Discuss the law for driving a vehicle in Japan talking on your cell phone, and using other electronic gear. People need to be aware of all the laws, so people dont make mistakes and get caught by the base police, or the Japanese police.

Just wanted to know if you can talk on your cell in Japan at al while drivingl? I was confused because I asked Security and they didn't know. If anyone knows for sure, please reply. Thanks!

There is a very strict law about driving while using a hand operated mobile phone. You are allowed to use a "hands free" system to talk on your mobile, but you are not allowed to be holding the unit itself. First offense is around 20,000 yen depending on how you treat the reporting officer. Reading the base's rules..it would appear that any use of a mobile device is unauthorised and will be enforced.

Wow, this is good to know. I'll be keeping my eye on this cause I need to know what I can and can't do while driving over there.

Ohhhh trust me, you won't have any desire to touch your phone on or off base. The pedestrians on base cross the street at any convenient place for them without looking both ways first (previous thread that turned into a rant), and there's just WAY too much going on off base for you to be able to afford diverting your attention, even if only for a second.
Example: A lady in a sedan began merging into my lane without looking, signaling, speeding up, etc. I held my horn down, and she kept coming over! I had to hit my brakes and let her in unless I wanted my front left fender messed up. I'm not saying they're all like that, because many of them are courteous, but that is a prime example of why you need to be on your toes at all times.