Observance of laws and regulations
Recent years have seen the occurrence of a number of deplorable incidents involving students of the university, such as arrests for sex crimes and drug abuse. Besides being subject to strict legal penalties, such criminal acts are punishable under tough regulations instituted by the university, in the form of expulsion or suspension. They have an extremely adverse impact on not only the victim and his or her family, but also on the subsequent life of the offending student. The university asks all students to exhibit awareness of respect for human rights and the importance of observing laws and regulations in all sorts of day-to-day activities, and to behave and act conscientiously.
General Regulations of Kyoto University
Article 32.
- A student who fails to observe the University Regulations and who behaves contrary to or is incapable of the self-discipline expected shall be submitted to disciplinary action by the President.
- Procedures concerning disciplinary action shall be designated separately.
Article 33. The types of disciplinary action shall be as follows:
1) Reprimand
2) Suspension
3) Dismissal
Prohibition of commuting by car, cycling etiquette, etc.
Kyoto University enforces regulations governing transportation in and around the campus in order to retain an environment befitting a site of education and research, assure access routes in times of emergency, preserve the safety of pedestrians, and prevent noise. As a general rule, students are prohibited from commuting to and from the campus by car, with the exception of special cases such as physically challenged students. Please use public means of transportation for commuting.
1. Park bicycles, motorscooters, etc. at the prescribed parking lots, and lock them to prevent theft!!
Kyoto University has designated parking lots for bicycles and motorized two-wheeled vehicles in order to preserve pedestrian safety and assure evacuation routes. Make sure to park only in these lots. Bicycles which are not parked in these lots may be forcibly removed. There have been many incidents of bicycle theft on the campus. To prevent theft, please register your bicycle with the authorities and be sure to lock your bicycle (preferably with two locks) after parking it. There have also been many incidents of theft of bags and wallets on the campus. Never leave your belongings unattended and always pay close attention to them.
2. Cycling etiquette
Although Kyoto University has repeatedly cautioned students about etiquette when on their bicycles, dangerous acts such as the following are still causing scrapes and collisions.
- Sudden darting out from behind buildings and gates
- Cycling on walkways at high speeds, side by side, or with two riders on one bicycle
- Ignoring red lights or neglecting to stop at stop signs
- Cycling at night without a bicycle light
- Going the wrong way in the street lane
To ride a piste (fixed-gear) racing bicycle, which does not have any brakes, in the street or on campus is extremely dangerous and a violation of the Road Traffic Act. Roads in the vicinity of the University are used mainly by community residents. Dangerous behavior when riding bicycles on them can cause traffic accidents and destroy the residential environment. When riding a bicycle, always aspire to safe cycling with an awareness of being a member of society, and never neglect to show concern for the surrounding area. Even bicycle accidents can result in serious injuries. In at least one case, a cyclist had to pay an enormous compensation totaling 50 million yen for injuring a pedestrian. Students are advised to take out a bicycle insurance policy and exercise full caution to preserve safety.
To all students: campaign for promotion of and enlightenment about safe use of bicycles
3. Cycling violations and penalties
Make sure to observe the five basic rules for safe bicycle use.
- As a general rule, bicycles are to be ridden only in the street; they may be ridden on walkways only in exceptional cases.
- Bicycles are to be ridden on the left side of the street.
- Pedestrians take precedence on walkways. Cyclists ride at a reduced speed on the side of the walkway closer to the road.
- Cyclists must observe all rules of safety.
- All children on bicycles must wear helmets.
4. Consultation in the event of traffic accidents
Kyoto Prefectural Government has instituted a counter for consultation, free of charge, in the event of traffic accidents. At this counter, advice is provided by a consultant with specialized knowledge in areas such as compensation for damages, out-of-court settlement, and insurance claims. Students may also consult a lawyer free of charge, if necessary.
Consultation & inquiries:Kyoto Prefectural Traffic Accident Consultation Office(Nishiiru, Shinmachi, Shimodachiuridori, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto; on the first floor of the former main building of the offices of Kyoto Prefectural Government)
Tel: 075-414-4274
Face-to-face consultation hours: 9:00 - 11:30 AM, 1:00 - 4:30 PM, weekdays (closed on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and the year-end holiday)
Caution about acute alcoholic intoxication etc.
Alcoholic beverages are generally served on occasions such as receptions to welcome new students and student parties. Consumption of large amounts of alcohol within a short time can impair motor functions to the point that the person cannot stand by him or herself and even cause a loss of consciousness. In the worst case, it can arrest respiration and cause acute cardiac failure, and therefore lead to death or, even if the person is revived, serious lingering after-effects. Even without exhibiting such symptoms, students have suffered injuries from falls due to unsteadiness on their feet and died from choking while vomiting. At other universities, there have been cases of student deaths from acute alcoholic intoxication that occurred at drinking parties held by intramural clubs or circles. At Kyoto University as well, there have been cases in which students lapsed into critical condition, were taken to the hospital, and very nearly died as a result of acute alcoholic intoxication.
