Japan's Unique Hospital Signage: A Guide

Japan's road signs are standardised and divided into two types: Principal Signs and Supplemental Signs. The country's road marking system is similar to that of other countries, with signs indicating speed limits, road closures, parking restrictions, and more. However, some signs in Japan may be unfamiliar to foreigners, such as the no non-motorised vehicles (except bicycles) sign. Japan's road signs are written in Japanese, with some also including English text. The country's road rules are similar to those found internationally, with traffic lights following the same colour sequence as in the US and UK.

Japan's road signs are standardised and divided into two types: Principal Sign and Supplemental Sign

Japan's road signs are standardised and fall under two categories: Principal Signs and Supplemental Signs. The "Order on Road Sign, Road Line, and Road Surface Marking" established this standard in 1968, with origins in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's 1934 order and the Home Ministry of Japan's 1942 order. The current designs have been in use since 1986, following several amendments.

Principal Signs, or "hon-hyōshiki" in Japanese, are further divided into four types: guide, warning, regulatory, and instruction signs. Guide signs indicate directions and distances, with dark green backgrounds and white text for expressways, and dark blue backgrounds in urban areas and national highways. These signs are typically bilingual, featuring Japanese and English text. Warning signs, resembling the American MUTCD design, alert drivers to potential dangers and situations requiring attention. Regulatory signs inform drivers of road regulations to maintain safety and orderly traffic flow. Instruction signs encompass signs like 'Stop' and 'Slow Down', which are triangular and feature a white background with a thick red border.

Supplemental Signs, or "hojo-hyōshiki", are placed below the principal signs to provide additional information such as distances, times, and vehicle categories. These signs are usually narrow and rectangular, with white backgrounds and thin black borders. The sentences on these signs are typically short, with less than seven characters per line or no more than three lines total.

It's worth noting that Japanese road signs can be confusing to those unfamiliar with the language. The signage system has evolved over time, with early versions resembling European practices but now incorporating unique Japanese elements. Driving in Japan also comes with specific rules, such as the strict prohibition of drinking and driving, and unique traffic light sequences that may surprise drivers from other countries.

Warning signs are yellow diamonds with black patterns and borders, based on the US MUTCD

Japan's road signs are standardised under the "Order on Road Sign, Road Line, and Road Surface Marking" established in 1968. The current standardisation has its origins in 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 first standardised road signage schemes appeared in 1922, with two types of signs: "road warning signs" and "road guide signs".

Warning signs in Japan are yellow diamonds with black patterns and borders, based on the US MUTCD (United States Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices). These warning signs were introduced in 1950, replacing the previous European red-bordered triangular design. The yellow diamond design is a result of Japan's status as a Major Non-NATO Ally of the US. The yellow warning signs usually have sides of 45 cm in length.

Regulatory signs, on the other hand, indicate the rules of the road and are designed to maintain road conditions and prevent dangers. These signs are round with white backgrounds, red borders, and blue pictograms. Prohibition signs fall under this category and are used to indicate actions that are not allowed, such as no overtaking. In Japan, the no overtaking sign is a pictogram with two curved arrows crossed by a red diagonal line.

Guide signs provide directional or distance information and are typically found in urban areas and on national highways. They feature dark blue backgrounds with white text. Since 2014, English translations on these signs have used the Vialog typeface.

Japan's road signage has evolved over time, with revisions made to conform to international standards, such as the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals. Some unique aspects of Japanese road signs include the use of inverted triangles for "slow down" and "stop" signs, and the strict prohibition of turning left on a red light, even when there is no oncoming traffic.

Regulatory signs show rules to keep roads safe and prevent dangers

Japan's road signs are standardised by the "Order on Road Sign, Road Line, and Road Surface Marking", which was established in 1968. These signs are divided into "Principal Sign" and "Supplemental Sign". The former is further categorised into four types: guide, warning, regulatory, and instruction signs. Regulatory signs are essential in establishing rules and regulations that all road users must follow to maintain safety and order on the roads. They are characterised by their yellow background and black symbols or text and are often diamond-shaped. These signs are crucial in regulating traffic by giving directions that must be obeyed, reinforcing traffic laws, and providing essential speed limit information.

