From 1 October 2025, Japan’s foreign driver’s license conversion process (gaimen kirikae) becomes stricter. At the same time, many long-term residents overlook a separate rule: driving in Japan with an International Driving Permit (IDP) or certain foreign licenses is generally allowed only for 1 year from the date you land in Japan. Plan early to avoid a “license gap” in year two.
For Nikkei 3sei Long-Term Resident visa applications, it is not enough to simply state Japanese ancestry. The family relationship from Japanese grandparents to the parent and the applicant must be proven with consistent official documents such as koseki, birth certificates, marriage certificates and translations.
Learn how to move from SSW No. 1 to SSW No. 2 in Japan. This October 2026 guide explains eligible fields, exams, work experience, Japanese-language requirements, employer compliance and family accompaniment. Five years under SSW1 does not create an automatic transition.
