Japanese Driving Terms Glossary

Gaimen Kirikae

Foreign licence conversion

The process of converting a foreign driving licence to a Japanese one.

Unten Menkyosho

Driving licence

The official Japanese driving licence document.

Futsuu Jidousha

Standard car

Regular passenger vehicle class of driving licence.

Hidarigawa Tsuukou

Left-side traffic

Japan drives on the left side of the road.

Ichiji Teishi

Temporary stop / Stop sign

Come to a complete stop. The Japanese stop sign is an inverted red triangle.

Jokou

Slow down

Reduce speed so you can stop immediately if needed.

Sokudo Seigen

Speed limit

Maximum allowed speed on a road.

Oikoshi

Overtaking

Passing another vehicle. Must be done on the right in Japan.

Chuusha Kinshi

No parking

Parking is prohibited in this area.

Teisha Kinshi

No stopping

Both parking and stopping are prohibited.

Oudan Hodou

Pedestrian crossing

Marked crosswalk where pedestrians have absolute right of way.

Fumikiri

Railroad crossing

Must always stop before crossing in Japan.

Kousoku Douro

Expressway / Highway

Toll roads with minimum speed of 50 km/h and maximum of 100 km/h.

Shoshinsha Mark

Novice driver mark (Wakaba)

Green and yellow leaf shape displayed by first-year drivers.

Koureisha Mark

Elderly driver mark (Momiji)

Four-leaf clover shape displayed by drivers 75+.

Inshu Unten

Drunk driving

Zero tolerance in Japan. Severe penalties for everyone involved.

Shaken

Vehicle inspection

Mandatory periodic vehicle safety inspection in Japan.

Shingouki

Traffic signal / Traffic light

Standard red/yellow/green traffic lights and arrow signals.

Gendouki-tsuki Jitensha

Moped (under 50cc)

Maximum speed 30 km/h regardless of posted speed limit.

Anzen Chitai

Safety zone

Marked area on the road where pedestrians can wait safely.

Rosokutai

Road shoulder / Sidewalk area

Area alongside the road for pedestrian use.

Houkou Shijiki

Turn signal / Indicator

Must signal 30m before turning, 3 seconds before lane change.

Seidou Kyori

Braking distance

Distance traveled after brakes are applied. Quadruples when speed doubles.

Menkyo Teishi

Licence suspension

Temporary suspension of driving privileges for violations.

Menkyo Torikeshi

Licence revocation

Permanent cancellation of driving licence for serious offences.