragraph (2) or (4), the driver of a vehicle must keep to the left side of the leading vehicle.

③When attempting to pass a streetcar, the driver of a vehicle must keep to the left side of the streetcar; provided, however, that this does not apply if the track runs along the left edge of the road.

④In the cases referred to in the preceding three paragraphs, the driver of a vehicle that is attempting to pass another vehicle (referred to in the following Article as the "trailing vehicle") must pay due attention to the traffic coming from the opposite direction and from behind it and the traffic ahead of the leading vehicle or streetcar, and must proceed at the safest possible speed and in the safest possible manner, in keeping with the speed and course of the leading vehicle or streetcar and the road conditions.

A trailing vehicle must not start to pass a leading vehicle when the leading vehicle is attempting to pass another motor vehicle or trolleybus.

A vehicle must not change course or go past the side of a leading vehicle in order to pass another vehicle (other than a specified small motorized bicycle or light road vehicle) on a part of the road where passing is prohibited by road signs or markings or on any of the following other parts of the road:

Having caught up with a streetcar that has stopped to load or unload passengers, the driver of a vehicle must stop behind the streetcar until it finishes loading and unloading passengers and until all persons who have alighted from the streetcar have finished crossing or are no longer trying to cross ahead of the vehicle on the left side of the streetcar; provided, however, that, if there is a safety zone in place to ensure the safety of persons boarding and alighting from a streetcar or if no person is boarding or alighting from a streetcar and it is possible to maintain a distance of at least 1.5 meters from the left side of the streetcar, a vehicle may pass the streetcar on its left side at a reduced speed.

Once the driver of a bus that has been stopped at a bus stop to load or unload passengers gives a hand or turn signal to indicate the intention to change course in order to depart, the driver of a vehicle behind the bus must not obstruct its change of course unless avoiding this would make the driver have to suddenly change speed or direction.

Having caught up with a vehicle or streetcar that is stopped or driving at a reduced speed in order to stop pursuant to laws and regulations, in compliance with a police officer's orders, or to prevent a hazard; or having caught up with another vehicle or streetcar that is stopped or driving at a reduced speed behind a leading vehicle or streetcar, the driver of a vehicle must not pass on the left side of the leading vehicle or streetcar or pull in front of or cross ahead of the vehicle or streetcar

①Before going over a railroad crossing, the driver of a vehicle or streetcar must stop immediately in front of the railroad crossing (or immediately in front of any stop line established by road signs or markings; the same applies hereinafter in this paragraph) and must not proceed until after checking that it is safe to do so; provided, however, that the vehicle or streetcar may proceed without stopping immediately before a railroad crossing when complying with a signal indicated by a traffic light.

②A vehicle or streetcar must not enter a railroad crossing while a railroad crossing gate is closing or closed or while a railroad crossing alarm is sounding.

③If the driver of a vehicle or streetcar becomes unable to drive the vehicle or streetcar at a railroad crossing due to a malfunction or other such circumstance, the driver must immediately take measures, such as giving an emergency signal, to inform a staff member of the railroad or tramway or a police officer that a vehicle or streetcar is stopped at the railroad crossing due to a malfunction or other such circumstance, and must also take the necessary measures to move the vehicle or streetcar to a place other than the railroad crossing.

①To make a left turn, a driver must bring a vehicle as close as possible to the left edge of the road beforehand, and proceed along that edge for as long as possible (or down the part of the road specified by road signs or markings, if any) at a reduced speed.

②To make a right turn, the driver of a motor vehicle, general motorized bicycle, or trolleybus must bring it as close as possible to the center of the road beforehand, and drive at reduced speed through the intersection just inside its center point (or through the part specified by road signs or markings as that to be used, if any).

③To make a right turn, the driver of a specified small motorized bicycle or light road vehicle must bring the vehicle as close as possible to the left edge of the road beforehand, and drive at reduced speed through the intersection along its outer edge.

④Notwithstanding paragraph (2), to make a right turn on a one-way street, the driver of a motor vehicle, general motorized bicycle, or trolleybus must bring it as close as possible to the right edge of the road beforehand, and drive at reduced speed through the intersection inside its center point (or through the part specified by road signs or markings as that to be used, if any).

⑤Notwithstanding paragraph (2) and the preceding paragraph, to make a right turn on a road for which road signs or markings designate that, for a right turn of a general motorized bicycle at an intersection where traffic control is carried out, the bicycle must proceed along the side edge of the intersection, and on any other road with three or more vehicle traffic lanes on the left side of the road (or on the road itself, if it is a one-way street) (hereinafter referred to in this paragraph as a "multi-lane road") (but only when turning right at an intersection where traffic control is carried out), the driver of a general motorized bicycle must bring it as close as possible to the left edge of the road beforehand, and drive at reduced speed along the side edge of the intersection; provided, however, that this does not apply when road signs or markings designate, on a multi-lane road, that a general motorized bicycle must move beforehand towards the center or the right edge of the road for a right turn at an intersection where traffic control is carried out.

⑥When the driver of a vehicle uses a hand or turn signal to indicate the intention to move towards the left edge, center, or right edge of the road pursuant to the preceding paragraphs before turning left or right on a road, the driver of a vehicles behind that vehicle must not obstruct the change of course unless avoiding this would make that driver have to suddenly change speed or direction.

