Google Japan decided to take a different strategic approach to Street View to not violate privacy regulations. Instead of the regular Street View car they are now using a bicycle, with a slightly different set up.
the new setup includes:
- the bicycle (trike) with the camera almost half a meter lower than the normal ‘street car setup’.
- a telephone hotline to receive image removal requests (to those who have no way to do so via the Internet. )
- enabling residents to mask their ‘nameplate’
- enabling residents to mask their licence plates (when this has not already done so automatically)
Google Japan has put up a cool video as well 
You can find it after the break!
(via: Asiajin.com )
I don’t think they will get a penalty for this