How are children under 12 years counted towards the seating capacity of a vehicle?

In Japan, the regulation states that when determining the seating capacity of a vehicle, children under the age of 12 are counted differently than adults. Specifically, the rule is that three children are equivalent to two adults in terms of seat occupancy. This reflects an effort to ensure safety and proper seating arrangements, as children generally require specific restraints and positioning when traveling in vehicles.

Thus, counting three children as two adults allows for a more accurate calculation of how many children can safely occupy the seats designated for adult passengers, while also ensuring that the vehicle is not overloaded. This practice helps maintain safety standards for all occupants, especially younger passengers who may have different safety needs than adults.