①Notwithstanding paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of that Article, if road signs or markings on a road with vehicle traffic lanes specify a traffic distribution for the directions in which vehicles proceed at an intersection, the driver of a vehicle (other than a specified small motorized bicycle or light road vehicle, and other than a general motorized bicycle that turns left or right at an intersection where, for a right turn, a general motorized bicycle is to comply with the main clause of paragraph (5) of the preceding Article) must proceed along those vehicle traffic lanes in accordance with that distribution of traffic; provided, however, that this does not apply when unavoidable in order to comply with Article 40, or due to road damage, road work, or any other obstruction.

②The provisions of paragraph (6) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis if the driver of a vehicle uses a hand or turn signal to indicate the intention to change course in order to abide by a distribution of traffic as referred to in the preceding paragraph.

①Notwithstanding Article 34, paragraphs (1) through (5), to make a left or a right turn through a roundabout, a driver must bring a vehicle as close as possible to the left edge of the road beforehand, and proceed for as long as possible along the outer edge of the roundabout (or down the part of the road specified by road signs or markings, if any) at a reduced speed.

②To go straight or make a U-turn through a roundabout, a driver must bring a vehicle as close as possible to the left edge of the road beforehand, and proceed for as long as possible along the outer edge of the roundabout (or down the part of the road specified by road signs or markings, if any) at a reduced speed.

①Unless the following paragraph applies, it is prohibited for the driver of either a vehicle or streetcar, these being classed separately as set forth in each of the following items, to obstruct the progress of another vehicle or streetcar as set forth in the item at an uncontrolled intersection:

②At an uncontrolled intersection, a vehicle or streetcar must not obstruct the progress of other vehicles and streetcars traveling on an intersecting road that constitutes a priority road (meaning a road designated as such by road signs or markings, or a road at whose intersections a center line or vehicle traffic lanes have been established by road signs or markings in order to regulate the movement of vehicles on the road; the same applies hereinafter) or of other vehicles and streetcars traveling on an intersecting road that is clearly wider than the road on which the first vehicle or streetcar is traveling, unless the road on which the first vehicle or streetcar is traveling is also a priority road.

③Before entering an uncontrolled intersection, the driver of a vehicle or streetcar (other than a vehicle or streetcar traveling on a priority road) must drive at reduced speed if the intersecting road is a priority road or is clearly wider than the road on which that vehicle or streetcar is proceeding.

④Before entering an intersection and when traveling through it, the driver of a vehicle or streetcar must pay particular attention to vehicles and streetcars traveling on intersecting roads, vehicles and streetcars approaching from the opposite direction and turning right, and pedestrians crossing the road at or in the immediate vicinity of the intersection, and must proceed at the safest possible speed and in the safest possible manner, in keeping with the conditions at the intersection.

When making a right turn at an intersection, a vehicle or streetcar must not obstruct the progress of other vehicles and streetcars passing straight through or turning left at the intersection.

①Notwithstanding Article 36, paragraphs (1) and (2) and the preceding Article, a vehicle or streetcar in a roundabout must not obstruct the progress of other vehicles and streetcars in the roundabout.

②Notwithstanding Article 36, paragraph (3), a vehicle or streetcar must reduce speed when entering a roundabout.

③Notwithstanding Article 36, paragraph (4), when about to enter a roundabout and when traveling in it, the driver of a vehicle or streetcar must pay particular attention to vehicles and streetcars about to enter the roundabout, vehicles and streetcars traveling in the roundabout, and pedestrians crossing the road at or in the immediate vicinity of the roundabout, and must proceed at the safest possible speed and in the safest possible manner, in keeping with the conditions at the roundabout.

①When approaching a pedestrian crossing or a bicycle crossing lane (hereinafter referred to in this Article as a "pedestrian or bicycle crossing"), a vehicle or streetcar must proceed at a speed that will enable it to stop immediately in front of the pedestrian or bicycle crossing (or immediately in front of any stop line indicated by road signs or markings; the same applies hereinafter in this paragraph), unless there are clearly no pedestrians or bicycles (hereinafter referred to in this Article as a "pedestrian or cyclist") ahead of the vehicle or streetcar. In such a case, if a pedestrian or cyclist is crossing or about to cross the pedestrian or bicycle crossing ahead of the vehicle or streetcar, the vehicle or streetcar must come to a stop immediately in front of the pedestrian or bicycle crossing and must not prevent that pedestrian or cyclist from proceeding.

②When overtaking another vehicle or streetcar on one side before pulling in front of it, the driver of a vehicle or streetcar must come to a stop if the other vehicle or streetcar is stopped at or immediately in front of a pedestrian or bicycle crossing (other than a pedestrian or bicycle crossing where the signal indicated by a traffic light or the alternative signal of an officer prohibits pedestrians and cyclists from crossing at the time the vehicle or streetcar in question is overtaking; the same applies hereinafter in the following paragraph).

③A vehicle or streetcar must not, on a pedestrian or bicycle crossing or on a part of the road within 30 meters before the near-side edge of the pedestrian or bicycle crossing, go past the side of another vehicle or streetcar (other than a specified small motorized bicycle or light road vehicle) that is proceeding ahead of it and pull in front of it, except in a case that falls under Article 30, item (iii).

A vehicle or streetcar must not prevent a pedestrian from proceeding who is crossing the road at an intersection or any place in its immediate vicinity without a pedestrian crossing.