In Japan, regulatory signs include the red, downward-pointing triangle "Stop" sign, which has the text "止まれ" ("tomare") and "Stop" in English. This sign indicates that drivers must come to a complete stop and yield to oncoming traffic. Another example is the "No Overtaking" sign, which in the US is written as "Do Not Pass", but in Japan is depicted with two curved arrows crossed by a red diagonal line. If the word "追い越し禁止" is included, overtaking on the right is strictly prohibited.

Regulatory signs also include speed limit signs, which are essential for maintaining a balance between efficient mobility and accident prevention. In Japan, the speed limit for ordinary roads is 60 km/h, but this can vary depending on the area, with speed limits of 40-50 km/h in towns and 20-30 km/h on inner streets. Additionally, Japan's "Slow Down" sign, an inverted triangle, can be easily mistaken for the "Yield" sign in the US. However, in Japan, drivers must slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary, whereas in the US, drivers may proceed without stopping if it is safe.

Other regulatory signs in Japan include the "No Large Trucks" sign, prohibiting trucks from certain roads, and the "No Bicycles" sign. There are also signs indicating pedestrian crossings, such as the "Yield to Pedestrians" sign and the "School Sign", which warns of a school or pedestrian crosswalk ahead. To prevent accidents and ensure the safety of all road users, truck route marker signs guide commercial truck traffic away from roads with weight or size restrictions. These signs are essential in navigating commercial trucks to suitable routes.

Instruction signs are blue with white borders and alert drivers about priority roads, parking zones, etc

Japan's road signage system has gone through several changes since the 1920s, when the first standardised road signage schemes were introduced. The current system is based on the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals.

Instruction signs are a small category of road signs in Japan. They are blue with thin white borders and white instructions or pictograms. These signs are generally square and alert drivers about priority roads, parking zones, crosswalks, bike crossings, and tram stops. For example, a rectangular blue sign with a white arrow pointing left indicates that a left turn is permitted, regardless of the traffic light signal.

Direction signs in urban areas and on national highways also feature a dark blue background. These signs are usually written in Japanese and English and provide information such as road names, distances, and directions.

Supplemental signs, which provide additional information such as distances, times, and vehicle categories, are typically placed below the main sign. They are rectangular and often blue with white text.

Other common road signs in Japan include speed limit signs, which are found all over towns and cities. The default speed limit on national highways is 100 km/h, while other roads are typically 50 km/h. Expressway speed limits are usually 90 km/h or 80 km/h, and these restrictions may be lowered during adverse weather conditions.

Japan also uses warning signs, which feature a black pattern and border on a yellow diamond, based on the U.S. MUTCD specifications. Regulatory signs, on the other hand, show the regulations for each road to maintain safety and prevent dangers. For example, a red triangle with "止まれ" and "stop" in English indicates that drivers must stop.

Guide signs provide information such as road names, directions, distances, and road numbers

Guide signs are an essential component of transportation infrastructure, providing crucial information to drivers to ensure safe and efficient travel. They are typically rectangular and offer guidance information, with dark green backgrounds and white text for expressways, blue indicating road user services, tourist information, and evacuation routes, and brown guiding to sites of public recreation or cultural interest.

In Japan, road signs are standardized by the "Order on Road Sign, Road Line, and Road Surface Marking" established in 1968, with origins in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's order of 1934 and the Home Ministry of Japan's order of 1942. The current designs have been used since 1986, after several amendments. Japanese road signs are divided into Principal Sign and Supplemental Sign. The first standardised road signage schemes appeared in 1922, with "road warning signs" equivalent to warning signs and "road guide signs" as information signs.

Guide signs in Japan provide information such as road names, directions, distances, and road numbers, aiding in navigation and route guidance. They are strategically placed at decision points along highways and roads to indicate exits, distances, and directions to various destinations. These signs are crucial for drivers to make informed decisions while driving, reducing confusion and improving traffic flow.

In urban areas and on national highways, direction signs have dark blue backgrounds and are written in Japanese and English. The specific shapes of guide signs help drivers quickly identify their purpose, even before they can read the text or symbols. For example, school zones are marked with pentagon-shaped signs, while horizontal rectangles are commonly used for guide signs, providing directions and information.

Guide signs in Japan may also include route markers positioned at regular intervals by the roadside to help drivers identify their location, with arrows pointing towards the indicated route. Mileposts on major highways help drivers establish the distance they have travelled, usually posted every mile from the beginning of the highway. These signs are an essential part of a larger traffic control system that includes road signs, signals, and maps to facilitate safe travel.

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