Japan Eyes Tighter Rules for Foreign Driver's License Conversions

Proposed changes could impact the ease with which foreign nationals convert their licenses to Japanese ones.

Recent developments suggest that the Japanese government is contemplating stricter regulations concerning the conversion of foreign driver's licenses to Japanese licenses. This potential shift comes in response to an observed trend where individuals, notably from China, are utilizing tourist visas to obtain Japanese driver's licenses.

The underlying motivation for this practice stems from international driving permit agreements. Japan boasts a more extensive network of such agreements compared to China. Consequently, it's often more convenient for Chinese nationals to acquire a Japanese driver's license and subsequently convert it into an international driving permit when traveling to a third country.

The current process for converting a foreign license to a Japanese one has been perceived as relatively straightforward. The procedure typically involves a brief test, a stark contrast to the more rigorous and often challenging examination that Japanese citizens undergo to obtain their licenses. This ease of conversion, coupled with the affordability of travel due to the low yen, has contributed to the growing interest in this practice.