Japan’s Osaka bans street smoking ahead of Expo 2025

Osaka, Japan has officially banned smoking on public streets as the city prepares to host the Expo 2025. The World Expo, which will feature participation from around 160 countries and regions, is set to begin in April, prompting the city to take steps toward creating a smoke-free environment.

Osaka’s New Regulations
The smoking ban, effective from Monday, extends to the entire city, building on previous restrictions in select zones, including around Osaka Station. Individuals caught violating the ban will face a fine of 1,000 yen ($6.40). Osaka Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama explained that the city’s goal is to create a welcoming and safe environment for visitors from all over the world.

While smoking while walking has already been prohibited in most parts of Japan, resistance from some lawmakers has prevented more stringent national laws. In Osaka, smoking is still permitted in designated smoking rooms in restaurants, but from April, eateries with seating areas of over 30 square meters will be required to be smoke-free indoors.

Expo 2025 Challenges and Anticipated Impact
Expo 2025 is expected to be a significant event for Osaka and Japan, but slow ticket sales have raised concerns. By early January, 7.5 million tickets had been sold, far short of the organizers’ 15 million ticket target. Concerns have also been raised about the construction budget for the event.

In preparation for major international events, Tokyo had already implemented a total smoking ban in all restaurants back in 2018, ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. However, some areas in Tokyo still allow outdoor smoking.

The Tobacco Industry’s Economic Role
Tobacco-related revenue plays an important role in Japan’s economy. The national and local governments generate approximately two trillion yen ($13 billion) annually from cigarette taxes. Additionally, the government holds a one-third stake in Japan Tobacco, the world’s third-largest tobacco company.

Despite this, smoking rates in Japan have steadily declined in recent years, mirroring a global trend, with only 15.7 percent of the population reported as smokers in 2023.