We request all students to strictly observe the following rules when drinking alcoholic beverages.
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors is strictly forbidden. Do not encourage minors to drink them and, if you are a minor, do not drink them even if encouraged.
- Even if you are old enough to drink alcoholic beverages, do not engage in chugging or other dangerous drinking, or encourage or force others to do so.
- Do not encourage consumption of alcoholic beverages by people whose physical constitution is not suited to them.
- If you drink, do not drive a car, ride a motor scooter or motorcycle, or ride a bicycle.
- If one of your company has become overly inebriated, assume the responsibility of taking care of that person (by loosening the clothing and laying him or her down, on his or her side, etc.) instead of abandoning him or her. Call an ambulance immediately if the person does not react when shaken or when his or her name is called, or when you detect abnormality such as extremely loud snoring or breathing only intermittently.
To all students: cautions about acute alcoholic intoxication from drinking
Cautions about theft
In Kyoto University, there have been cases of theft (including theft or switching of articles left unattended) in various facilities, including the gymnasium, club rooms, athletic grounds, lecture rooms, and laboratories. On the campus are not only teachers and students but also many external parties. Make sure to always keep precious articles on your person and to never leave your belongings unattended, even for a little while.
To avoid being victimized by swindles and scams
There have been many cases of students falling prey to swindles and scams targeting them. Focusing on the relative lack of knowledge of the world and social experience on the part of students, these schemes prey on them by promises of easy money or, at times, by thinly veiled threats. Listed below are some types of swindles and scams. Other new and ingenious types have also surfaced. Please beware of them!
"Catch sales"
People are stopped on the street and asked for their cooperation with a questionnaire survey. If they consent, they are taken to an office where they are, in effect, forced to buy costly cosmetics or membership rights.
Firmly refuse instead of taking an ambiguous attitude!
Appointment sales
People make an appointment for a meeting at an office based on a telephone call promising benefits such as discounts on overseas airline tickets and fees for use of leisure facilities. Once at the office, they are told that the discounts are given only with the purchase of other items (such as video learning aids), and end up being, in effect, forced to buy costly articles.
Beware of sweet deals brought by strangers!
Pyramid schemes
Victims are recruited by promises of increasing income simply by recruiting others. They become members by buying products, and receive rebates when the same products are purchased by friends and acquaintances they introduce. The rebates are supposed to increase as those friends and acquaintances recruit their friends and acquaintances, ad infinitum. People become members in the belief that the scheme is an easy way to make money on the side, but are liable to be left only with the merchandise and debt.
There is no way of making easy money. Do not jump at a juicy offer!
Bank transfer scams
There are many cases of bank transfer scams in Japan. Victims get a telephone call from a person claiming to be their son or grandson, and are told to transfer money to a certain bank account immediately, on the pretext of payment of damages for settlement of a traffic accident or repayment to a loan shark. In other cases, a person claiming to be a police officer or lawyer defrauds victims of their money by seeking payment for a fictitious out-of-court settlement. Before transferring any money in response to such a call, students and families are urged to contact each other to confirm the facts of the matter.
Do not transfer money hastily. Do not transfer money without consulting anyone for advice!
Fraudulent billing
There has been an increase in the number of cases of fraudulent billing, in which victims are billed for use of pay-per-view websites which they have not actually used. To avoid falling prey to such schemes, please take the following action.
- Ignore any bills for goods or services which you have not received. (Save the postcard or e-mail containing the bill.)
- Definitely do not contact the designated contact person.
- Set your computer to block spam e-mail.
- Do not try to deal with the biller yourself; instead, consult the police, your family, or your friends.
To all students: cautions about fraudulent billing
Cases of consumer trouble to which youth are particularly vulnerable (Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) (PDF)
Prevention of abuse of cannabis and other drugs
There have been many incidents of abuse of cannabis (marijuana) and other drugs among university students and other youth. In Kyoto University as well, students have been arrested and severely punished for drug abuse. As noted below, besides ruining the user's mind and body, drug abuse leads to the breakdown of relations with friends and family, and does far-reaching harm to society as a whole. For this reason, laws prohibit the possession, use, cultivation, and provision of illicit drugs, and provide for the imposition of severe punishments on violators. Kyoto University, too, imposes severe punishments of its own. Violations therefore have a tremendous impact on the future life of the violators.
