Accidents raise concern over how Japan vets foreign drivers
At the Samezu Driver's License Center in Tokyo, there used to be dozens of foreign nationals making lines early in the morning to convert their driver's licenses from their home countries to Japanese ones.
They first had to take a written test — places were offered on a first-come-first-served basis, though applicants can now make reservations beforehand — followed by a driving test on another day.
This process is much simpler, and even easier, than getting a driver's license from scratch in Japan, which costs around ¥300,000 ($2,100) and takes months of lessons and practice at a driving school.
Recent motor accidents involving foreign drivers have put a spotlight on just how lax the driver's license conversion system really is, prompting authorities to consider tightening the rules .
In one case, a Chinese man was arrested over an alleged hit-and-run that injured four elementary school boys in Saitama Prefecture. Police suspect the driver had been intoxicated at the time.
In another, a Peruvian man was taken into custody for allegedly driving on the wrong side of the Shin-Meishin Expressway in Mie Prefecture, crashing into multiple vehicles and fleeing the scene.
A review of the National Police Agency's traffic accident data shows that the number of accidents caused by foreign nationals increased from 6,725 in 2015 to 7,286 in 2024 — an 8% rise.
Among the changes being proposed are a more rigorous written test to better assess applicants' knowledge of Japanese traffic laws and a stricter verification of applicants' addresses — requiring a resident registration and barring the use of temporary accommodations.
Keita Ueno, the owner of Kiki Driving School and an instructor who supports both foreign nationals and Japanese citizens returning from abroad in getting their driver's licenses converted, is one of those worried about the current lax system.
'The content they (foreign drivers) learn is only about a third of what Japanese people learn,' Ueno said, adding that he also thinks the driving test is too easy.
'In terms of safety, since the test is only conducted within a closed course, while it does assess driving skills to some extent, I don't think it truly evaluates whether someone can drive safely on actual roads in Japan.'
Ueno also highlighted the language barrier and different norms that exist between countries — traffic signs could carry different meanings, and driving standards might vary significantly. For instance, in some countries, drivers might not yield to ambulances or stop for pedestrians at crosswalks.
The concept of priority roads — in which vehicles on the main road have the right of way — is also often ignored in some countries, with drivers merging without checking — a practice that can lead to accidents, particularly in Japan, where it is strictly observed, he said.
Ueno said his driving school offers a program for students in which they can return after obtaining their licenses for lessons conducted on actual roads, but since it's not mandatory, hardly anyone does it. |
Karin Kaneko
The process of converting a foreign driver's license in Japan is relatively straightforward. Applicants must provide a valid license from their home country, a Japanese translation, a passport, and proof that they have held the license for at least three months in the issuing country. Holders of licenses from some countries are exempted from the driving test.
The written test consists of 10 yes-or-no questions on traffic rules — such as whether drivers in Japan drive on the right side of the road — and applicants must get seven correct answers to pass. The test has a passing rate of 90%.
The driving test, however, is more challenging, with a passing rate of only 26%, according to the Foreign Drivers Support Association.
NPA data shows that foreign license conversions have been on the rise in recent years. Last year, there were 75,905 conversions, a significant leap from the 33,687 recorded in 2015.
The conversion is especially popular among Chinese nationals, with various videos providing tips for passing the tests and explanations on the necessary application forms posted on social media RedNote.
To drive in Japan, either a Japanese driver's license or an international driver's license is required, the latter of which is not issued in countries that include China, Vietnam and Brazil.
For nationals of such countries, converting their driver's licenses into Japanese ones provides them the opportunity to also obtain an international driver's license, which then allows them to drive in other countries as well.
Ueno of Kiki Driving School said he offers a program for his students in which they can return after obtaining their licenses for lessons conducted on actual roads, such as driving together on highways or through the city.
'But since it's not mandatory, and it's not part of the official rules, hardly anyone actually takes up the course,' he admitted, saying that there was only so much he could do.
'As driving schools, we can only operate based on the official rules. Of course, we can privately recommend people do certain things, but like I said earlier, not everyone will follow through,' Ueno said.
'That's why unless the rules themselves change, you won't get everyone to comply. When the rules are revised, we will adjust our programs according to the rules.'
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