Traffic accidents involving foreigners who obtained Japanese driver’s licenses through the conversion system without fully understanding local traffic rules have raised concerns. Critics also pointed out that, unlike many countries that require a period of residence to obtain a license, Japan’s requirements were too lax.
The old system had a loophole that even allowed short-term visitors, such as tourists, to get a Japanese license. That’s now closed, thanks to a new set of rules.
Loopholes in the old system
Applicants for a Japanese driver’s license were required to submit a copy of their residence certificate (住民票; juuminhyou) as proof of address. However, under the old system, some foreign tourists found a loophole.
By asking their hotels to issue a Temporary Leave Permit (一時帰国証明書; ichiji kikoku shōmeisho), which certifies that the bearer resides at a given address in Japan, they were able to bypass the residency requirement. Some hotels, such as Business in Grandeur in Fuchu, Tokyo, even provided the document for free.
The permit was originally intended for Japanese citizens living overseas. However, many Chinese tourists used it to obtain a Japanese driver’s license.
China isn’t a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on international driving. That means Chinese drivers can’t use the international licensing system. Japan is, which means that obtaining a Japanese driver’s license gives Chinese tourists a valid license for use in 101 countries worldwide.
The process required only a short written exam of 10 questions, available in Mandarin and 23 other languages. Applicants needed just seven correct answers to pass.
Surge in foreign license conversions—and accidents
In 2024, about 68,000 foreigners converted their licenses in Japan, more than double the number in 2015. The largest group came from Vietnam with around 16,000 conversions, followed by China and South Korea.
The conversion system was also criticized for being too lenient. The written test was simple, and even short-term tourists could easily convert their licenses.
Some in Japan’s government said they didn’t see any issues related to the lax licensing. However, after a growing public outcry, the government backtracked and vowed to tighten regulations.
To close these loopholes, Japan revised the enforcement regulations of the Road Traffic Act, which took effect on the first of this month. All applicants, regardless of nationality, must now submit a copy of their residence certificate (住民票; jūminhyō). This means short-term visitors without residency registration are no longer eligible.
The written exam, previously a 10-question multiple-choice test with illustrations, now consists of 50 questions with no illustrations. The passing score has increased from 70 to 90 percent, making the test much more difficult.
The practical driving test has also become stricter. The government has added new checkpoints such as pedestrian crossings and tightening grading on turns, signaling, and other driving behavior.
Accidents involving foreign license holders
Officials say the tightening also reflects growing concern over safety incidents involving foreign license holders. In May, police arrested a Chinese man arrested for a hit-and-run in Misato, Saitama Prefecture. Cops also apprehended a Peruvian man who drove the wrong way on the Shin-Meishin Expressway in Kameyama, Mie Prefecture. Both were license holders through this system.
The new regulations aim to improve road safety and restore trust in Japan’s licensing system by ensuring that only qualified drivers with a real understanding of traffic rules are allowed on the road.
The change will have no impact on foreign residents from one of the 24 countries and seven US states that are exempt from taking the written and practical driving tests.
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Sources
外国人の運転免許切り替え、1日から厳格運用 訪日観光客は認めず 日本経済新聞
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