①Notwithstanding Article 17, paragraph (4), an emergency motor vehicle (meaning a fire truck, ambulance, or other motor vehicle that Cabinet Order prescribes which is used for emergency services pursuant to Cabinet Order; the same applies hereinafter) may stray fully or partially onto the right side of a road beyond as prescribed in Article 17, paragraph (5), if it needs to do so in order to pass or if there are other compelling circumstances.

②An emergency motor vehicle is not required to stop even if stopping is required pursuant to laws and regulations. In such a case, the driver of an emergency motor vehicle must drive at reduced speed, paying attention to other traffic.

①When an emergency motor vehicle is approaching an intersection or its vicinity, streetcars must come to a stop and avoid entering the intersection, and vehicles (other than other emergency motor vehicles; the same applies hereinafter in this Article) must avoid the intersection and come to a stop on the left side of the road (or on the right side of the road of a one-way street, if moving towards the left side of the road would prevent the emergency motor vehicle from proceeding; the same applies hereinafter in the following paragraph).

②When an emergency motor vehicle is approaching any place other than what is prescribed in the preceding paragraph, the driver of a vehicle must move the vehicle towards the left side of the road and give way to that emergency motor vehicle.

①Article 8, paragraph (1), Article 17, paragraph (6), Article 18, paragraphs (1) through (3), Article 20, paragraphs (1) and (2), Article 20-2, Article 25, paragraphs (1) and (2), Article 25-2, paragraph (2), Article 26-2, paragraph (3), Article 29, Article 30, Article 34, paragraphs (1), (2), and (4), Article 35, paragraph (1), and the first sentence of Article 38, paragraph (1) and Article 38, paragraph (3) do not apply to emergency motor vehicles.

②Beyond what is prescribed in the preceding paragraph, Article 22 does not apply to an emergency motor vehicle that is bearing down on a vehicle or streetcar violating Article 22.

③Article 18, paragraph (1), Article 20, paragraphs (1) and (2), Article 20-2, and Article 25-2, paragraph (2) do not apply to a motor vehicle engaged exclusively in traffic control that Cabinet Office Order prescribes.

④Article 17, paragraphs (4) and (6), Article 18, paragraph (1), Article 20, paragraphs (1) and (2), Article 20-2, Article 23, and Article 25-2, paragraph (2) do not apply to a motor vehicle designed for road maintenance (meaning a motor vehicle as Cabinet Order prescribes which is used exclusively in works such as the maintenance and repair of roads; the same applies in Article 75-9) when that motor vehicle is being employed in a work such as the maintenance or repair of a road pursuant to Cabinet Order.

①When a fire-services vehicle (meaning a vehicle other than a fire truck, which is used in firefighting and is being driven pursuant to Cabinet Order as a part of fire-fighting services; the same applies hereinafter in this Article and Article 75-22, paragraph (2)) is approaching an intersection or its vicinity, a vehicle or streetcar (excluding, in the case of a vehicle, emergency motor vehicles and fire-services vehicles) must avoid the intersection and come to a temporary stop.

②When a fire-services vehicle is approaching any place other than what is prescribed in the preceding paragraph, the driver of a vehicle (other than an emergency motor vehicle or another fire-services vehicle) must not prevent the fire-services vehicle from proceeding.

③Article 39 applies mutatis mutandis to fire-services vehicles.

④Article 8, paragraph (1), Article 17, paragraph (6), Article 18, Article 20, paragraphs (1) and (2), Article 25, paragraphs (1) and (2), Article 25-2, paragraph (2), Article 26-2, paragraph (3), Article 29, Article 30, Article 34, paragraphs (1) through (5), Article 35, paragraph (1), the first sentence of paragraph (1) and the entirety of paragraph (3) of Article 38, and Article 40, paragraph (1), Article 63-6, and Article 63-7 do not apply to fire-services vehicles.

The driver of a vehicle or streetcar must drive at a reduced speed when traveling on a part of a road where road signs or markings specify that such a vehicle or streetcar must be driven at a reduced speed, as well as in the following cases:

If road signs or markings specify that a vehicle or streetcar must come to a stop at or immediately in front of an uncontrolled intersection, the vehicle or streetcar must come to a stop immediately in front of the stop line indicated by road signs or markings (or immediately in front of the intersection, if a stop line is not indicated by road signs or markings). In such a case, the vehicle or streetcar must not obstruct the progress of a vehicle or streetcar traveling down the intersecting road, except in a case falling under Article 36, paragraph (2).

①The driver of a vehicle must not stop or park on a part of the road where Stopping or parking is prohibited by road signs or markings or on any of the following other parts of the road, except when Stopping temporarily pursuant to a provision of laws and regulations or an order of a police officer, or in order to prevent a hazard:

②The provisions of the preceding paragraph do not apply to the following cases:

①The driver of a vehicle must not park on a part of the road where parking is prohibited by road signs or markings or on a part of the road as set forth below; provided, however, that this does not apply if permission to park there has been granted by the chief of the police station pursuant to public safety commission rules:

②The driver of a vehicle must not park pursuant to Article 47, paragraph (2) or (3) if doing so would fail to leave at least 3.5 meters (or the distance that is specified by road signs or markings, if any) of road to the right side of the vehicle; provided, however, that this does not apply when cargo is being loaded or unloaded if the driver does not leave the vicinity of the vehicle or if the driver leaves the vicinity of the vehicle but will be able to go back to driving immediately, and does not apply if the driver is compelled to park pursuant to those provisions in order to assist an injured or sick person.

