How come in Japan they drive on the passenger side?

Question

That's surprising because Japan was never colonized by the British.

Answer 1

How come in America they (and I) drive on the Japanese passenger side?

Answer 2

It can be traced to the Samurai back in 1600. They did this to more easily avoid scabbords touching during passing and thus cause a fight. It was then carried out much later 1872 when UK trains were installed. It was also a law that people entering Edo aka Tokyo must keep to the left. So there you have it. One tradition and reason led to another and so on.

Answer 3

To stop Americans driving in Japan.

Answer 4

They don't, they drive on the driver's side!  LOLOL!.  It is just that the passenger side and driver's sides are opposite to what we see in Canada and the US.  It is all a matter of perspective.  If you were Japanese, you would be asking why Yankees drive on the passenger side!

Answer 5

Myanmar (Burma) was a British colony until 1948, and drove on the left until 1970, when it changed sides.

It is said that the ruler of the country, Ne Win, consulted a soothsayer or interpreted a dream to mean that all traffic should keep to the right.

However, there are still many old cars and buses and almost all the modern cars are second hand imports from Japan so virtually every vehicle is right hand drive.

You can still see old traffic lights in downtown Rangoon on the wrong side of the road.

Answer 6

It's because they know how to drive on the correct side of the road.

Answer 7

How come rain falls from the sky and not from the ground up. Its surprising because it really does rain cats and dogs. :/