Amid global moves to tighten controls on smoking, the Health and Welfare Ministry, nongovernnmental organizations and other groups will hold various events in Japan to mark World No Tobacco Day on May 31.
The private sector in Japan has made considerable progress in restricting smoking in recent years. Television broadcasters have eliminated tobacco commercials, and Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways have banned smoking on all international flights.
However, the government has been dragging its feet in controlling smoking, favoring smokers rather than nonsmokers. This is obvious in guidelines for improving the nation's health in the 21st century, published by the Health and Welfare Ministry in March.