③The main clause of the preceding paragraph does not apply in an area that the public safety commission prescribes as an area with infrequent traffic.

①Notwithstanding Article 44, paragraph (1) and paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, a standard motor vehicle that is driven by a person who falls under any of the following items (referred to hereinafter in this paragraph and in the following paragraph as an "elderly or special-needs driver") (but only a standard motor vehicle for which the elderly or special-needs driver has made a filing, pursuant to Cabinet Office Order, with the public safety commission having jurisdiction over that driver's domicile) and that, while stopped or parked, displays in an easily visible location on its front the elderly or special-needs driver mark issued to that elderly or special-needs driver pursuant to the following paragraph (hereinafter referred to as a "motor vehicle bearing an elderly or special-needs driver mark") may stop or park, if road signs or markings indicate that Stopping or parking is permitted in all or part of a part of the road where Stopping and parking are prohibited under Article 44, paragraph (1) or where parking is prohibited under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article:

②At the application of an elderly or special-needs driver, the public safety commission must issue the driver a mark indicating the driver to be an elderly or special-needs driver who drives the standard motor vehicle to which the filing prescribed in the preceding paragraph pertains.

③A person who has been issued an elderly or special-needs driver mark may apply to the public safety commission having jurisdiction over the domicile thereof for its reissuance if the elderly or special-needs driver mark is lost, damaged, or defaced.

④A person who has been issued an elderly or special-needs driver mark must promptly return it to the public safety commission having jurisdiction over the domicile if the person's license for standard motor vehicles is revoked or ceases to be valid, if the circumstances prescribed in paragraph (1), item (iii) cease to be a factor, or if any other event that Cabinet Office Order prescribes occurs.

⑤Beyond what is prescribed in the preceding three paragraphs, Cabinet Office Order provides for the necessary matters in relation to elderly or special-needs driver marks.

In addition to what is prescribed in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, and notwithstanding Article 44, paragraph (1) and Article 45, paragraph (1), the driver of a vehicle may stop or park the vehicle partially within a part of the road where Stopping and parking are prohibited under Article 44, paragraph (1) or where parking is prohibited under Article 45, paragraph (1), if road signs or markings indicate that Stopping or parking is permitted.

①When stopping to load or unload persons or cargo, a driver must bring a vehicle as close as possible to the left edge of the road, and must position the vehicle so as not to obstruct traffic.

②When parking, a driver must bring a vehicle to the left edge of the road, and must position the vehicle so as not to obstruct traffic.

③Notwithstanding the preceding two paragraphs, when stopping or parking in a place with a side strip adjacent to the left edge of the roadway (other than side strips demarcated with road markings indicating that stopping and parking are prohibited there, and other than side strips as prescribed by Cabinet Order), the driver must bring the vehicle into the side strip pursuant to Cabinet Order, and must position the vehicle so as not to obstruct traffic.

Notwithstanding the preceding Article, if road signs or markings specify how to stop or park, the driver of a vehicle must stop or park in that way.

①A public safety commission is to install and manage parking meters (but only ones that function as Cabinet Office Order prescribes; the same applies hereinafter) or devices that function as Cabinet Office Order prescribes for issuing tickets (meaning an emblem in a format that Cabinet Office Order prescribes that indicates the time of issuance and other information that Cabinet Office Order prescribes; the same applies hereinafter) (hereinafter such a device is referred to as a "ticket dispenser") for areas of road that road signs or markings specify to be areas in which vehicles may remain parked during a limited timeframe (hereinafter referred to as a "time-restricted parking zone"), in order to ensure proper parking in those time-restricted parking zones.

②Beyond as prescribed in the preceding paragraph, a public safety commission must take the necessary measures to ensure proper parking in time-restricted parking zones, such as providing information for drivers seeking to park their vehicles in time-restricted parking zones and establishing systems of organization for vehicles being parked in time-restricted parking zones.

③A public safety commission may ask a person that Cabinet Office Order prescribes to handle all or part of the administrative functions involved in the management of the parking meters and ticket dispensers prescribed in paragraph (1), as well as the measures prescribed in the preceding paragraph.

The public safety commission may designate a time-restricted parking zone as an area of road where motor vehicles bearing elderly and special-needs driver marks may remain parked during a limited timeframe. In such a case, the public safety commission must indicate that designation on road signs or markings as prescribed in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article.

①Notwithstanding Articles 44 through 48, the parking of vehicles in time-restricted parking zones (excluding the parking of the bus or trolleybus, or of the motor vehicle used for the transport of passengers, in the cases set forth in the items of Article 44, paragraph (2); the same applies in the following Article) is subject to what is prescribed in this Article through Article 49-5.

②A vehicle (but only a motor vehicle bearing an elderly or special-needs driver mark, if it is on an area of road designated pursuant to the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to in the following Article as a "time-restricted parking zone for elderly and special-needs drivers"); the same applies hereinafter in this Article, Article 49-6, and Article 119-3, paragraph (1), item (ii)) must not remain parked in a time-restricted parking zone beyond the timeframe specified by road signs or markings, as counted from the time that a parking meter as referred to in Article 49, paragraph (1) detects the vehicle or from the time that a ticket is issued by a ticket dispenser as referred to in that paragraph.

③The driver of a vehicle must not park in a time-restricted parking zone other than on a part of the road and in the way specified by road signs or markings.

