Rental-car safety measures near Naha Airport: check that you keep left
2026-11-09 · CATALINA JAPAN
On November 6, the Okinawa General Bureau announced a phased rollout of safety guidance for overseas rental-car drivers near Naha Airport, starting in November 2026. These are road improvements and reminders, not new traffic laws.
What the announcement covers
The main routes run from the airport-area rental-car cluster towards Tomigusuku-Nakachi Interchange and Kumoji Intersection, including National Routes 331 and 58. Planned measures include keep-left reminders, road markings showing right-turn paths and signs guiding drivers towards expressway entrances. The announcement does not mean work is already complete at every location.
Reminders on the road and at pickup
Okinawa Prefectural Police, the bureau’s transport department and the Okinawa Rent-a-Car Association will cooperate on traffic-rule leaflets and related guidance. The Okinawa Yuimaru Project will also use in-vehicle multimedia displays and voice alerts. This does not mean every rental car has these features.
Your first 30 minutes: our suggested checklist
Before leaving: ask staff about vehicle controls, your route and Japanese traffic rules, and set your navigation. As you set off: keep left and follow local signs and markings. After turning right: check that you have entered the correct left-hand lane. Before an expressway entrance: identify it early; if unsure, do not change lanes abruptly or reverse. Recheck your route at a safe place where parking is permitted. Stop safely before checking your phone or changing navigation settings.
Plan your transport ahead
If you are unfamiliar with driving on the left or prefer not to drive, ask about rental-car or transfer options while planning your trip. Arrangements depend on individual availability checks.
Official source: 沖縄総合事務局 · 2026-11-06