Japan to tighten license conversion rules for foreign drivers

Move follows rise in accidents involving foreign drivers, police commissioner says

20250522N Osaka road

A road in Osaka. Some lawmakers have criticized the current process for switching to a Japanese driver's license as "too easy."(Photo by Nikkei)

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's National Police Agency said Thursday it will review rules to switch driver's licenses from other countries to Japanese ones following a recent series of accidents by foreign drivers.

The agency plans to require those seeking to switch to a Japanese driver's license to submit a copy of their residence certificate in Japan as a standard requirement while also considering increasing the number of questions on the knowledge test.

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