English
日本語Driving
In Japan, they drive on the left. Traffic lights cycle from Green to Yellow and to Red. It is very important to recognize that drunk driving is strictly prohibited in Japan. Not only drunk drivers but also those who provide alcoholic beverages to potential drivers or vehicles to drunk drivers face stiff penalties. Police can stop your car at roadside and ask you to take a breath-analyzer test, which you cannot refuse. Criteria for drunk driving is 0.15mg of alcohol in one litter breath, corresponding to 0.03% blood alcohol content . Please note that you can lose your IPMU job if you are arrested by drunk driving.
Foreigners can drive in Japan with a recognized international driving permit for up to one year after entering the country. International driving licenses must be obtained in your home country. Please inquire your local authorities before you leave for Japan if you indend to drive in Japan.
A Japanese driving license is required for all foreign drivers in Japan for more than one year (note that this rule is relatively new, since 2002). Only if you leave Japan for more than three consecutive months, are you again allowed to use an international driving permit in Japan for up to one year.
When you are staying in Japan longer than one year, you must obtain a Japanese license. It is best that you do so by converting your license into Japanese one. This can be done without taking a written or practical exam if your license is issued from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Korea. All you need is go to the local license center with an official translation of your license, take an eye test and prove that, after obtaining your license, you have lived at least three months in the country where your license had been issued. Others including the United States, China, India, and Russia will have to take a written and practical exam in order to obtain a Japanese driving license.