Why do pedestrian crossings exist?
Short answer
Crossings identify places for pedestrians to cross and make it easier for drivers and walkers to anticipate one another.
How it works
A crossing identifies a place where pedestrians cross, making it easier for drivers to watch for them. In Japan, pedestrians have priority at a crossing, and drivers must approach slowly enough to stop and yield when someone is crossing or about to cross. Follow signals and signs where they apply, and check both ways before crossing.
Key point
A crossing does not mean that the location is automatically safe. It gives pedestrians and drivers a shared place where they can check one another and apply the traffic rules.