TOKYO, Dec 30 (News On Japan) –
Foreign vacationers in Japan have exceeded 30 million this yr, marking a report excessive. Among them, many are flocking to driver’s license facilities throughout the nation.
Early one morning at round 6 a.m., a line of roughly 30 individuals shaped exterior the Samezu Driver’s License Testing Center in Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward. Over 90% of these in line had been foreigners. Why are so many queuing so early?
A customer from Hong Kong stated, “I’m here to convert my license.”
An Egyptian nationwide added, “I want to switch my Egyptian license to a Japanese one.”
These guests are in search of to transform their international driver’s licenses to Japanese ones, a course of often called “gaimen kirikae” (international license conversion). By passing two checks—a written examination and a driving expertise check—candidates can get hold of a Japanese driver’s license.
While the driving check has a move charge of about 30%, the written examination is comparatively simple.
A Vietnamese applicant stated, “The questions are simple, like what to do when you see a stop sign.”
A customer from Hong Kong famous, “It’s just basic questions about road signs, like what each one means.”
Automobile journalist Kumiko Kato defined, “The written test for foreign license conversion is simpler compared to the tricky questions often seen in Japan’s standard licensing exam. It’s straightforward and easy.”
The check consists of about 10 true-or-false questions, and candidates have to reply no less than 7 appropriately to move.
The recognition of Japanese licenses is basically as a result of their broad utility. According to Kato, “Because Japan is a member of the Geneva Convention, a Japanese-issued international driver’s license allows holders to drive in nearly 100 countries.”
In distinction, international locations like China and Vietnam, which aren’t signatories to the Geneva Convention, solely enable worldwide licenses legitimate in about 10 international locations.
The demand for Japanese licenses has fueled the rise of specialised excursions, particularly amongst Chinese vacationers. On Chinese social media, info spreads about how “obtaining a Japanese license is easy and cost-effective.” Tours providing help with license conversions are being marketed, with companies priced at an upfront price of 4,500 yuan (round 90,000 yen).
As of November, Japan recorded an all-time excessive of roughly 33 million international guests. With plans to loosen up visa necessities for Chinese vacationers, the variety of guests coming particularly for license conversions is anticipated to develop.
However, issues are mounting. A photograph of a Japanese license obtained through a international conversion confirmed a resort handle listed within the residence discipline.
Kato commented, “Some people on tourist visas use hotel addresses to meet the residency requirement.”
This raises questions concerning the accuracy of candidates’ residency info. The National Police Agency issued a press release saying, “We will continue to monitor accident trends and review the policies surrounding foreign license conversions as needed.”
Accidents involving international drivers are on the rise. If the variety of international license conversions continues to extend, consultants warn that accidents might climb additional.
Kato urged, “I hope applicants study Japan’s traffic laws, unique road rules, and driving etiquette to ensure safety.”
Source: ANN