For foreign travelers, to drive in Japan, must have a valid driver's license or permit. A valid driver's license or permit to drive in Japan does not depend on the driver's Nationality. It depends on which country the driver's license is issued from and which country the driver resides in. Japan is affiliated with the Geneva Convention but it is not affiliated with the Vienna Convention. Therefore any international driver's permit issued under the Geneva Convention is valid but any international driver's permit issued under the Vienna Convention is not. There are several countries that are affiliated with both the Geneva and Vienna Convention. Therefore you must be cautious of the following countries. Regarding the countries that are able to issue a valid international driver's permit under the Geneva Convention, please refer to the consistent web page. Please note that even though a certain country is affiliated with the Geneva Convention, if the international driver's permit is not issued according to the Geneva Convention, it is not valid.