Why Japan's Convenience Stores Are Removing Outdoor Ashtrays (2026 Update)
Table of contents
The three drivers
(1) 2020 revised Health Promotion Act: nationwide duty to avoid causing unwanted second-hand smoke outdoors. Store-front ashtrays expose non-smoking customers and school-route children, making removal the industry standard. (2) Local by-laws: Kyoto, Osaka, most Tokyo wards, Yokohama, Fukuoka have expanded designated zones with JPY 1,000–2,000 on-the-spot fines, and store ashtrays inside zones are non-compliant. (3) Neighbour complaints: convenience stores are often next to residential areas and school routes; PTA, neighbourhood associations, and city government complaints have pushed corporate HQs to direct franchisees toward removal.
Chain-by-chain stance
7-Eleven: phased removal since 2019. Some locations in busy entertainment districts retain ashtrays in coordination with public smoking spaces. FamilyMart: aggressive removal since 2020 Act enforcement. Lawson: same. Ministop: aligned with Aeon Group parent policy. Individual franchisee discretion remains, so some local variation exists.
What to do as a tourist
(1) Use MottoSuitai (https://mottosuitai.com/) to find designated outdoor smoking spots within 2 km of your location. (2) Carry a portable ashtray (sold for JPY 300–1,000 at Don Quijote, Loft, Tokyu Hands). (3) Use designated outdoor smoking spaces at department stores, station buildings, and shopping malls when nearby.
Sources
■ MHLW Health Promotion Act revision: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/0000189195.html ■ Japan Franchise Chain Association: https://www.jfa-fc.or.jp/
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.Why did the convenience stores remove their ashtrays?
A.Three drivers: the 2020 revised Health Promotion Act outdoor consideration duty, expanding city by-laws with on-the-spot fines, and neighbour / school-route complaints.
Q.Are there any convenience stores that still have ashtrays?
A.A few, at individual franchisee discretion, especially in entertainment districts. But all four major chains have HQ-level removal policies.
Q.After buying cigarettes at a konbini, where can I smoke?
A.Use MottoSuitai (https://mottosuitai.com/) to find the nearest designated smoking spot. Carry a portable ashtray as backup.
Q.What happens if I drop a cigarette butt on the ground?
A.Littering violates road, waste, and municipal by-laws, with on-the-spot fines plus potential additional charges. Always use a portable ashtray.