Daily Life Lessons · Noise
Know rough levels of the sounds made in daily life, make efforts to reduce noise according to the time of day and your home, and be able to consult the management company or local government when you have a problem.
Everyday living noise (生活騒音) means sounds that come from daily life, such as household appliances, people talking and footsteps. Everyone makes these sounds, and they cannot be eliminated. Most of it is not directly regulated by law, so mutual consideration is important.
According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, rough levels are about 64–72 decibels for a washing machine, about 50–61 decibels for ordinary conversation, and about 90–100 decibels for a barking dog. The national environmental quality standards set targets for the environment of residential areas of 55 decibels or less in the daytime (6:00–22:00) and 45 decibels or less at night (22:00–6:00). These are not standards for policing sounds from individual homes, but extra consideration is needed at night.
Try things such as being careful about when you use a washing machine or vacuum cleaner, and closing doors quietly. In apartment buildings, there may be rules in the management rules (管理規約) or similar. If you have a problem, first consult the management company, the landlord, or the local government.
生活騒音（せいかつそうおん）は、毎日の 生活で 出る 音（おと）です。 洗濯機（せんたくき）、話し声、足音（あしおと）などです。 だれでも 出す 音なので、みんなで 気をつけます。
音の 大きさの 目安（めやす）： - 洗濯機：約（やく）64〜72デシベル - ふつうの 話し声：約50〜61デシベル - 犬の 声：約90〜100デシベル
国の 目標（もくひょう）では、住宅地（じゅうたくち）の 環境（かんきょう）は 昼 55デシベル 以下、夜 45デシベル 以下です。 これは 家の 音を 取（と）り締（し）まる きまりでは ありません。でも、夜は 静かに することが 大切です。
- 洗濯機や 掃除機（そうじき）を 使う 時間に 気をつけます。 - ドアを 静かに 閉（し）めます。
マンションなどは、決まりが ある ことも あります。 困ったら、管理会社（かんりがいしゃ）や 大家（おおや）、市役所などに 相談（そうだん）します。
Which is correct about everyday living noise?
Everyday living noise comes from daily life, and everyone makes it. Mutual consideration is important.
In the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's materials, which has the loudest rough level, about 90–100 decibels?
A barking dog is about 90–100 decibels, louder than a washing machine (about 64–72) or conversation (about 50–61).
Under the national environmental quality standards, what is the target for residential areas at night (22:00–6:00)?
The targets for residential areas are 55 decibels or less in the daytime and 45 decibels or less at night. They are targets for the area as a whole, not standards for policing sounds from each home.
How can you check the noise rules in an apartment building?
Noise rules differ by building, for example in its management rules. Check with the management company or landlord.
What is appropriate to do first when noise from a neighbor is a problem for you?
The basic approach is to avoid direct confrontation and consult the management company, landlord, or local government. If you feel in danger, call 110.
Q. Is there a rule about the time after which you must not make noise?
A. There is no nationwide rule. It differs depending on your apartment building's management rules and local customs. In general, sounds are more noticeable at night and early in the morning, so take extra care at these times. Check the rules for your home with the management company or landlord.
Q. I'm worried that my everyday noise is bothering others.
A. You can lay a carpet or mat on the floor, put cushions on furniture legs, and be careful about when you use a washing machine and similar appliances. If you are worried, try consulting the management company or landlord.
Q. What if talking it over doesn't solve the problem?
A. You can consult the management company, the landlord, or your local government's consultation service. If it seems likely to become a legal problem, you can also get information on consultation services from Houterasu (法テラス, Japan Legal Support Center). If you feel you are in danger, call 110.
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Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-10-03
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original