Recommended for foreigners! How to drive in Japan

Introduction

I'm sure there are some foreigners living in Japan who have to drive a car for work or life.
Of course, it is possible for foreigners to obtain a Japanese driver's Driver's License. However, the Japanese driver's license system differs from other countries in many ways. Also, the best way to obtain a license will vary depending on the purpose and length of your stay in Japan.
In this article, we will review how to obtain a driver's license in Japan.

Can I drive in Japan with a foreign driver's Driver's License?

In conclusion, you cannot drive in Japan just by having a foreign driver's Driver's License. However, there are three ways to drive in Japan with a foreign driver's Driver's License.

●Obtain an international driver's license

International Driving Permits that can be used to drive in Japan are issued based on the Convention on Road Traffic of September 19, 1949 (Geneva Convention).
An international driver's license is valid for one year. You can drive for one year after you land in Japan, but if the international driver's license expires before that, it will become invalid. Even if your international driver's license still has some time left on it, it will become invalid one year after you land in Japan (for those who are not registered in the Basic Resident Register). If you are planning to stay for a long time, it is a good idea to obtain a Japanese driver's Driver's License as soon as possible.
Reference: Period during which you can drive with an international driver's Driver's License

Furthermore, international driving licenses for foreign Driver's License cannot be issued in Japan. Be sure to inquire at the driver's license center or designated agency in the country that issued your license and obtain one before entering Japan.
Reference: Driving in Japan - US Embassy & Consulates in Japan

● Countries where you can drive with a translation attached

If you have a driving Driver's License issued by a country/region that does not issue Geneva Convention style international licenses, but which is defined as being at the same level as Japan, you may drive in Japan if you carry two items: a foreign Driver's License from that country and a "translated text in Japanese".
As of May 2023, the following six countries allow you to drive with a "Japanese translation" attached.

1. Switzerland
2. France
3. Belgium
4. Monaco
5. Germany
6. Taiwan

Reference: How to drive in Japan with a foreign driver's Driver's License issued by government ordinance

●Gaimen-kirikae

I found out that if you have an international driver's license or a driver's license from a special country, you can drive in Japan for about a year as long as you have the necessary documents.
But what if you are staying for more than a year or are planning to emigrate?
The bottom line is that in this case you will need to obtain a "Japanese driver's Driver's License". There are two main ways to obtain a Japanese driver's license.

① Attend a driving school (Driving Camp /commuting license)
2. Go directly to the license center and take the test (one-shot test)

People who originally live in Japan or who have come to Japan without a foreign driver's license must obtain a driver's license using the methods above. However, there is a "third method" that can only be used by people who have a driver's license from a country other than Japan. This is called "Gaimen-Kikae".
With the Gaimen Switch, you can get a Japanese driver's license much easier than getting Driver's License from scratch in Japan. Instead, you need to take a test called "Knowledge Confirmation" at a Japanese license center, which is a test on traffic rules and signs, and a test called "Skill Confirmation" to see if you can drive safely by driving on the course at the license center.
For details on the procedure for switching to a foreign driver's license, please see [ZIPLUS foreign driver's license switching] Foreign driver's license switching procedure.
The good thing about switching to a foreign driver's license is that you will officially get a Japanese driver's license, so the validity period for which you can drive will be longer. It is valid for three years from the date of new acquisition, and if you are a good driver, it will be valid for five years after that.

Reference article: Is it difficult to switch to a foreign license? Thorough explanation of advance preparation such as application conditions and costs

Finally

What did you think? This time, we looked at the three main ways that people with foreign licenses can drive in Japan.
(1) Obtain an international driver's license
(2) Obtain a translation and attach it to your foreign driver's license to drive
(3) Switch your foreign driver's license

Choose the method that suits you and get a fulfilling driving life.