Having harmony with others is very important in Japanese society. So, people rarely make a racket in public. However, Japan is also a conflict-averse nation. This aspect has led to an ironic problem in that when someone makes noise, others hesitate to confront them because it creates conflict. Thus, certain people who make a lot of noise are tolerated despite Japan’s strict laws.
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One type of noise that everyone in Japan has experienced at some point is from politicians. Around election times, politicians will either stand at major intersections with a megaphone to give their speeches, or they will slowly drive around neighborhoods with megaphones attached to the automobile’s roof and give their speeches from the inside. They often give such speeches when there is the most foot traffic, such as rush hour. It is obvious that no one wants to hear a political speech blasted into their ears at illegal levels on their way to or from work, so no one stops to listen to them. It seems meaningless, but it is a custom for politicians to do, unfortunately.
Another type of noise nearly everyone has encountered is from bosozoku (motorcycle gangs). Especially on weekend nights, they disturb entire neighborhoods by repeatedly putting their bikes into neutral and revving their engines. Although their numbers have dwindled significantly since their peak in the 1980s, no matter what city you live in, you will probably hear them at some point.
Unfortunately, noise is even prevalent in seemingly quiet residential areas. Recycle businesses slowly drive trucks there with megaphones on their roofs. An advertisement is played on a loop that asks if you have any large items to throw away, such as televisions, since throwing away such items costs money. This can be convenient, but getting that one customer who wants to throw away something requires constant noise pollution for the entire neighborhood. Putting a flier in people’s mailboxes and letting them call when they want something taken away would be more efficient. In fact, some recycling businesses do this. However, most do not.
Another noise issue you may run into in residential areas is from kerosene trucks. Some Japanese people still use portable kerosene heaters. You can buy kerosene at some gas stations, but many people also simply buy it from trucks selling it that drive around neighborhoods regularly. These trucks let everyone know they are there to sell it with a loud advertisement on a loop blasted from a megaphone on the truck’s roof as it slowly drives around the neighborhood.
Another type of noise is from protesters. People in Japan protest against various things, such as nuclear power, the “my number” system, etc. Like politicians, they usually conduct their protests near large stations or intersections and use megaphones at extremely loud volumes.
Another loud disturbance is from right-wing political groups. These organizations are known for their loud and aggressive anti-immigration opinions and negative feelings toward the Chinese and North Korean governments. They will be seen at varying times throughout the year, but certainly every year across every major city in large numbers on Japan’s Constitution Memorial Day.
The Japanese government’s Ministry of the Environment provides information on laws regarding noise pollution here and here. Although the law does not say anything about megaphones in general, it does provide useful data to judge whether or not the types of noise I’ve mentioned are in potential violation of the law.
In residential areas, the maximum level of noise permitted is 60 dB during the day and 50 dB at night. If the residential area borders a single-lane road, the limit is 55 dB during the day and 45 dB at night. In non-residential areas that border a road with more than two lanes, the limit is 80 dB during the day and 65 dB at night.
The U.S. CDC provides examples of what level of noise can create hearing damage. At 110 dB, it is equivalent to shouting or barking in the ear, and hearing loss can occur in less than two minutes. At 120 dB, it is like standing beside or near a siren, and the sound of firecrackers is listed as 140-150 dB.
So, how loud exactly are all of these kinds of disturbances in Japan? Well, I actually purchased a decibel meter and went out to see how loud they are.
In a single-lane, residential area at night, the jingle from a kerosene truck was clocked at 86.1 dB, nearly double the 45 dB limit. During the day in the same neighborhood, I also found a recycling truck blaring its advertisement at 94.3 dB, again, significantly more than the 55 dB maximum allowed limit.
At one corner bordering a four-lane road, one group of protesters hit an eardrum-shattering 132.1 dB at one point as I walked past them. They were not unique either. On other days, other protesters there were clocked at 130.2 dB and 130.5 dB. At 130 dB, these protesters are making noise at a level between standing next to a siren and having a firecracker go off near you.
Politicians were similarly loud. At the same location, I recorded one at 112.4 dB. And I was not surprised to clock one right-wing protester at 121.4 dB.
Unfortunately, the bosozoku proved too elusive to catch, but anyone who has come into contact with them knows that the racket they make is excessive.
“At 130 dB, these protesters are making noise right next to you, akin to a level between standing next to a siren and a firecracker.”
One type of noise I admit I love is when the yaki imo (roasted sweet potatoes) salesperson comes in summertime. Traditionally, a man will push a cart around neighborhoods selling them, playing a song with a cute melody that goes, “ishi yaki imo...yaki imo (rock-roasted sweet potatoes...sweet potatoes).” The combination of good weather and vacation from school, along with this delicious food, makes this one kind of noise that no one ever complains about.
As Japan’s economic issues persist due to its dwindling population, the government must focus on maintaining tax revenue. One way to do this is to bring money into Japan from abroad through tourism. This is actually something Japan has thrived at doing over the last few decades. However, not only does Japan need to bring tourists over to keep its revenue up, it needs to keep them coming back. Thus, ensuring they have a pleasant experience and leave with their eardrums intact is paramount. So, addressing Japan’s noise problem is advisable, not only for this reason but also to maintain harmony for Japanese people themselves.
Dr. James Rogers is a university professor who has published books and over 50 articles on linguistics and Japanese studies.
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