This concerns active duty service members retiring in Japan but DO NOT have a SOFA sponsored employment.

Unless a service member already has a SOFA sponsored employment secured, the moment he/she signs his/her DD-214, the USFJ operator's permit (USFJ form 4EJ) that he/she has been using while on active duty becomes invalid.

Contrary to popular belief, the USFJ form 4EJ is NOT a Japanese driver's license. It is a document that identifies the bearer as a SOFA driver in Japan and that authorizes the bearer to drive in Japan while in a SOFA status. Not the same.

To be able to continue driving in Japan legally after retirement, the easiest way is to get an international driver's license from the State in which your driver's license was issued.

Be aware, however, that the Base does not recognize international driver's licenses (at least so was I told). One cannot drive, register a car on base or even get a job as a base Taxi driver with an international or state driver's license. A Japanese Driver's license is required.

Getting a Japanese driver's license is not complicated but it is quite a time-consuming process. Those who are thinking about retiring in Japan should get an international driver's license before their retirement date so that they can, at least, still drive in Japan off-base while going through the process of getting a Japanese driver's license. Otherwise, look at being on foot for two months.

Citizens of the USA, UK or France are in luck because Japan has signed an accord with these countries that makes it possible to simply exchange the license issued in their country for a Japanese license. NO WRITTEN OR PRACTICAL TESTS required. However, there are a few requirements discussed below.

to make the process easier, follow these steps

1) Before retiring:

a. 90 days prior, complete the CNFJINST 1910.1 (series). checklist to obtain permission to separate in Japan. Without authorization, you will not be able to get a visa from Japanese Immigration upon retirement to be able to reside in Japan). The process is really easy for those whose spouse is a Japanese National (the case of over 90% of those who are retiring in Japan).

b. Get an International Driver's license next time you are visiting home. These are good for up to three years.

2) Upon retirement:

a. Within 30 days after retirement, you must go to the Japanese Immigration Center (located in Kanazawa Hakkei for those living in the Kanto area) to get your passport stamped with a visa (currently good for three years). This process last about 20 minutes depending on how crowded it is there. Do it ON THE DAY you retire or as soon as possible. Without that visa, you cannot complete step b. below.

b. Apply for a Japanese Foreign Residence Card (GAIKOKUJIN TOROKU) at the city office of the city you will reside in. You must show your passport with the visa stamped by Japanese Immigration to do this. It takes 20 minutes to apply but you will have to wait 2-3 weeks to receive the card.

Without this card, you cannot apply for a Japanese driver's license but, while you are waiting for the card to arrive, you can at least work on gathering the other required documents. Below is a list of the other documents you will need:

1. Current driver's license issued by country/State of origin.

2. A Japanese translation of the driver's license issued or certified by the consulate, embassy or the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF).

3. Copy of records from the license authority of your State of residence.

4. Certified Japanese translation of the above records.

5. Current passport.

6. Proof that you resided in the country/State in which your driver's license was issued for a period of AT LEAST THREE MONTHS after the date the driver's license was issued.

This can be done by showing old passports.

If you do not have your old passports, anything from the City Hall of your hometown (certified Japanese translation must be provided) that can provide proof of residence.

For those who got their driver's license while in High School or College, a certificate of enrollement showing start and end dates (certified Japanese translation must be provided) will work as well.

7. One Photograph, taken within the last 6 months, hatless, no background and showing one third of the upper body, size 3cm X 2.4 cm. There are machines at the driver's license center. Get your picture done there.

8. If you normally use corrective lenses, bring them.

C. Once you have received your GAIKOKUJIN TOROKU card, take everything to the foreign driver's license desk at the Driver's License Center in Futamatagawa (for those living in Kanagawa) - don't forget to get your picture taken once you get there - and you should be able to get a Japanese driver's license issued to you.

Useful link:
http://www.pref.kanagawa.jp/osirase...eng.html#4

Would like to point out that once you receive your VISA from the Japanese Immigration office (stamped in your passport) the International Driver's License can no longer be used in Japan. They have a law that does not allow legal residents to use an International Driver's License, but it is valid until you get your VISA. So my personal recommendation is to complete all the Paperwork for the driver's license prior to your final visit to the Immigration office. They send you a post card when your VISA is approved and ready for you anyway so just wait until you get that and hold it until your paperwork is complete for the Japanese Driver's License. Go immediately to the City Hall serving your residence and apply for the resident's card as this takes around five days to receive it... So if you follow the laws of the land you will be without a legal ability to drive for those five days.

Good info. I think things must have changed a bit since I retired in 2003. I did the thick package of paper work from CNFJ and brought it to the immigration office in Yokohama. The guy behind the desk looked at it as if he had no idea what I had just given him. He asked me "Are you trying to get a visa to stay in Japan?" I said yes. He took my paperwork, pulled out my wife's Koseki Tohan and Juminhyo then threw the rest in the trash. He handed me a one sheet document for a spouse/dependant visa. I filled it out, gave it to him, he attached the Koseki Tohan and Juminhyo to it and then stamped my passport "Applied For" A few weeks later I got a notice in the mail to come back to Yokohama for the official VISA stamp.

He handed me a one sheet document for a spouse/dependant visa. I filled it out, gave it to him, he attached the Koseki Tohan and Juminhyo to it and then stamped my passport "Applied For" A few weeks later I got a notice in the mail to come back to Yokohama for the official VISA stamp.

That seemed easy...