YUKIO SPINOSA

Nagoya, Aichi Province

Photo: Driver passes by then still to open Starbucks in Dokoji.

After more than 40 years passed since Filipino nationals started emigrating to Japan. Yes, they come here to stay, even though this is not admitted by authorities, overseas workers of the Philippines can finally get their Japanese driver’s license just transferring their documents, as many other foreigners in Japan have been doing, as the Brazilians, Australians, US and European citizens.

It looks like recently, the Filipino government, complying with the Japanese authorities, decided to increase the number of study hours to get the driver’s license and letting their citizens able to transfer it easily to different countries. Below are the procedure and list of documents for Japan.

This article is based on a phone call made to Hirabari Nagoya Transit Office Authority in July, 2023.

As we live at these immediate post pandemic times, is highly recommended calling the Public Transit Authority, the Japanese Menkyo Center and schedule an appointment. You can also go straight, but why not asking their staff about the less crowd days and hours?

For Nagoya, the telephone number is of Hirabari Menkyo Center is 052-801-3211.

In order to apply for a transference you need to bring the following to the Menkyo Center:

1. Your passport with at least three months of stay in Philippines after getting or renewing your Filipino driver’s license, prior for your application in Japan;
2. Your driver’s license itself;
3. Official receipt of payment of your Filipino driver’s license (kouyou reoshuushou – 公用領収証) ;
4. Translation of your Filipino driver’s license made by JAF (Japanese Automobile Federation, for Nagoya the telephone number is 052-872-3684);
5. Juminhyou with your Nationality written on it (Proof of residence in Japan, can be obtained in your city hall);
6. Zairyuu Card (fluid residence card);
7. Payment of JPN 5,400 in fees.
8. Photo that can be taken at the place.
9. Place an appointment through Aichi Police internet website, denshi shinsei (愛知警察電子申請);
10. For more informations, use Chrome browser and Google for ひらばり外国人免許切り替え and translate it to your language of preference.