When you apply for a visa to stay in Japan, you must reveal whether you have a criminal record. The application form says “Including dispositions due to traffic violations, etc”.
I have recently discussed the matter with an immigration officer and argued a bit.
There are roughly two kinds of traffic tickets in Japan.
A “Red Ticket” is issued for a heavy violation. The case goes to the court, and the driver will have a criminal record if the driver is found guilty.
On the other hand, a “Blue Ticket” is issued for lighter violations such as parking. A certain amount of points are subtracted when a Blue Ticket is issued, and when 6 points are subtracted in total, the driver is suspended.
The subtracted points are given back a year after the violation if the driver does not get another ticket.
My point is, since the subtracted point is given back to the driver if the driver ever remains guiltless for one year, the visa applicant should be allowed to mark “no” if the applicant managed to drive without any more traffic ticket for one year as long as that violation did not turn out to be a serious crime, but the Immigration Bureau takes into account whether the applicant has ever violated before, and no matter how light or how long the violation took place means nothing. This sounds harsh, but the applicant must mark “yes” as long as the applicant has gotten a traffic ticket before.