In New Zealand, in the past, if you held a driver's licence issued in the United States, Europe, Australia, Canada, or South Africa, you did not need to take practical test. But if you held a driver's licence issued in Japan, you had to take practical test.
I lodged a complaint on this matter at the Human Rights Commission on 16 December 2004. This matter was reported by the Dominion Post on 18 December 2004. After pushing this matter through the Human Rights Commission, finally the Crown Law Office responded. The matter was not settled. Later, the relevant law changed. I was notified about the law change from Hon Harry Duynhoven, then Minister of Transport in July 2007.
This matter was published in GekkanNZ in September 2007. The Japanese Government started negotiating with the New Zealand Government, and there were several exchanges. Finally, the matter was resolved.
The exemption of the driver's licence tests for those who hold Japanese driver's licences was included in the regulation published in December 2008.
The exemption of the driver's licence tests for Japanese drivers was reported in several Japanese-language publications in New Zealand, including GekkanNZ in March 2009.
From 1 April 2009, holders of Japanese driver's licence will not have to take any test (both written and practical) to receive New Zealand driver's licences.
Driver's licence discrimination against the Japanese has ended.