④Having parked in a time-restricted parking zone, the driver of a vehicle, pursuant to Cabinet Order, must immediately activate a parking meter as set forth in Article 49, paragraph (1); or must immediately have a ticket dispenser as prescribed in that paragraph issue a ticket, and must display that ticket in an easily visible place at the front of the vehicle while it is parked (but only during the period of time from the issuance of the ticket until the expiration of the timeframe indicated by road signs or markings).

The driver of a vehicle other than a motor vehicle bearing an elderly or special-needs driver mark must not park in a time-restricted parking zone for elderly and special-needs drivers.

If the chief of a police station specifies a place, manner, start time, and end time for parking and grants permission, pursuant to public safety commission rules, for a vehicle to be parked in a time-restricted parking zone, the preceding two Articles (other than Article 49-3, paragraph (1)) do not apply to the vehicle subject to that permission and to the driver of that vehicle, so long as the driver parks the vehicle in the specified place and manner between that start time and end time. In such a case, the vehicle must not remain parked there beyond the specified end time.

Notwithstanding Article 44, paragraph (1), a vehicle may stop in a part of the road set forth in the items of that paragraph that is within a time-restricted parking zone designated by road signs or markings under Article 49-3, paragraph (3) as a part of the road where a vehicle may park.

①If an on-street parking spot as prescribed in Article 2, item (i) of the Act (hereinafter referred to in this Article and Article 110-2 as an "on-street parking spot") is created in a time-restricted parking zone pursuant to Article 5, paragraph (1) of the Parking Spaces Act (Act No. 106 of 1957), Article 49 does not apply to the part of the road containing that on-street parking spot.

②Any parking meters or ticket dispensers that are installed by an on-street parking administrator as prescribed in Article 6, paragraph (1) of the Parking Spaces Act for a part of the road where on-street parking spots have been created in a time-restricted parking zone are deemed to be parking meters or ticket dispensers as prescribed in Article 49, paragraph (1), and are subject to Article 49-3.

③Articles 49-3 through 49-5 do not apply to any part of a road where on-street parking spots have been created in a time-restricted parking zone for which no parking meter or ticket dispenser has been installed.

①A vehicle or streetcar must not enter a controlled intersection (or any part of a road beyond a stop line indicated by road signs or markings at a controlled intersection; the same applies hereinafter in this paragraph) if, because of the positioning of vehicles and streetcars further ahead on the intended course, it would likely end up stopping inside the intersection and thereby obstructing other vehicles or streetcars from proceeding down an intersecting road.

②A vehicle or streetcar must not enter a pedestrian crossing, bicycle crossing lane, railroad crossing, or part of the road demarcated with road markings if, because of the positioning of vehicles and streetcars further ahead on the intended course, it would likely end up stopping in that part of the road.

If a vehicle (other than a trolleybus; the same applies hereinafter in this Article, the following Article, and Article 51-4) is found to be stopped in violation of Article 44, paragraph (1), Article 47, paragraph (1) or (3), or Article 48, an officer may order the driver of the vehicle to change the way the vehicle is stopped or to move the vehicle from a place where Stopping is prohibited.

①If a vehicle is found to be parked in violation of Article 44, paragraph (1), Article 45, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 47, paragraph (2) or (3), Article 48, Article 49-3, paragraph (2) or (3), Article 49-4, or the second sentence of Article 49-5, or if a vehicle is parked in a time-restricted parking zone where a ticket dispenser as referred to in Article 49, paragraph (1) has been installed, no ticket issued by that ticket dispenser is displayed on the vehicle, and it is found to violate Article 49-3, paragraph (4) (collectively referred to as "found to have been parked illegally" in Article 51-4, paragraph (1) and Article 75-22, paragraph (3)), an officer may order the driver of the vehicle or another person responsible for the management of the vehicle (hereinafter referred to in this Article as a "driver, etc.") to change how the vehicle is parked or to move the vehicle from the place where that parking is prohibited, or to move the vehicle from the place in the time-restricted parking zone where it is parked.

②If it is found to be difficult for a driver or other responsible person to immediately comply with an order under the preceding paragraph due to a vehicle malfunction or other such circumstance, the officer may change how the vehicle is parked or move the vehicle, but only so far as is necessary to prevent road hazards and otherwise ensure the safety and fluidity of traffic.

③If unable to issue an order pursuant to paragraph (1) in a case as referred to in that paragraph (1) because the driver or other responsible person is not at the scene, the officer may change how a vehicle is parked or take other necessary measures, or may move a vehicle to another place on the road within 50 meters of the place where it is parked, but only so far as is necessary to prevent road traffic hazards or ensure that traffic runs smoothly.

④If an officer wishes to move a vehicle pursuant to the preceding paragraph but there is no place on the road to which it can be moved that is within 50 meters of where it is parked, the officer must report this to the chief of the police station having jurisdiction over the place where the vehicle is parked.

⑤Upon receiving a report as referred to in the preceding paragraph, the chief of the police station may move a vehicle to a parking spot, open space, place on a road other than as prescribed in paragraph (3), or other such place.

⑥After moving a vehicle pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the chief of the police station must store the vehicle as its custodian. In such a case, the chief of the police station must take the necessary measures to prevent theft and other accidents from befalling the vehicle, such as indicating the chief of the police station to be storing the vehicle or attaching a wheel-lock device to the vehicle, depending on the layout of the place where the vehicle is being kept, how the vehicle is being managed, and other considerations.

