The type of driver's license required to drive in Japan does not depend on the driver's nationality (passport country). It is determined by the country that issued the driver's license and the country of residence of the driver.
1.For holders of licenses from countries that are signatories to the Geneva Convention (USA, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore... and about 180 other countries)
You will need to present your passport and an international driving permit. You can drive for the shorter of either the "valid period of the international driving permit (one year from issuance)" or "one year from the date of entry into Japan" (*1). (*1) Confirmed by the entry stamp in your passport. Driving with an international driving permit based on the Paris Convention (1926), Washington Convention (1943), or Vienna Convention (1968) is not permitted in Japan. For more details, please check the official websites of the respective countries.
Parties to the 1949 Geneva Convention
Asia
Philippines
India
Thailand
Bangladesh
Malaysia
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Cambodia
Laos
South Korea
Middle East
Turkey
Israel
Syria
Cyprus
Jordan
Lebanon
United Arab Emirates
Africa
South Africa
Central African Republic
Egypt
Ghana
Algeria
Morocco
Botswana
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Republic of the Congo
Benin
Ivory Coast
Lesotho
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Niger
Rwanda
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Togo
Tunisia
Uganda
Zimbabwe
Namibia
Burkina Faso
Nigeria
Europe
United Kingdom
Greece
Norway
Denmark
Sweden
Netherlands
France
Italy
Russia
Serbia
Montenegro
Spain
Finland
Portugal
Austria
Belgium
Poland
Ireland
Hungary
Romania
Iceland
Bulgaria
Malta
Albania
Luxembourg
Monaco
San Marino
Vatican City
Kyrgyzstan
Georgia
Czech Republic
Slovakia
America
United States
Canada
Peru
Cuba
Ecuador
Argentina
Chile
Paraguay
Barbados
Dominican Republic
Guatemala
Haiti
Trinidad and Tobago
Venezuela
Jamaica
Oceania
New Zealand
Fiji
Australia
Papua New Guinea
Special Administrative Region
Hong Kong
Macau
2.For holders of licenses from Taiwan, Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, and Monaco
You will need to present your national driver's license, a Japanese translation of your license, and your passport. The valid period is the shorter of either "one year from the date of entry into Japan" or "the validity period of your national driver's license."
For Taiwanese Nationals A Japanese translation of your license can be easily obtained at the Taiwan Transportation Bureau. The bureau has offices in Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, Hsinchu, Chiayi, and other locations in Taiwan. For more details, please visit the following website: https://www.koryu.or.jp/tw/faq/tabid1185.html
