Set 2

New International and Japanese Road Signs Used in Japan

Text taken from "Traffic Signs of Japan" (5 AFP 127-1), reprinted 20 Dec 91, by the Department of the Air Force.

1. NO PARKING WITH-IN 6M OF THE SIGN IN BOTH DIRECTIONS: In this case, the round sign is a No Parking sign. The white, rectangular, auxiliary sign below it indicates the 6M limit. There is a discrepancy between the form which I got this image from, which indicates that there is no parking within 6 meters of the sign in both directions, and the AFP booklet, which indicates that there is no parking "unless there is a clearance of 6 meters to the right of the vehicle when it is parked. This might allow a small vehicle to park in this area and prohibit an American car from parking because of its added width." In either case, the 6M limit is indicated on the right side of the rectangular white sign.
   The "8-20" in the red area at the top of the round sign, indicates specific unauthorized periods of time. The period in the illustration is 0800 to 2000 hours, that is, no parking is allowed from 0800 to 2000 hours.
2. PARKING LIMITED TO 60 MINUTES ONLY: This illustration indicates that no parking is allowed for more than 60 minutes. A similar restriction would be indicated by a rectangular auxiliary sign beneath, with a 1 (for 1 hour) shown on the left side of the sign. The "8-20" at the top again indicates the time period for the restriction.
3. MAIN ROAD HAS RIGHT OF WAY: The triangular sign is a stop sign. The white, rectangular, auxiliary sign beneath it indicates that the main road has the right of way. Right of ways in Japan are determined by; vehicles traveling on priority roads and highways, vehicles on the left, and vehicles traveling straight through.
4. ROAD CLOSED FOR LARGE SIZED TRUCKS AND SPECIAL DUTY VEHICLES: This sign prohibits the travel of all trucks with a gross weight of more than 8 tons, or with a total length of 8 meters (26.2 feet) or more. The sign does not prohibit buses from traveling on the street or road protected by the sign.
5. ROAD CLOSED FOR MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT MOTORCYCLES: This sign prohibits the movement of all 3 and 4-wheeled vehicles on the street protected by the sign. Two wheeled vehicles may move past the sign without violation.
6. MOTOR VEHICLES PROHIBITED TO ENTER: This sign is posted at the exit of a one-way road to indicate no vehicle may enter. May be accompanied by directional control signs and/or roadway markings.
7. ROAD CLOSED FOR MOTOR VEHICLES: Road closed to all type motor vehicles and powered cycles.
8. ROAD CLOSED FOR BICYCLES: This sign prohibits the travel of bicycle only. The movement of all other vehicles is not restricted by the sign.
9. ROAD CLOSED FOR LIGHT VEHICLES EXCEPT BICYCLES: This sign prohibits carts and horse or ox-drawn vehicles from traveling on the street or road protected by the sign. All powered vehicles and bicycles may travel at will without violation.
10. RIGHT & LEFT TURNS ONLY
11. THROUGH TRAFFIC ONLY
    
12. LEFT TURN ONLY:
    No travel except on designated direction. These blue and white signs are self-explanatory; the main thing to remember is you can only go in the direction the arrow is pointing.

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