Driving without lights?

Hi
I noticed while riding car and bus that the cars meeting have no light turned on. Is this originating from a typical Japanese behaviour? Even in dusk or cloudy weather when light should be appropriate many seem to skip it.

How come?

As far as my experiences go, people in Japan tend to turn on their headlights a bit later in the evening than let's say US or Europe, though traffic authorities have been sending out messages that a lot of accidents do happen at dusk and that headlights should be used more. And others turn off the headlights at traffic lights, and forget to turn them back on when they restart.

I've noticed it to, and will just add that most Japanese consider the use of lights in their ability to see, not be seen.

That is NOT "illegal" in day time (morning to early evening) as traffic law of Japan.
Now only motorcycles is "illegal" only later(fr 1998 no headlight on/off switch) model.

But that "too late" even "No light" is just depends on each driver's sense.
About 30 years ago "degital speed meter" model cars increased quickly,
http://i.imgur.com/H3qcb4S.jpg
so meter panel always "clear" than "analog" needle type one when dusk/dark/night.
Also if using or used "Auto headlight" model may just forgetting by old custom :/
(Some models will be later than others also not good.)
http://www.jaf.or.jp/eco-safety/safety_light/autolight/
http://www.jaf.or.jp/eco-safety/safety_light/autolightlatterpart/

All Japanese driver license holders know about
"No light-on dark colored cars are more dangerous especially in early evening and bad weather(rain,fog,snow)."
learned at driving school and police license safety class,
but in fact many drivers light-on is too late is correct.

This "bad custom" coming from "bike(cycle)" life.
Now illegal bike riders caught by Police cases a lot,
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/06/29/reference/law-gets-serious...
but they couldn't covered all roads and penalty/fine is still light/low.

Commercial vehicles(bus,truck,taxi) wearing blue or white calling "day-light" a lot.
http://i.imgur.com/X6Jj5Z1.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daytime_running_lamp
But personal/private cars are not so many.