All students are requested to make sure that they do not try cannabis, narcotics, stimulants (amphetamines), MDMA, or any other illicit drugs or glue- or paint-thinner sniffing on an impulse or out of curiosity. Always be aware that you are a Kyoto University student and take responsible action. Please also note that some illicit drugs are sold through the Internet under the false claim of being legal. Moreover, just because substances are legal does not mean that they are safe. Students must be fully aware of the health risks and danger of dependency in use of pain-killers, sleeping pills, cough medicine, and other drugs as well as in consumption of alcoholic beverages and smoking.
1. Be fully aware that abuse of stimulants, cannabis, and other illicit drugs can do tremendous harm not only to the user but also to society as a whole.
- It has an adverse impact on the user's mind and body.
- Users become unable to stop using the drug of their own accord.
- Users can experience hallucinations and delusions, and commit serious crimes.
- Their relations with friends and family breakdown.
- Use of drugs is strictly forbidden by law, and users can be severely punished.
2. Beware of smooth invitations to drug abuse, and have the courage to absolutely refuse even if so enticed.
- The website noted below presents detailed information on drug abuse.
Drug Abuse Prevention Center website: http://www.dapc.or.jp/
To all students: Reminder concerning prevention of drug abuse, including use of illicit drugs
Beware of recruitment activities by cults and radical groups
Freedom of religion and thought is guaranteed by the Constitution of Japan, and religion and thought should, of course, be free. However, there exist some anti-social cults and radical groups that use this guarantee to their advantage and resort to lies and illegal acts which they justify under their own self-serving interpretations.
There have occurred incidents of trouble related to recruitment activities by cults (illegal recruitment, intimidation, coerced contribution, etc.). In many cases, cults attempt to recruit new members among students through the following sequence of activities.
- They first approach students to join a circle or cooperate with a questionnaire survey.
- They engage in conversation about life and hobbies, become friendly with the students, and ask for personal information such as address and telephone number.
- They persistently encourage the students to participate in seminars and camps.
Once they join the cult, the students are kept busy with activities such as collecting funds and recruiting other students for the cult, at a great expenditure of time and effort. As a result, their relations with others break down and they become unable to lead a sound and fruitful student life. To avoid victimization by a cult, always beware of suspicious recruitment campaigns. In many cases, students are approached by cult members when they are alone. To avoid entanglement in trouble, ask the person why he or she is approaching you, and be on your guard if he or she refuses to tell you his or her name or purpose, or is vague about the same. Never give private information to another person you are meeting for the first time. It is important to have the courage to flatly refuse requests if you are not interested.
- Beware of any circle or group whose actual name and activities are different from what you were told when recruited.
- Have the courage to refuse requests if you sense something suspicious.
- Immediately consult your friends, family, or the University.
- Immediately escape if you are subjected to information manipulation or information control.
If you see or are targeted by suspicious recruiting activities, immediately consult the the Welfare Division of the Education Promotion and Student Support Department.
Confirmation of safety before making overseas trips
Students can use summer vacations or other opportunities to travel to other countries. Depending on the country or region, social turmoil or other factors may make it necessary to refrain from travel or to exercise particular caution. Before making an overseas trip, be sure to get detailed information on safety at the destination. Students are also encouraged to take out travel insurance policies for a rainy day.
Please make full use of the supply of information on safety in other countries by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Be sure to ask the travel agency as well about safety at the destination.
Consultation and inquiries: MOFA [A2] (http://www.pubanzen.mofa.go.jp/)
If you are going to travel to another country, be sure to submit the Notification of Overseas Travel to the office assigned to education affairs in your faculty or graduate school in advance.
Response when earthquakes occur
- Earthquake response manual (PDF)
- List of temporary gathering places, evacuation sites, and emergency contacts in the event of an earthquake (PDF)
Use of credit cards
Students may be tempted to take out student loans that can swiftly be obtained with a student ID card or to readily use credit cards enabling payment of bills at stores and restaurants with just a signature. If they are not careful, they may find themselves hard-pressed to make the repayments and jeopardize the continuation of their student life. Kyoto University provides short-term, interest-free loans under its Small Short-term Loan program. Please consult the Student Affairs Division of the Education Promotion and Student Support Department if you are required to make sudden expenditures due to illness, unforeseen incidents, delayed remittances, etc.
Subscription to the National Pension program
It is the purpose of the National Pension program to prevent our lives from adverse impact due to old age, unforeseen occurrences, and the like. It provides for mutual economic support by all based on advance payment of insurance premiums, and is open to all aged 20 - 60 who live in Japan. Students of the university, too, are urged to subscribe to the program once they turn 20.
Regarding procedures for subscription to the National Pension program, please contact the office assigned to the National Pension in the city, ward, town, or village in which you officially reside. For students who do not have an income, the program includes the Special Payment System for Students. For more details, please contact the aforementioned office.