Did you know that in Japan, the “go” light on traffic signals isn’t always green, but sometimes blue instead? Yes, you read that right.
For tourists planning to drive in Japan, this unusual color swap can be confusing. But, this blue light isn’t just a quirky coincidence. It is rooted in Japan’s deep-seated linguistic and cultural traditions.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know, including:
You’ll leave with a clear understanding of Japanese traffic lights. And, we hope you will feel more confident navigating Japan’s roads after reading this article. So, let’s dive into how this small difference reflects a much bigger cultural story.
All over the world, traffic lights consistently use three main colors: Red, Yellow, and Green.
Each color is universally recognized to convey specific instructions:
So far, you’ve learned nothing.
This system is as old as the traffic light itself, and most countries adhere to it. Yet, Japan’s traffic lights occasionally swap the green light for blue. This unusual fact is catching the eye of visitors from around the globe.
What’s happening here?
The truth is not that Japan decided to ignore international standards. But, rather that it took its history and language into consideration when implementing the system.
The cultural decision to include blue actually predates many of the global traffic norms currently in use. Let me tell you this short story.
The real reason lies in a historic linguistic twist within the Japanese language.
Historical Color Categories in Japan
Old-Japanese language was categorizing colors differently from Western languages. Instead of dividing the spectrum into the broad range of colors other cultures acknowledge, Japanese had a simpler system. Indeed, they mainly referred to colors using four basic terms: kuro (black), shiro (white), aka (red), and ao (blue).
For centuries, there wasn’t a separate word for the color green as we know it today. Hence, the term “ao” (青), which is translated as “blue” in English, traditionally covered both what we call green and blue shades.
This meant that what other cultures might have called green was seen as part of the “blue” family in centuries-old Japan. For example, the Japanese word for fresh verdant foliage is aoba, which literally translates to “blue leaves.” Similarly, aona referred to leafy vegetables like spinach. Green apples are called aoringo (青りんご), and green traffic lights are simply ao shingō (青信号).
This situation might seem unusual, but it’s actually quite common across languages. For example, the color “orange” wasn’t recognized as distinct from red until the 16th century in French, Dutch, and English—and not until the 18th century in German.
This is the reason why English say “Redhead” to describe someone with hair that has an orange tint. Another interesting example spans accross French, German, and Dutch. The European robin, which is famous for having orange fether is called “Rouge-gorge” in French, “Rotkehlchen” in German, and “Roodborstje” in Dutch. All these expressions can be translated more or less as “Red breast”.
But, let’s get back to our Japanese language problem and how it has been solved in the recent centuries.
Over time, Japanese language and culture progressed. The word midori (緑), which exclusively means green today, emerged as a color term until Japan’s growing exposure to Western cultures . This step was initiated in the 19th century when Japan started to trade with the West and modernize every aspect of their society.
However, the transition wasn’t a rapid or complete one. Even with midori gaining traction to define green, ao held a special place in the language and culture. This is especially noticeable for institutional uses like in the traffic signals we are discussing now.
When Japan installed its first traffic lights in 1930, they adhered to the common global standard at the time. Red for stop. Yellow for caution. And, green for go.
But, here’s where it gets interesting.
Because the color green wasn’t as distinct in the Japanese color system, the “go” light was interpreted through the historical lens of ao. So, when you think of this blue traffic light in Japan, what you’re really seeing is an echo of how the Japanese language and culture have long blended blue and green.
Yet, the story doesn’t end there.
Fastforward in 1973. In the past decades, various treaties and agreements set expectations for uniformity in road signs and signals. The most famous one is the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, written in 1968. It sets unified rules and best practices for many aspects of road safety, including traffic lights.
Yet, there’s a twist.
Japan is not a signatory of the Vienna Convention, meaning it isn’t bound by its traffic signal regulations. Still, Japan voluntarily follows many of the convention’s guidelines. This includes the use of red, yellow, and green in traffic lights. At least technically speaking.
At that time, the Japanese government faced a unique situation. How could they follow international traffic norms while maintaining the cultural interpretation of ao?
The solution was both practical and culturally significant. Japan decreed that its green signal would be the bluest possible shade of green. This meant that while the light complied with the rule for a green “go” signal, it still leaned into the cultural affinity for blue.
