dk405 comments

One thing that amazes me is how insane people in Japan are going about PM2.5 from China. Most Japanese have no idea that the levels of PM2.5 in workplaces, bars, izakaya, restaurants, etc. where people smoke are some of the highest levels. In fact, inside of an Osaka izakaya is where the highest PM2.5 levels were recorded.

The reality is that smoking inside of a building is posing an unreasonable risk of harm to innocent people. I would rather Japan stop banning smoking on the streets and ban smoking in all indoor places. I have been to doctors offices where the docs light up in their offices. I have taught English at government offices in Tokyo and at the engineering headquarters for one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world and they STILL allow smoking in the office. Of course, smoking outdoors raises levels of harmful gasses and pm2.5 particles, but indoor smoking is so much worse. Japan must move quickly to ban smoking indoors in all places other than private residences. It should be much easier now that the government is selling more of their JT stock.