Photo/Illutration Osaka officials patrol the city’s Miyakojima Ward on Dec. 8, 2023, to enforce regulations on outdoor smoking. (Tatsuya Harada)

OSAKA—To foster a clean image ahead of the 2025 Osaka Kansai Expo, Osaka has implemented a citywide ban on outdoor smoking, effective Jan. 27.

The move, which prohibits smoking in streets, parks and other open public spaces, marks the first of its kind among major Japanese cities.

“The expo is an excellent opportunity to showcase Osaka’s appeal,” said Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama.

“To create a beautiful city worthy of being a global tourist destination, we need the understanding and cooperation of our citizens and businesses,” he said.

The city introduced its first smoking ban in 2007, imposing a fine of 1,000 yen ($6) for violations. However, the restriction was initially limited to six designated areas, including those around JR Osaka Station and Nankai Nanba Station.

The expo prompted the introduction of stricter regulations.

In 2022, then Mayor Ichiro Matsui announced plans to expand the no-smoking zone to the entire city, pledging to create a city free from secondhand smoke.

The ban also extends to the increasingly popular heated tobacco products.

To accommodate inconvenienced smokers, Osaka is creating more designated smoking areas, with about 200 new sites expected to be completed by the start of the world’s fair on April 13.

The city also plans to increase the number of enforcement officers to 100 to issue tickets for violations.

Additionally, a similar restriction will take full effect in April across the wider Osaka Prefecture.

Under this law, restaurants with a dining area of at least 30 square meters must provide designated smoking rooms or become entirely smoke-free.

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