Japanese municipalities are warning residents that installing step-eliminating plates or ramps on public roads is illegal under the country's Road Act [1].
These installations often create hazards for the public. Officials said that objects placed on the roadway can obstruct traffic flow, increase the risk of falls and collisions for pedestrians and cyclists, and impede essential drainage systems [1, 2].
Cities including Funabashi and Kyoto, along with Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward, have issued calls for the immediate removal of these unauthorized structures [1, 4]. Funabashi City officials said, "Do not place things on the road! Placing things such as mounting blocks on the road indiscriminately is prohibited by law" [1].
Legal experts warn that the consequences for ignoring these regulations can be severe. Attorney Takashi Saida said that if a structure is evaluated as likely to hinder the structure or traffic of the road, the legal penalty can be up to one year of imprisonment or a fine of up to ¥500,000 [1].
The risk extends beyond administrative fines to civil and criminal liability in the event of an injury. In one case involving a fatal accident, an installer was ordered to pay a fine of ¥50,000 [1].
Kyoto City has used its official website to urge the public to comply, saying, "We ask all installers to remove them promptly" [1]. The crackdown on these plates follows reports from 2024 highlighting the nationwide issue of unauthorized road modifications [1].
“Placing things such as mounting blocks on the road indiscriminately is prohibited by law”
This enforcement reflects a tension between individual accessibility needs and public safety standards. While residents may install ramps to improve home access, the Japanese government prioritizes the integrity of public infrastructure and the prevention of urban flooding and traffic accidents over unauthorized private modifications.
