Switzerland

Summary
Name Switzerland
Note A driver's license issued from Switzerland with a Japanese translation from JAF, or the Embassy of Switzerland in Japan it is valid to drive in Japan.On the other hand, the international driving permit (IDP) issued from Switzerland is not valid to drive in Japan.
I will explain if anybody who has the driver's license issued by Switzerland is allowed to drive in Japan.

Yes, with a driver's license issued from Switzerland and a Japanese translation from JAF or the Embassy of Switzerland in Japan, it is valid to drive in Japan.

To drive a vehicle legally in Japan, you will need a driver's license. The necessary documentation needed to issue a deriver's license does not depend on the driver's Nationality but depends on which country the driver's license is issued from and which country the driver resides in.

Unfortunately, any international driving permit (IDP) issued by Switzerland is not valid to drive in Japan.

But with a driver's license issued from Switzerland and a Japanese translation from JAF, or the Embassy of Switzerland in Japan it is valid to drive in Japan.

Unfortunately, As of 2017 presently, the embassy of Switzerland in Japan does not issue the Japanese translation for travelers.

There is no official expiration date for the translation, but it must be paired with a valid driver’s license from your residential country and with in 1 year from the arrival date in Japan.

All Japanese translation from JAF is only possible to obtain in Japan, therefore if you would like to have a translation before you arrive in Japan, you will need a third party to obtain it for you.

Possible third party to obtain Japanese translation
(1)JAF Overseas Support
(2)The embassy of Switzerland in Japan

Unfortunately, As of 2017 presently, the embassy of Switzerland in Japan does not issue the Japanese translation for travelers.

Switzerland is affiliated with 1968 Vienna Convention. Japan is not affiliated with the 1968 Vienna Convention.
Any international driving permit (IDP) issued under the 1969 Vienna Convention is not valid to drive in Japan.

Japan is only affiliated with the 1949 Geneva Convention, therefore the international driving permit (IDP) issued under the 1949 Geneva Convention is only valid to drive in Japan.

However, Switzerland is not affiliated with 1949 Geneva Convention, therefor Switzerland cannot issue any International Driving Permit(IDP) valid in Japan.

In the future, if Switzerland affiliates under the 1949 Geneva Convention, the international driving permit (IDP) under the 1949 Geneva Convention in the proper format and issued by the respectable government branch or assigned agent will be valid to drive in Japan.



On the internet, you may come across a fake international driver's license that is presented as if it is valid to drive in Japan.
These fake international driver's license is not valid to drive in Japan.
For more information regarding fake international driver's license please click here.