Buying a car

So you want to get a car on Okinawa? You really have 2 choices when deciding on the price you can pay and deciding the JCI. JCI - Japanese Compulsory Insurance. Every 2 years JCI is due and it has to be paid all at once, not in payments!


If you want to own a personal vehicle in Japan, you have to purchase/complete:
Insurance:

Liability Insurance:
The minimum amount required by U.S. Military Law is ¥30,000,000 for bodily injury and ¥3,000,000 for property damage. Insurance may be purchased from an authorized Japanese agency.

Japanese Compulsory Insurance (JCI):
It must be purchased by a company licensed in Japan. Japanese law requires vehicle owners to carry in their cars at all times a form certifying that the second type of policy has been purchased. A firm selling the policy issues the form. The Japanese government determines level of JCI coverage. Failure to maintain current Japanese Compulsory Insurance (JCI) for your POV will result in suspension or revocation of driving privileges for up to one year.

Inspection:
Owners will be required to get their vehicles a biennial safety inspection. The inspection is based upon Japanese safety standards. This is a requirement under Japanese law and is required for all A/E/Y plated vehicles. This requirement is for vehicle inspections to be accomplished every two years within 30 days of the JCI expiration date.

Vehicle Registration:

It is located on Camp Foster by the commissary and the bowling alley.

Road tax & car purchase:

When you purchase a car, road tax is due every May. The amount of the road tax depends on the # found on the license plate: a 300-series plate will cost you 17000Y (about $155/year) versus a 500-series plate which will cost you 7500Y (about $65/year). This is because the 300-series vehicles have bigger engines.

Buying a Car Off Base...Any Benefits or Downsides???

Advantages
• Up to 18-month loan at 0% interest at the local dealerships (great if you make payments on time and do not have the money to pay upfront)
• 6 month to 12 month warranties (generally covering A/C, engine, transmission)
• Generally newer selection of vehicles versus the warranties
• JCI usually good for 2 years after purchase (JCI is a very extensive Japanese inspection done every 2 years on EVERY vehicle and runs from $250-750+, depending on problems found with the vehicle)

Disadvantages
• No test drive (that's right, NO test drive. You can start the engine and tour the car, but since
• Higher price paid on vehicle (you are paying extra for the warranty and the dealership's overhead costs); Also - warranty "replacement car" that some dealerships talk about...don't count on it. BC Motors has a 1 month waiting list, Payless Motors is much shorter

Buying a Car On Base...

Advantages:
• You can find better savings, especially from those with just days left on island who really need to sell their cars and are willing to discount

Disadvantages:
• No 0% interest loans. Need full cash value up front or loan arranged via a bank beforehand.
• No warranties on the vehicle. Make sure you give the car, van, or truck a good test drive. Check the air conditioning - you will want this!!!
• JCI inspection may be coming due shortly (due every 2 years). Make sure you check on the last date this was accomplished. These must be done on all vehicles and they can be quite expensive, depending on the vehicle.