FAQ Archives - Page 11 of 13 - Ohara & Furukawa

February 24, 2016

What is the legal limit for drunk driving in Japan?

The laws on drinking and driving in Japan were recently strengthened, increasing the punishment depending on the amount of alcohol the driver has consumed. If the driver has consumed enough alcohol to impair normal driving ability, he or she may be punished with confiscation of the driver’s license and imprisonment of up to 5 years or a fine of up to 1,000,000 yen. Breath alcohol content of a lower level will also result in revoking the driver’s license and imprisonment of up to 3 years or a fine of up to 500,000 yen. Japanese law also has a lower standard […]

February 24, 2016

Why do some foreign nationals not have to take the Japanese driving test to get a license?

Passing the Japanese driving test can be difficult, especially for foreign nationals not confident in their Japanese ability. However, some lucky foreign nationals will never have to take the Japanese driving test as long as they have a driver’s license from their home country.

February 24, 2016

Can someone knocked over and injured by a bicyclist sue for negligence?

Like most legal systems around the world, the Japanese civil code imposes a duty of reasonable behavior on its citizens. Therefore, anyone who intentionally or negligently infringes the rights of others must compensate the injured party for their damage. This wide-ranging law covers a variety of situations and it is the main law used to enforce liability in traffic accidents and bicycle accidents.

February 24, 2016

Is it possible to claim lost salary from someone who negligently injures you in Japan?

When calculating the damages arising from negligence, Japanese law can take into consideration damages beyond simple property damage or medical expenses. Depending on the case, these extra damages can include damages that were not directly caused by the accident but nevertheless are a result of it. For example, loss of salary due to inability to work from injuries associated with the accident can be a major component of a damages award in some cases. The damages associated with loss of income are relatively easy to prove as each missed paycheck can easily be compensated by the defendant.