Driving
in Fukushima
In this guide, you will find essential information on driving
in Fukushima, including getting a license,
purchasing
a car, and traffic laws and road signs.
Getting your license
International Driving Permit (IDP):
In order to drive in Japan, you will need an IDP from your home country. The
only way to get an IDP is through the national Automobile Association. [*
Beware of internet frauds where IDPs cost around 30,000 yen!!! It shouldn’t
cost more than 2,000 yen in ANY country. Also, beware if it says, “International
Driver’s License.” There is no such thing.*].
IMPORTANT: Your IDP is valid for one year from your date of entry into Japan
or the IDP date of issue, whichever comes first. It always needs to be accompanied
by your driver’s license from your home country (must be valid). It is recommended
that you apply for a Japanese Driver’s license well before it is due to expire,
especially if you are American or South African because the process takes a
while. If you are caught with an expired IDP, you will be heavily fined and
will loose all driving privileges in Japan.
For information on getting a Japanese driver’s license, go to:
www.yesicanusechopsticks.com
( click: Goals & Japanese driver’s license-story)
Getting a car
Buying a Car:
The safest and easiest way to purchase a car is through a dealership. When
vehicles are purchased through a dealership, all aplicable taxes are usually
included in the price, and all accompanying paperwork will be done for you
on your behalf for a small fee. When buying a car, you must make an upfront
deposit, followed by small monthly payments and a final payment at the end.
It is a good idea to purchase a car (as opposed to leasing) if you want to
take the car home with you at the end of your time in Japan. Many times, the
cars are much cheaper then you would pay for the same vehicle in your home
country (around two-thirds of the price). Also, the interest rate in Japan
is practically zero,making sending your cars home a very profitable choice.
Parking:
In order to own a car, you have to prove to the police that you own or rent
a parking spot. This form is called "Shako Shoumei." Parking prices
differ everywhere so before you buy a car, make sure that 1) you have a spot
and 2) it is affordable. Note: Even though it may look like there is plenty
of parking in your lot, they could mysteriously all be rented even though there
are never any cars in them. Find out BEFORE you get a car as you may have to
get on a waiting list for parking.
Registration:
When you buy a car, the registration has to be changed to your
name. If you buy a kei-car, it is quite easy and cheap (around 5,000
yen). If you buy a full-sized car, it is necessary to have a personal
seal (inkan/hanko) which is registered at town hall. To register your
hanko, you will need to go to the city hall and pay about 300 yen. Once
your hanko is registered, you are set for your entire stay in Japan…unless
you lose it!!
You will need the "proof of hanko" form (inkan shoumei) from town
hall for your registration. Whoever is doing the paperwork may charge around
20,000 yen for various costs. The car acquisition tax (jidosha shutoku zei)
is also paid when you register a brand-new car. Kei-cars are charged 3% of
the price and full-sized cars are charged 5% of the price.
Checklist for registering a car in Japan:
Once you have your car picked out, you will need to:
-Obtain and IDP or Japanese Driver’s License if you don’t already have one.
-Have your hanko registered at your town hall (for full-sized cars).
-Get parking forms from the police station, fill them out, and get them back.
-Take these forms and two other registration forms to the Inspection Registration
Office (Kensa Toroku Jimusho). This will take a while and you will need to
go to a few different desks to get this accomplished. Your supervisor should
be able to help.
-At this point, the car will be registered in your name and you should have
a new shaken certificate when you leave.
Note: This is for buying a car from an individual. A dealership will take care
of most, if not all of this, for you.
Shaken-Inspection:
By Japanese law, cars must be inspected once every two years. Be prepared to
pay between 60,000-200,000 yen for inspections. Kei- cars will be towards the
lower end of this range, and full sized cars will be towards the higher end.
This price will include the car weight tax (jidosha juryo zei) and fixing all
of the problems which are discovered during the inspection. The car tax is
charged based on the weight of your car. Kei-cars are normally around 4,400
yen and full-sized cars are around 6,300 yen. You can get shaken done at a
car dealership or a gas station. It is recommended that you go to both and
get estimates before they begin the work so you can choose the cheaper one.
Car tax:
The car tax (jidosha-zei) is due every May and is compulsory.
It is determined based on the size of the engine. In Fukushima, a kei-car
is taxed 4,000 yen and a full-sized car is taxed 39,500 yen.
Insurance
NOTE: If you drive without a valid license, any insurance you
may have is void
Jidosha Songai Baisho Sekinin Hoken (Jibaiseki Hoken)-Compulsory
Insurance:
This insurance helps the victim in case of an accident, and is paid for at
inspection time. It only covers injury or death. Damage to vehicles and other
property are not covered. Each car is individually insured.
Jidosha Hoken (Ninni Hoken)- Comprehensive Vehicle Insurance:
This insurance covers the vehicle and supplements the compulsory insurance
for personal injury, property damage, and other driver/passenger injury. Although
it is not required, it is strongly recommended.
There are many choices for optional insurance. Ask friends for his/her recommendations.
You may be eligible to get optional insurance through the General Affairs Office
in your city hall called: Fukushima-ken Chousonkai Zenkoku Chousonshouin Seikatsukyoudoukumai.
To my knowledge, it is the cheapest optional insurance. For a kei car, it will
be about 15,000 yen a year and a full-sized car will be about 35,000 yen a
year. This is usually paid in one lump sum.
A.I.U. - This company is a good choice if English
customer service and billing are a must. Contact Mr. Koji Fujino
for info at: fujinok@aig.co.jp or (03) 3770-7599.
Shipping you Car home:
As Fukushima is close to a major port (Onahama), we can ship the car from here
and it will cost about 3,000 US dollars to ship it to Australia, for example,
including insurance. The main costs will be customs duties, as compliance costs
will be minimal. There are a few companies operating out of Tokyo that can
assist you if you want to ship a car home after you stay in Japan. They organize
everything for you. Although, it should be noted that shipping to right-hand
drive countries is quite easy, but shipping to left-hand drive countries is
quite difficult.
Driving Violations
Traffic offenses are essentially the same as anywhere else: speeding, running
red lights, etc. The penalties incurred can be a fine or a certain number
of points upon your license. Gather six points and you will be suspended
for 30 days.
Here is a list of road signs and traffic violations in Japan.
Good to know….
*There is no right turn on red anywhere in Japan.
*There is a ZERO-TOLERANCE policy in effect for alcohol. If you are caught
with even a 0.000001% blood alcohol level, you will be arrested, fined, and
possibly deported. In addition, anyone in the care with you (or anyone who
knew you were going to drive after drinking) will also be fined.
*You may only drive/ride the vehicle category that you are qualified for on
your domestic license. For example, if you do not have scooter category clearance
on your domestic license you may not ride a scooter in Japan. Same goes for
automatic vs. manual transmission cars.
