Coming from the UK it was a simple matter of filling in paper work, getting translations of my UK licence and waiting 3 hours.
No test no questions asked.

I do agree that for test purposes that you should inspect your car before driving it away.

Japan loves to issue licences for almost anything. You will need to take a different test if you want to tow a trailer ect.

Also in the UK it is your right to sail a boat, but in Japan you need a licence to take any craft on the water!

well, we still need to do an eye check, right?
and i guess u didn't go to the centre with a arm in a cast. took me a good 45 min to persuade a lady that it would not impair my driving ability once the cast was off. it seemed she was set in having that on my driving license. but, yes, apart from that it was most likely easier than having to do the real thing.

I wish all countries were as strict as Japan when it comes to issuing drivers licenses, it would keep a lot of people who should not be driving off of the roads. In America you need only pay $10 or so, take a one-page written test, and a 5 minute driving test; as a result, you end up with streets full of incompetent drivers. I'm not saying that Japanese drivers are all that skillful, but at least the driving schools and licensing system in Japan encourage one to be serious and safe when behind the wheel.

I had no driving test at all to get my TX license...

Instead I spent the entire summer of my 15th year, three months, going to driving school. I had to present proof at least 90 hours under instruction, as well as about twice that in classroom instruction.

I earned my license, thanks. :P