OSAKA - Japan began applying a new numerical alcohol threshold for dangerous driving offenses on July 21, introducing a clearer standard for cases involving impaired driving that could lead to fatal accidents. The offense of causing death or injury through dangerous driving carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Whether the dangerous driving charge is applied can significantly affect sentencing, and many victims and bereaved families seeking severe punishment have struggled with the uncertainty surrounding such cases. Under the newly introduced numerical standard, a breath alcohol concentration of at least 0.5 milligrams per liter is considered a threshold for dangerous driving. A driving simulator test showed that alcohol can seriously impair driving ability even at concentrations far below the new threshold.