Short-term Driving Available via International Driving Permit (Geneva Convention signatory countries) or
Mutual Recognition Systems with Certain Countries
Entered on Tourist Visa, Staying Short-term at Hotels
Cannot Convert Foreign License to Japanese License
Japan''s National Police Agency announced that from October 1, submission of a "juminhyo" (resident registration certificate) will be mandated for the foreign driver''s license conversion procedure — making conversion completely impossible for tourists and other short-term foreign visitors. The police cite safety enhancement, but significant ripples are expected in the transportation, tourism industry, and foreign resident community.
From this revision, submission of a juminhyo copy proving Japanese domestic address becomes mandatory, making license conversion impossible for tourists without juminhyo. The written exam is also significantly strengthened: from 10 to 50 questions, with the passing threshold raised from 70% to 90% correct. This measure was confirmed after public comment from July 11 to August 9 (681 submissions received, majority in favor citing "necessary for improving system credibility").
Tourists can only drive short-term through international driving permits (Geneva Convention signatory countries) or mutual recognition systems with certain countries. The method of converting foreign licenses to Japanese licenses while staying at hotels is no longer permitted. The background: the system was originally for convenience of non-Geneva Convention member country nationals, but tourist abuse increased. Traffic fatalities and serious injuries by foreign drivers exceeded 2% of the total in the first half of 2025 — a record high. Mandatory juminhyo submission and exam strengthening are interpreted as credibility-ensuring measures to "make conversion possible only for actual residents."
Controversy is unavoidable: working holiday participants and short-term workers may find this excessive. Tourism industry concerns arise particularly in regions like Hokkaido and Okinawa where car travel is essential. Internationally, Japan''s move could be evaluated as "belated adjustment" — Korea and Taiwan already don''t allow tourists to convert licenses (only international driving permits recognized), with some European countries also requiring residence registration. Short-term: rental car industry may suffer temporary damage. Medium-term: exam difficulty increase expected to improve foreign drivers'' traffic rule comprehension. Long-term: how to establish multicultural coexistence norms including traffic safety in Japan''s growing foreign population will become an important challenge.
