There’s been a lot of news lately about increased traffic accidents involving foreign drivers in Japan, and that’s prompted some new rules and regulations regarding driving and getting your license. With the aging population, there is also an increase of accidents involving elderly drivers.
Let’s break down some of these confusing new rules and chat about our own experiences driving here and getting our license. We’re also got some listener stories and recent news stories.
Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at conbinicultpod@gmail.com
Frankie - @franklinthewoman
Cheyenne - @lostwithlow
Words mentioned/useful words
Zainichi means “residing in Japan”, but the term has become synonymous with the ethnic Korean population in Japan.
運転免許 unten menkyo - driver’s license
田舎 inaka - countryside
初心者マーク shoshinsha mark - beginner mark (in this case for new drivers)
ウィンカー winkaa - turn signal
Nikkei - Japanese person living abroad
原付 gentsuki - one word for moped or motorbike
まぶしい mabushii - bright (like the sun or the lights)
Kei car - small, lightweight vehicle that is cheaper and offers tax and insurance benefits, but in an accident I (Frankie) personally feel they are not the safest
References/sources:
Foreign drivers in Japan to face tougher license conversion rules from October
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/10/japan/crime-legal/npa-drivers-license-conversion/#:~:text=The%20National%20Police%20Agency%20on,car%20accidents%20by%20such%20drivers
Guide: learning how to drive in Japan
https://mailmate.jp/blog/learning-how-to-drive-in-japan
Japan to bar foreign tourists from converting driver's licenses
Seniors Make Up Over 50 Pct of 2023 Traffic Deaths in Japan
https://sp.m.jiji.com/english/show/33754
Elderly driver who killed 2, injured 9 in 2019 dies in prison
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15524048
Two sisters, aged 5 and 7, killed in bus-car collision in Fukuoka
Photo: https://www.reddit.com/r/japannews/comments/1ev561v/two_sisters_killed_fukuoka_car_accident/
Japanese Drivers Practical Test (Hiroshima) is kicking my ass! Any suggestions appreciated!
(r/Japan 12 years ago)
https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/xqyks/japanese_drivers_practical_test_hiroshima_is/
All cars in Japan to have systems preventing accidents from gas/brake pedal mistakes by 2028
Elderly driver’s panic: https://www.reddit.com/r/WTF/comments/154wtes/japan_elderly_drivers_panic/
2024 marks 3rd-lowest year on record for traffic deaths in Japan
Despite Law, Many in Japan Fail to Belt Up in the Back Seat
Time stamps
00:00 Cheyenne is back
2:47 increased accidents involving foreign drivers
7:10 new regulations/rules for changing your license
11:10 converting your license in Japan/driving test
39:09 driving school
40:48 driving age
42:46 listener stories about driving/getting license
53:56 traffic accidents involving the elderly/ no seatbelt