From 1 October 2025, Japan’s foreign driver’s license conversion process (gaimen kirikae) becomes stricter. At the same time, many long-term residents overlook a separate rule: driving in Japan with an International Driving Permit (IDP) or certain foreign licenses is generally allowed only for 1 year from the date you land in Japan. Plan early to avoid a “license gap” in year two.
A practical, attorney-style guide to the Nikkei 3rd-generation visa (Long-Term Resident/Teijusha): eligibility logic, required documents, a final pre-submission checklist, and a country-by-country trend ranking based on official statistics.
This article explains the practical roadmap from Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 to No. 2, including eligible fields, exams, skilled work experience, employment contracts, employer compliance, family accompaniment, and long-term retention planning in Japan.
Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa program is undergoing major changes, including industry expansion and the promotion of SSW Type 2. This article explains the latest updates for 2025–2026, key compliance points, and practical insights for employers and foreign workers.
