Studless Tires Use in Japan

Studded tires are used on nearly all vehicles in cold and snowy regions in Japan. This has become a pollution problem because the tire studs grind paved road surfaces. The large volumes of dust that are generated present a health problem and worsens the environment in general.

Civic organizations are using the courts to try to enforce a ban on studded tires. However drivers are uneasy about safety with studless tires and are against a ban on studded tires.

In January and February of 1987 and 1988 the City of Sapporo conducted training program for safe driving under winter conditions, attracting 3000 drivers to 3 hours of training in braking and hill driving techniques.

As a result of the program a number of approaches to the future propagation of studless tires is being considered