⑦After taking a vehicle into storage pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the chief of the police station must notify the user of the vehicle of the date on which it was taken into storage and the place where the vehicle is being stored, as well as indicating that the user must promptly collect the vehicle.

⑧If the chief of a police station cannot ascertain the name and address of the user of a vehicle or if it is found to be difficult to return a vehicle to the user in a case as referred to in the preceding paragraph, the chief must notify the owner of the vehicle as prescribed in that paragraph.

⑨If the chief of a police station cannot ascertain the name and address of the owner of a vehicle in a case as referred to in the preceding paragraph, the chief must issue public notice giving the place where the vehicle is being stored and any other information that Cabinet Order prescribes, pursuant to Cabinet Order.

⑩After issuing public notice under the preceding paragraph, the chief of the police station must publicly announce the date and details of the public notice via the Internet and through other means, pursuant to Cabinet Office Order.

⑪Beyond what is prescribed in paragraphs (7) through (10), Cabinet Order provides for the necessary particulars concerning the return of a vehicle that the chief of a police station has taken into storage pursuant to paragraph (6).

⑫If a vehicle that the chief of a police station has taken into storage pursuant to paragraph (6) remains unreturned one month after the date of a notification as under paragraph (8) or public notice as under paragraph (9), and the cost required to store the vehicle is unreasonable compared to the value of the vehicle as appraised pursuant to Cabinet Order, the chief of the police station may sell the vehicle and store the proceeds of the sale as the custodian thereof, pursuant to Cabinet Order.

⑬If there is no purchaser for a vehicle in a sale as under the preceding paragraph and the value of the vehicle as prescribed in that paragraph is extremely low, the chief of the police station may dispose of it.

⑭The proceeds of a sale undertaken pursuant to paragraph (12) may be allocated to cover the expenses required to conduct that sale.

⑮The expenses required for measures under paragraph (2) or (3) or paragraphs (5) through (11), including moving a vehicle, storing a vehicle, public notice, and other such measures, are borne by the driver, etc. or the user or owner of the vehicle (hereinafter referred to in this Article and the following Article as the "user, etc.").

⑯The chief of the police station must set the amount, due date, and place for payment of the charges payable by the driver or other responsible person or by the user or owner pursuant to the preceding paragraph, and must issue a written order to that person to pay them. In such a case, if the amount of expenses provided for in that paragraph is specified by prefectural regulations in consideration of actual costs, the amount payable is the amount prescribed therein.

⑰If a person ordered to make a payment pursuant to the preceding paragraph fails to do so before the due date, the chief of the police station must issue a written demand that fixes the due date for payment. In such a case, the chief of the police station may collect a fine for delinquency of up to the amount calculated as representing 14.5 percent per annum of the charges payable, and may collect a fee for the necessary costs of issuing the demand.

⑱If a person subject to a demand under the preceding paragraph fails to pay the charges, fines for delinquency, or fees referred to in the second sentence of that paragraph (hereinafter referred to in this Article as "charges, fines, or fees") by the fixed due date, the chief of the police station may collect the charges, fines, or fees based on the rules governing measures to collect local tax arrears. In such a case, charges, fines, or fees follow national taxes and local taxes in order of priority as concerns statutory liens.

⑲Charges, fines, and fees paid and collected are the revenue of the prefecture where the police station is located.

⑳If a vehicle stored pursuant to paragraph (6) (or the proceeds of a sale under paragraph (12); the same applies hereinafter in this paragraph) remains unreturned three months after the date of a notification as under paragraph (8) or public notice as under paragraph (9), ownership of the vehicle vests in the prefecture where the police station is located.

（二十一）When a vehicle (limited to a motor vehicle registered under the Road Transport Vehicle Act; the same applies hereinafter in this paragraph) has been sold pursuant to paragraph (12), a vehicle has been disposed of pursuant to paragraph (13), or ownership of a vehicle has vested in the prefecture pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the chief of the police station must, pursuant to Cabinet Order, commission the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or a person delegated pursuant to Article 105, paragraph (1) or (2) of that Act to effect the registration under that Act relating to those dispositions, etc. of the vehicle.

（二十二）The provisions of paragraphs (6), (7), and (9) through (20) apply mutatis mutandis to any load in a vehicle that has been taken into storage pursuant to paragraph (6). In such a case, the phrase "the user of the vehicle" in paragraph (7) is deemed to be replaced with "the owner, possessor, or other person with title to the load (hereinafter referred to in this Article as the 'owner or other such person')"; the phrase "the preceding paragraph" in paragraph (9) is deemed to be replaced with "paragraph (7) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (22)", and the phrase "cannot ascertain the name and address of the owner of a vehicle" in that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "cannot ascertain the name and address of the owner of a vehicle, and it is found to be difficult to return the load to a person other than its owner"; the phrase "paragraphs (7) through (10)" in paragraph (11) is deemed to be replaced with "paragraph (7) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (22) and the preceding two paragraphs"; the phrase "remains unreturned one month after the date of a notification as under paragraph (8) or" in paragraph (12) is deemed to be replaced with "is likely to spoil or deteriorate, or remains unreturned one month after the date of a notification to the owner of the load as under paragraph (7) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (22) or", and the term "cost" in that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "cost or effort"; the phrase "under paragraph (2) or (3) or paragraphs (5) through (11), including moving a vehicle," in paragraph (15) is deemed to be replaced with "under paragraph (6) or (7) or paragraphs (9) through (11) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (22), including", and the phrase "the driver, etc. or the user or owner of the vehicle (hereinafter referred to in this Article and the following Article as the 'user, etc.')" in that paragraph is deemed to be replaced with "the owner or other such person"; the phrase "the driver, etc. or the user, etc." in paragraph (16) is deemed to be replaced with "the owner or other such person"; and the phrase "a notification as under paragraph (8)" in paragraph (20) is deemed to be replaced with "a notification to the owner of the load as under paragraph (7) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (22)".

