The Japanese city of Osaka has imposed a smoking ban on public streets to become more visitor-friendly ahead of this year’s World Expo.
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Around 160 countries and regions are taking part in Expo 2025, the latest edition of an event held every five years in different global locations.
“The World Expo begins in April. We want to welcome many people from all over the world, so we want to make Osaka a city where people feel safe with smoke-free streets,” mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama said in early January.
Before the ban, smoking was banned in six zones including the area around Osaka station. This has been expanded to the whole city and violators face a fine of 1,000 yen (US$6.45).
Local regulations already ban smoking while walking in most places in Japan, but opposition from some lawmakers has prevented strict national laws.
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From April, the wider Osaka region will prohibit smoking in restaurants with seating areas larger than 30 square metres (320 sq ft), although lighting up in a separate space, such as a smoking room, is allowed.