I think Japan is the last "Developed" Country that is left in which you can pretty much smoke wherever you want. And the few places you aren't allowed to smoke, people just don't care and smoke away, I am totally for Smokers rights, however there are some places that its just not polite to do so, such as in an elevator, which I have seen happen many times. Here there isn't really a smoking witch hunt like in North America, so you often see people smoking right next to no smoking signs. In Japan it seems that the laws are based on politeness rather than rights, I think its is perceived to be impolite to ask smokers to not smoke and then the places where people don't I think its because its considered rude to smoke there. Sounds like a good system to me
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Yes, smoking habits in Japan do cast doubt on some preconceived notions about Japanese.
In Tokyo, every morning outside Shinjuku station some people wearing arm bands stand outside the station. I think the hope is that their mere presence will discourage people from lighting up. It doesn't. I've rarely seen these "smoke police" approach a smoker. When they do, they are often ignored.
One thing that does fit the stereotype though, I've never seen a confrontation, no shouting and certainly no shoving.
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