Sitting here drinking my martini and mixing my next two drinks I wonder how people manage to drink and think it is ok to drive. Still Okinawa has the highest drinking and driving incidents then anywhere in Japan. I can image, seeing how people here drink like crazy. Well, Japan has now up the ante on drinking and driving. Not only are there more check points now, and at different hours to counter attack the people staying in the bar till 0600 in the morning then driving home. Here are the new punishments.

DUI–BAC.08 or above–Previously, Imprisonment with hard labor not to exceed
3 years or a fine not exceeding 500,000 yen ( $5,000 ) . Now, Imprisonment with hard
labor not to exceed 5 years or a fine not exceeding 1,000,000 yen ($10,000).

DWDI–BAC.03 to .79–Previously, Imprisonment with hard labor not to exceed
1 year or a fine not exceeding 300,000 yen ($3,000). Now, Imprisonment with hard labor
not to exceed 3 year or a fine not exceeding 500,000 yen ($5,000).

Aiding (offering a vehicle i.e. loaning your car to someone and they receive
a DUI) the same punishment that a drunken driver receives shall be applied.

Aiding (Offering alcoholic drinks i.e. having a party at your
residence.) Imprisonment with hard labor not exceeding 2 years or a fine not
exceeding 300,000 yen ($3,000).

Riding with DUI–Passengers receive…Imprisonment with hard labor not
exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding 500,000 yen ($5,000).

Riding with DWDI–Passengers receive…Imprisonment with hard labor not
exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding 300,000 yen ($3,000).

Yep, as you can see, the punishments really hit the wallet. So if you want to stay out of Japanese jail (which is horrible to begin with) and save some dough, don’t drink and drive in Japan. Happy bar hopping!