10 Observations on Driving in Japan

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I just got back from a 16-day trip exploring Japan (Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Kyoto, Nagano Prefecture) and wanted to share 10 interesting observations about the roadways, vehicles, and traffic. Related photos are below my signature.

Right-hand drive. Vehicles are right-hand drive and they drive on the left side of the road. So right turns feel like our lefts, and vice versa. After two days and a few hundred kilometers, I got pretty used to it, but it was useful having a copilot to confirm my intended moves.
Compact commercial trucks. Trucks are much smaller, generally not articulated, extremely clean, and appear to have superior underride protection. Images 1, 2, + 3.
Kei cars dominate. Passenger vehicles are tiny and kei cars are everywhere (under 11.2 ft long, 4.9 ft wide, and 6.6 ft tall). I want one. Their pickup trucks are also wee, practical, and cheap ($9k brand new). Oh, and they have stellar luxury minivans. Images 4, 5, + 6.
Few full-size pickups. I only saw a handful of American-sized pickups. I expected to see a lot of Toyota Hiluxes, like our Tacoma, but they were rare.
Curve radius signs. Road signs include curve radius info, a brilliant Japanese detail for calibrating your speed. I wish I’d photographed one, but was focused on staying on the correct side of the road.
Strict lane discipline. Drivers take the left-lane (or right in their case) is for passing rule seriously, creating smooth traffic flow.
Low highway speeds. The speed limit is generally quite low, 80 kph (50 mph). Even speedy groups were sticking ~100 kph (62 mph).
Minimal honking. I was in Tokyo (population ~35 million) for a week and I could count on one hand how many times I heard a horn. Drivers seem patient and often communicate using hazard lights (sorry, excuse me, etc.).
Scarce EVs. There were almost no electric vehicles, which surprised me.
Lower fatality rate. Japan’s traffic fatality rate is ~30% lower than the US. Likely a result of strict licensing/tests, tough enforcement, and low-speed urban streets.