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| Tokyo may allow children to make noise for the first time in fifteen years | Tokyo may allow children to make noise for the first time in fifteen years |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| After years of relative silence in suburban Tokyo, children may soon be free to make some noise. | After years of relative silence in suburban Tokyo, children may soon be free to make some noise. |
| According to a noise pollution ordinance enacted 15 years ago in the outskirts of the Japanese capital, no person can make noise in excess of 45 decibels, which is about the volume of a bird whistle.But there's a proposal on the table to exclude children's voices from regulation, and some wards hope to even extend the exception to local teenagers. | |
| The move was triggered by a series of complaints by elderly residents about the noise from parks and schools, as the Tokyo's local government realised it should probably foster a more child-friendly environment, especially in light of the country's plummeting birth rates. | |
| According to Japan News, schools across the city have been subject to complaint; sometimes it's because the students are talking, sometimes it's because the teachers are teaching. | According to Japan News, schools across the city have been subject to complaint; sometimes it's because the students are talking, sometimes it's because the teachers are teaching. |
| The law means that every complaint must be considered, and measures introduced to keep the kids quiet. | The law means that every complaint must be considered, and measures introduced to keep the kids quiet. |
| "Should we be so intolerant of the voices of children?" asked one local politician in January. | "Should we be so intolerant of the voices of children?" asked one local politician in January. |
| In a poll last year of 49 cities and wards surrounding Tokyo, only three said that noise from children should be regulated by the existing ordinance. | In a poll last year of 49 cities and wards surrounding Tokyo, only three said that noise from children should be regulated by the existing ordinance. |
| One supporter of the rule reform told the FT: "To treat children’s voices like the noise from a machine is outrageous." | |
| The city's environment and construction subcommittee will soon debate a proposed exemption for children under 12 and for places like parks and playgrounds. | |
| There is, however, still strong resistance from some communities, many of whom claim any noise above a certain level is an infringement on property rights. | |
| The FT reports that one advocate told the city: "Children's voices should certainly be covered by noise regulations. | The FT reports that one advocate told the city: "Children's voices should certainly be covered by noise regulations. |
| "Nearby people suffer. It's a big problem. Land values fall so it's a violation of property rights." | "Nearby people suffer. It's a big problem. Land values fall so it's a violation of property rights." |
| Another said: "Carefree play does not mean children should be allowed to make noise without thinking. | Another said: "Carefree play does not mean children should be allowed to make noise without thinking. |
| "Children should be taught to speak and sing at an appropriate volume, and age four is old enough to understand that." | "Children should be taught to speak and sing at an appropriate volume, and age four is old enough to understand that." |
| (Graph data: Temple University Department of Civil Engineering ) | (Graph data: Temple University Department of Civil Engineering ) |