Relief is spreading through Japanese club scene at the moment, as the infamous Fueiho law has been revised by the government. The “no-dancing” law was in place since 1948 and prohibited most club goers to move to the music they were listening to. In 2014 a similar bill was proposed to the Japanese government but was discarded. Now, one year later, the proposal for the adjustment of the judicial antiquity was approved by the cabinet.
See also: Japanese Dance Ban (2014)
Specifically, the Fueiho law Japan made no clear distinction between nightclubs and adult entertainment venues, where dancing is prohibited. This made clubs and clubbing somewhat of a grey area in Japanese culture. Over the years, many clubs have been pressured into closing by various Japanese municipalities and a lot of visitors brought to jail because they were essentially breaking the law by dancing.
Japan Times came out with the news about the new law. “Under the revised law, a club would not be defined as an “adult entertainment” business if it has illumination of more than 10 lux — roughly corresponding to that inside a movie theater during intermission.”
The new license that would define nightclubs for what they are, also allow those venues to be open around the clock. Although strict regulation is in place; if the venue would break the lighting regulations and go under the 10 lux they would again be regulated as an adult entertainment venue like before.
Source: Japan Times