①When the chief of a police station finds it necessary for the enforcement of the preceding Article, the chief may request the user, etc. of a vehicle stored pursuant to paragraph (6) of that Article or other relevant persons, or the owner, possessor, or other person with title to a load stored pursuant to paragraph (6) of that Article as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (22) of that Article or other relevant persons, to make the necessary reports or submit the necessary materials concerning that vehicle or load.

②When the chief of a police station finds it necessary for the enforcement of the preceding Article, the chief may make inquiries to, or ask for cooperation from, government agencies, public bodies, and other persons.

①The chief of a police station may ask a corporation that Cabinet Office Order prescribes to handle all or part of the administrative functions involved in moving and storing vehicles (including their loads; the same applies hereinafter in this paragraph) pursuant to Article 51, paragraphs (5) and (6) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (22) of that Article) (such functions exclude the decision to move, return, sell, or dispose of a vehicle, the issuance of orders under paragraph (16) of that Article, measures to collect arrears, and other functions that Cabinet Order prescribes).

②It is prohibited for the current or former officer or employee of a corporation that has been asked to handle administrative processes by the chief of the police station pursuant to the preceding paragraph to divulge confidential information learned in connection with those processes.

①The chief of a police station may have an officer check whether there is any vehicle in a case found to have been parked illegally (in the case of a light road vehicle, limited to one that has a structure and equipment that allows it to be towed and has a gross vehicle weight (meaning the gross vehicle weight prescribed in Article 40, item (iii) of the Road Transport Vehicle Act) exceeding 750 kilograms (hereinafter referred to as a "heavy towable vehicle"); the same applies hereinafter in this Article) the driver of which has left it and cannot drive it immediately (hereinafter referred to as an "abandoned vehicle"), and have the officer attach to the vehicle, in an easily visible place and pursuant to Cabinet Office Order, a mark giving notice that the officer has made that check and that, if the person who committed the Illegal Parking concerning that vehicle (meaning the act of the driver of a vehicle in a case found to have been parked illegally; the same applies in paragraphs (4) and (16)) does not fall under the case prescribed in the proviso to paragraph (4), the user of that vehicle may be ordered to pay an abandonment penalty pursuant to the main clause of that paragraph.

②It is prohibited for any person to damage or deface a mark attached to a vehicle pursuant to the preceding paragraph or to remove the same; provided, however, that this does not apply to the removal of such a mark by the user or driver of the vehicle or any other person responsible for the management of that vehicle.

③Having caused a mark to be attached to a vehicle pursuant to paragraph (1), the chief of the police station must report how the vehicle is parked to the public safety commission.

④Upon receiving a report under the preceding paragraph, if the public safety commission finds that the vehicle to which the report pertains is an abandoned vehicle, it may order the user of the vehicle to pay an abandonment penalty; provided, however, that this does not apply if the person that has illegally parked the vehicle pays a penalty pursuant to Article 128, paragraph (1) within 30 days, counting from the day following that on which a mark is attached to the vehicle pursuant to paragraph (1), nor does it apply if a case that is connected with that instance of illegal parking becomes subject to prosecution or is brought before the family court for trial.

⑤An order under the main clause of the preceding paragraph (hereinafter referred to as a "payment order") is to be issued in writing through a document that gives the amount, due date, and place for payment of the abandonment penalty.

⑥Prior to issuing a payment order, the public safety commission must notify the user of the vehicle of the following information in writing and give the user an opportunity to submit a written explanation of the matter at issue (hereinafter referred to in this paragraph and paragraph (9) as an "explanatory statement") and evidence in the user's favor within a reasonable timeframe:

⑦If the whereabouts of the person who should receive a payment order are unknown, the public safety commission may give the notice under the preceding paragraph by taking measures to place the person's name, the matters set forth in item (ii) of that paragraph, and the fact that the public safety commission will deliver to the person at any time a document stating the matters set forth in the items of that paragraph (hereinafter referred to in this paragraph as the "particulars of the public notice") in a state in which they can be viewed by an unspecified number of persons by the method that Cabinet Office Order prescribes and, at the same time, to post a document stating the particulars of the public notice on the notice board of the public safety commission, or to place in a state in which it can be viewed what displays the particulars of the public notice on the display screen of a computer installed in the office building of the public safety commission. In such a case, the notice is deemed to have reached the person when two weeks have passed from the day on which those measures were begun.

⑧Cabinet Order provides for the amount of abandonment penalties within the scope of the amount prescribed in Schedule I.

⑨A person notified as under paragraph (6) may make a provisional payment in an amount equivalent to the abandonment penalty by the due date for submission of the explanatory statement, pursuant to Cabinet Order.

⑩A payment order may be issued by public notice against a person making a provisional payment under the preceding paragraph, pursuant to Cabinet Order.

