Driver's License・Medical Insurance

In order to drive a car in Japan, an International Driver's License or a Japanese Driver's License is necessary. If you can get an international driver's license which the member nation of the Geneva Convention agreement of 1949 publishes in your country. The International Driver's license is valid in Japan for one year from the date of the holder's initial enter to Japan or the date of expiration, whichever comes first. Between the countries Japan has an agreement with, you could obtain a Japanese Drivers License if you have a valid driver's license of your country. You need to bring an official translation of the driver's license, and you must go through some tests on physical fitness for driving, test on traffic laws and actual driving tests sometimes.

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If you hold an  　International 　driving permit 　(IDP)	*1. If you hold a valid 　driver's license of 　Switzerland, Slovenia,  　Germany, France, 　Belgium, Monaco or 　Taiwan.	Drive with a Japanese Driver’s License
		If you hold a foreign 　country’s driver's 　license except*1	If you do not hold a 　foreign country’s 　driver's license or  　Japanese one.
Please read　No.	Please read No.	Please read No.-1	Please read No.-2

　　 Drive with your country’s driver's license with an official translation to Japanese.

　　・Foreign driver's license issued in Switzerland, Slovenia, Germany, France, Belgium, Monaco or
　　　Taiwan is valid in Japan. However, you must hold your country’s driver’s license with an official
　　　translation to Japanese from your foreign driver's license, as you drive. A translation of your
　　　foreign driver's license will be prepared by the embassy of your country or JAF(Japan Automobile
　　　Federation).
　　・It is valid for one year from your arrival date in Japan..

　　 Drive with a Japanese Driver’s License

　　3-1. If you hold a foreign country’s driver's license　
　　　　　→ Exchange a Home country’s driver's license to Japanese one,”Gaimen Kirikae", Pleases read
　　　　　　“Gaimen-kirikae”

　　3-2. If you do not hold a foreign country’s driver's license.　
　　　　　→ After learning a Japanese traffic regulation and driving skills, you need to a pass written test
　　　　　　and driving skills test at Mito Driver’s License Center to get it.

　It is a important note, if you are going to drive a car in Japan (PDF)

　More Detail:

　 Application form for Japanese Translation of foreign driver’s license（JAF)　＜English cpdf >

　 Regarding the start of English written tests :
　　When you take the written examination in English, apply at the reception counter.　 　
　　Please visit the Ibaraki Police website to see more information:
　　　　　　　http://www.pref.ibaraki.jp/kenkei/a03_license/info/english.html

Cost for medical care is rather high. Coverage by medical insurance in your own country may or may not be sufficient to pay hospital bills in Japan. If you should be staying in Japan for more than one year, you are obligated to join the National Health Insurance Plan under government supervision. This insurance, however, covers only up to 70% for the head of household, 60% for the remaining family members. if you can take care of the difference (30% or 40%) in some way, fine. If not, or if you will not be staying in Japan for longer than one year, it is recommendable that you will also enroll in a private health insurance plan in Japan to take cate of the difference. If you want to use health insurance coverage of your country, make sure that it can fully cover the Japanese medical cost.