First Female Driver Day

What Is First Female Driver Day?

Every September 27th is "First Female Driver Day" (女性ドライバーの日, Josei Doraibā no Hi) in Japan. On September 27, 1917, Hama Watanabe of Tochigi Prefecture, then 23 years old, passed the driving test and became the first woman in Japan to obtain a driver's license. It happened at a time when cars themselves were still rare and very few people drove for a living.

The Beginnings of Driver's Licenses and the First Woman to Get One

The history of driver's licenses in Japan began in the late Meiji era.

• 1907: The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department introduced the Automobile Control Regulations, under which only licensed drivers could drive in Tokyo. This is considered Japan's first driver's license system for private cars (a license system for commercial shared-ride motor buses had been introduced in Aichi Prefecture in 1903).
• The first license holder: Licenses at the time went mainly to people who drove for work, such as company chauffeurs. The first was Morisada Watanabe, a carriage driver employed by the Mitsui family, and the license itself is said to have been made of wood.
• 1917: Ten years later, Hama Watanabe became the first Japanese woman to obtain a driver's license.

Female Drivers Are Now Part of Everyday Life

Today, it is nothing special for women to hold a driver's license and drive. Female drivers are also active in professional fields such as buses, taxis, and trucks. Regardless of gender, it is important for everyone to drive safely.

Facts About Driving

• The first system covered only Tokyo: The 1907 license system was run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and applied to Tokyo.
• Cars registered in the first year: Only 16 cars are said to have been registered with the police in the first year.
• Driver-assistance technology: In recent years, more cars come with features such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance.
• Another day on the same date: September 27th is also "Bliss Day," established by a maker of car coating products.

Ideas for First Female Driver Day

• Look back on your own driving and review safety points such as following distance and speed.
• Check the expiration date of your license and when your car is due for inspection.
• Make a habit of adjusting your seat and mirrors correctly before driving.
• Read about the history of driving and the pioneers who paved the way.

From One Woman's Challenge to an Era When Anyone Can Drive

September 27th is the day, more than 100 years ago, when a woman first obtained a driver's license in Japan. It is a good day to remember the beginnings of the freedom to drive ourselves wherever we want, and to commit to driving safely.