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@jadias
Officially you need two. I see a few Japanese people rolling brakeless and lots of bikes with only one lever and a coaster brake so I think one is reasonable.
If I lived in Tokyo or Osaka I might be rocking two, however - I think they're a little stricter there since there's a bigger 'fixed scene'.
The only times I'd watch out are at the beginnings of school semesters when there's a traffic cop on every corner looking for people without lights, with earphones in, etc. They MIGHT stop you then. I've seen one or two police checks at night on main streets but they're very easily avoided. I always ride with lights at night, on the right side of the road, obeying traffic laws so I don't seem to attract attention.
When I crashed last month I was picked up off the road by a pair of cops. I only had one brake and my bike had no registration (I'd only owned it for two days and not gotten around to it). They gave me no hassle at all... although maybe they considered a ruined face punishment enough!
I don't think the registration is mandatory but cops apparently get a bit funny if you can't prove a bike is yours so it's worth doing (only costs 500 Yen) in case you are stopped.