So, what may look blue to your eyes at a Japanese intersection is, by regulatory standards, a legal shade of green.
Japanese traffic regulations are designed to meet international safety standards in most practical ways.
However, Japan’s lack of formal adherence to the Vienna Convention has other implications.
For example, it affects the use of international driving permits (IDP). Countries that signed the Vienna Convention—such as France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, and Monaco—issue IDPs to their residents. Yet, these permits are not valid in Japan.
So, how do drivers from these countries legally drive in Japan?
If you’re a tourist from one of these signatory countries, Japan has a different process for you. Instead of presenting an IDP, you must provide a certified translation of your driver’s license. Local services like Nippon Driver offer straightforward access to these translations. This service ensures compliance with Japanese laws during your road trip in Japan.
This government requirement may seem like an extra step. Yet, Nippon Driver makes it simple and ensures that tourists like you can drive legally and safely in Japan.
Let’s get back to Japanese traffic lights! Because there is more to say.
This mix of historical terminology and modern standards shows how Japan upholds tradition in a rapidly changing world. The blue traffic light in Japan embodies centuries of linguistic history. This is an example of how language shapes the way we see the world.
For tourists, seeing these blue-leaning traffic lights is both entertaining and educational. It’s a reminder that Japan’s public systems, like those everywhere else, are shaped by cultural elements from past and present.
Driving through Japan offers incredible views of the natural landscape. It also gives glimpses into a society that blends the old with the new . Even in something as mundane as a traffic light.
Other countries also have slight deviations from the international norm in traffic signals. In parts of Canada, traffic lights for public transportation are shaped differently. In Mexico, blinking lights are used more often for warnings.
These global differences show how regional identity can influence everyday things like driving. For tourists in Japan, being aware of these differences—such as the blue-green light and the need for a certified license translation instead of an international driving permit—helps make travel smoother.
Although the colors of Japanese traffic lights seem different, they still follow international standards. As said earlier. But how is that made possible?
The answer comes down to a combination of factors. These include scientific advancements, government decisions, and cultural adaptation. Japanese traffic lights, while appearing bluer than what most Western drivers are used to, are the result of precise technological calibrations.
Originally, traffic lights around the world used incandescent or halogen bulbs. These technologies didn’t allow much room for subtle color adjustments.
But in recent decades, Japan has switched most of its traffic lights to LED technology. LEDs are well-known for their precision in color control.
Using this technology, Japanese engineers can tweak the hue of green. They set it to reach the most blue-tinted variant that is still within the acceptable wavelength for “go” signals. The typical green go light emitting diodes in Japan are fine-tuned to fall between 490 and 500 nanometers on the wavelength spectrum. This setting gives a bluish-green hue.
Interestingly, what you perceive as blue is also influenced by human biology and how our eyes process the color spectrum.
The cones in our eyes that process green and blue wavelengths aren’t as distinct as for other colors. So a shade of green with a slight blue tint can appear full-on blue for some people. But this depends on how sensitive the viewers are to certain wavelengths.
This color perception, combined with Japan’s effort to meet cultural preferences, makes the lights appear unique. Tourists coming from countries where the go light is distinctly green are especially victim of this feeling.
Japan’s use of slightly blue-tinged green traffic lights represents more than just a quirk in a nation’s infrastructure. It’s a reflection of the deep connection between technology and culture. By using newer LED technology, engineers have been able to effectively blur the lines. By this, we mean both between green and blue and between tradition and modernity.
This is a prime example of how adapting global standards doesn’t mean ignoring cultural heritage. In Japan, the technology behind traffic lights helps preserve a long history of how the color ao evolved. And, as a tourist driving around Japan, recognizing this scientific-cultural balancing act can help you appreciate the fusion of innovation and tradition that makes Japan so unique.
If you’re planning a trip to Japan and want to dive into Japanese driving culture, be sure to research topics like license translation requirements. You might also want to share this information with other travelers. Staying informed is essential for enjoying your journey.
So, next time you see a blue light on a Japanese street, don’t be confused. Instead, feel intrigued and empowered, knowing the rich history behind this small yet meaningful part of Japan’s roads!