Japan lowered the speed limit to 30km/h on residential roads that lack a center line or maximum speed signs, effective on a Tuesday. ^[1] Data from Japan's National Police Agency indicate that pedestrian fatality rates are below 1% in accidents involving vehicles traveling at 30 km/h or less, rising to 2.7% at 30-40 km/h and 17.4% at 50-60 km/h. ^[2] Data indicates that children and older people are at particular risk of fatal or serious accidents on these narrow urban streets. ^[3] Police agency data show the mortality rate among pedestrians is less than 1% in accidents involving vehicles traveling at or below 30km/h, rising to 17.4% at speeds of 50-60km/h. ^[4] The new speed restriction covers approximately 870,000 kilometers of roads that are less than 5.5 meters wide and lack center lines or median barriers, according to the Mainichi Shimbun. ^[5]