⑪If a payment order is issued in connection with a notice referred to in paragraph (9) against a person that has made a provisional payment as under that paragraph (9), the provisional payment in the amount equivalent to the relevant abandonment penalty is deemed to constitute the payment of the abandonment penalty as under that payment order.

⑫If the public safety commission decides not to issue a payment order in connection with a notice referred to in paragraph (9) against a person that has made a provisional payment as under that paragraph, it must promptly notify that person in writing, giving a clear indication of the reasons for this and returning the provisional payment.

⑬If a person issued a payment order fails to pay the abandonment penalty by its due date, the public safety commission must issue a written demand that fixes the due date for payment. In such a case, the public safety commission may collect a fine for delinquency of up to the amount calculated as representing 14.5 percent per annum of the abandonment penalty, and may collect a fee for the necessary costs of issuing the demand.

⑭If a person subject to a demand under the preceding paragraph fails to pay the abandonment penalty, fines for delinquency, or fees referred to in the second sentence of that paragraph (hereinafter referred to in this Article and Article 51-7 as an "abandonment penalty, fines, or fees") by the fixed due date, the public safety commission may collect the abandonment penalty, fines, or fees based on the rules governing measures to collect local tax arrears. In such a case, the abandonment penalty, fines, or fees follow national taxes and local taxes in order of priority as concerns statutory liens.

⑮Abandonment penalties, fines, and fees paid and collected are the revenue of the prefecture where the public safety commission is located.

⑯The public safety commission must revoke a payment order it has issued if the person illegally parking a vehicle and thereby giving grounds for the payment order pays a penalty for having parked illegally as under Article 128, paragraph (1), or if the case involving that instance of illegal parking becomes subject to prosecution or is brought before the family court for trial.

⑰Having revoked a payment order pursuant to the preceding paragraph, a public safety commission must promptly notify the person subject to it of this, clearly indicating the reason for the revocation. In such a case, if the abandonment penalty, fines, or fees to which the payment order pertained have been paid or collected, the public safety commission must refund an equivalent amount.

⑱Service of documents and service by publication in connection with the collection and refunding of the abandonment penalty, fines, or fees are governed by the rules governing local taxes.

①On finding it to be necessary to do so to enforce the preceding Article, a public safety commission may request the user, the owner, or a person otherwise affiliated with a vehicle on which a mark has been attached pursuant to paragraph (1) of that Article to report as necessary or submit the necessary materials in connection with the use of the vehicle.

②On finding it to be necessary to do so to enforce the preceding Article, a public safety commission may make inquires with or ask for cooperation from government agencies, public bodies, and other persons.

①Having issued a payment order, made a demand pursuant to Article 51-4, paragraph (13) or revoked a payment order pursuant to paragraph (16) of that Article or when any other reason that Cabinet Office Order prescribes has been found to exist with respect to the user of a vehicle that has been the cause of a payment order, a public safety commission must report this, the name and address of the user, the plate number of the vehicle, and the information that Cabinet Office Order prescribes to the National Public Safety Commission. In such a case, the National Public Safety Commission must report the information given in the report to each public safety commission in order to ensure the appropriateness of measures for abandoned vehicles.

②When the National Public Safety Commission receives a report that a demand has been issued pursuant to the first sentence of the preceding paragraph, it must notify the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or other relevant authority (meaning the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; or the Director of the District Transportation Bureau, the Director of the Transportation Administration Department, or the Transportation Bureau Chief to whom the authority of the Minister has been delegated; or the Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Organization (meaning the Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Organization established pursuant to Chapter V-2 of the Road Transport Vehicle Act); the same applies in the following Article and Article 75-13, paragraph (2), item (i)) of the information given in the report (but only the information that Cabinet Office Order prescribes). The same applies if the National Public Safety Commission receives a report that a payment order for which a demand has been issued has been revoked.

①If a person seeking the return of a motor vehicle inspection certificate (meaning the return of a motor vehicle inspection certificate pursuant to Article 62, paragraph (2) of the Act on Vehicles for Road Transportation (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 67, paragraph (4) of that Act) or Article 22-2, paragraph (3) of the Comprehensive Special Zones Act (Act No. 81 of 2011); the same applies hereinafter in this Article) has become subject to a demand under Article 51-4, paragraph (13) (but only one connected with a payment order (other than one that has been revoked pursuant to paragraph (16) of that Article) of which the motor vehicle in question was the cause) after a motor vehicle inspection certificate was last issued as under Article 60, paragraph (1) or Article 71, paragraph (4) of that Act or after a motor vehicle inspection certificate was last returned for that vehicle (meaning a motor vehicle as prescribed in Article 58, paragraph (1) of the Act on Vehicles for Road Transportation), the person must present a document to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or other relevant authority evidencing that the abandonment penalty, fines, or fees subject to the demand have been paid or collected.

②If a person (but only one notified as referred to in the first sentence of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article) that the preceding paragraph requires to present the document prescribed in that paragraph fails to do so, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism or other relevant authority must not return the motor vehicle inspection certificate.

①The chief of the police station may ask a corporation registered by the public safety commission to handle all or part of the administrative processes involved in checking for abandoned vehicles, confirming that vehicles have been abandoned, and attaching marks to them as prescribed in Article 51-4, paragraph (1) (hereinafter these actions are referred to as "checking for, confirming, and marking abandoned vehicles") (hereinafter these administrative processes are referred to as "checking and confirmation processes").