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Japan drivers’ license pact expanded

Taiwan and Japan yesterday announced an expanded agreement allowing individuals who have a valid Taiwanese or Japanese driver’s license for more than three months to apply for a reciprocal license regardless of how long they plan to stay in Taiwan or Japan.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign and Affairs and Japan’s Interchange Association said that under the new agreement, individuals can apply for such licenses even if they are planning to stay long term.

“It is not required that the applicant be a Taiwanese resident. As long as he or she has a valid Taiwanese license for more than three months, he or she will be qualified to apply for a Japanese driver’s license,” said Naohiro Tsutsumi, director-general of the Taipei Office of the Interchange Association.

Qualified applicants will be exempt from taking the standard written and road tests but must pass a physical exam.

In the old agreement signed last September, the privilege was only extended to those planning to stay in the country for a short period of time, including tourists and businesspeople.

Under the new agreement, long-term residents such as students and expatriates will also be eligible to apply for a license.

Taiwanese drivers who are interested in the service must first have their driver’s license translated into Japanese at a local motor vehicle office.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrew Hsia (夏立言) said the agreement was a demonstration of the “strong friendship between Taiwan and Japan.”

Taiwan is the fourth Asian country to sign such a deal with Japan. In June, Taiwan and the provincial government of Quebec also agreed to mutually recognize each other’s drivers’ licenses.

A list of countries and cities that recognize Taiwanese licenses is at www.thb.gov.tw/main_03.htm.
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