Japan likely to tolerate smoking at restaurants after LDP's resistance.
The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare in Japan was going to apply the new policy to allow smoking only for restaurants of 30 square meters or less. However, they may change it following resistance of the LDP.
Now they are considering a new proposal to allow smoking at larger restaurants (area of 150 square meters or less). That new policy will not apply to major chain and newly opened restaurants.
However, if this new policy passes, you may be able to smoke 90 % of the restaurant in Tokyo.
LDP has strong relationships with Tabaco industry and restaurant industry.
Since Tokyo Olympics will be held in 2020, it would not be difficult to imagine this policy will become the target for severe criticism from all over the world.
On a Japanese bulletin board, one posted,
"How can I get my voice reached to the government? This is so disappointing to watch the whole process of being watered down"
"If you cannot prohibit smoking in public area, we shouldn't hold Olympic. Actually worse than Beijing."
Prevalence of tobacco consumption in Japan is 19.3 % (2015). However, if it is only men, it goes up to 30 %.
