Changes coming to driver's license issuing for foreigners

Earlier this year, BigFamJapan wrote an interesting blog about the ease of people from abroad exchanging driver's licenses here -- the requirement isn't even that you're a resident of Japan at present. I wasn't aware of it until reading that blog, and I was pretty shocked by how lax things are, but it looks like now the government is taking steps to tighten that up for foreign nationals.

Image created via Canva

As is often the case, it has taken a couple of serious incidents for this push for change to happen. The article I linked above notes two recent cases: one involved two Chinese men in an alleged hit-and-run that injured four elementary school boys near Tokyo, and alcohol also played a factor. The second incident involved a Peruvian man who allegedly drove his car the wrong way on an expressway, ending up in a multi-vehicle collision and injuries to four women.

It's a good reminder that if you are planning to take to the roads during your time here, that knowing the road rules is essential. Depending on where you come from, there might be some pretty massive differences (e.g. driving on the complete opposite side of the road, or two-way roads that are barely bike-path width). Because of that, I think if it's not an absolute must for you to have a vehicle, it can be easier and safer to just rely on public transport.