Japanese Insurance Requirements

Japanese Insurance Requirements

Every two years, cars on Okinawa must pass a Government of Japan (GOJ) inspection that usually costs between $400 - $600 depending on the rate of exchange. This includes the Japanese Compulsory Insurance (JCI), which is similar to liability insurance in the United States.

JCI is required by Japanese law and covers death and serious injury. American insurance, which is property damage insurance, is also required to drive on base. The rates for this insurance is determined by a driver's age and rank.

Japanese Insurance Rates
U.S. Forces Personnel Only Automobile Liability Insurance Rates
Type of Vehicle



Classification of Rate
I II III IV V
Sedan small B.I. 13,050 16,960 19,570 23,480 26,090
(V/Class:5) P.D. 14,880 19,350 22,320 26,790 29,770
Total 27,930 36,310 41,890 50,270 55,860

Rate Class
Pay Grade Age Class Code
Officers, Civilians, & 30 and older I

Enlisted Personnel 26 - 29 I

(E-8 & E-9) under 26 II

Enlisted Personnel 30 and Older I

(E-5 thru E-7) 26 thru 29 II

26 thru 29 Under 26 III

Enlisted Personnel 30 and Older III

(E-1 thru E-4) 26 thru 29 IV
Under 26 V

Prices are listed in Yen and vary in dollars according to the exchange rate.

Insurance rates listed include Bodily Injury (B.I.) of 30,000,000 Yen and Property Damage (P.D.) of 3,000,000 Yen.

Class 5 vehicles includes cars, vans, and some SUV's.

Annual Road Tax's
Annual road taxes are due each May for all registered vehicles on Okinawa. The tax ranges from 7500 yen to 19000 yen which is $60 to $160 depending on the yen rate. The annual road tax can be paid at almost every base on specific dates and location times which are advertised from the beginning of April each year.

Japanese Weight Tax list
INITIAL REGISTRATION

10/100/40/400 SERIES PLATES: (1 YEAR REGISTRATION)
40/400 10/100
1,001-2,002 kg ¥ 6,500 ¥ 6,600
2,001-2,500 kg ¥ 8,000 ¥ 8,100
2,501-3,000 kg ¥ 9,900 ¥ 10,000

50/500 & 77 SERIES PLATES: (30/300 Series add ¥100)
2 YR REGISTRATION 3 YR REGISTRATION - NEW
Up to 1,000 kg ¥ 12,000 ¥ 16,200
1,001-1,500 kg ¥ 16,200 ¥ 22,500
1,501-2,000 kg ¥ 20,400 ¥ 28,800
80/800 SERIES PLATES:
Up to 1,000 kg ¥ 7,900
1,001-2,000 kg ¥ 12,100
2,001-3,000 kg ¥ 16,300

RE-REGISTRATION / RE-INSPECTION
10/100/40/400 SERIES PLATES: (1 YEAR REGISTRATION)
40/400 10/100
1,001-2,002 kg ¥ 5,800 ¥ 5,900
2,001-2,500 kg ` ¥ 7,300 ¥ 7,400
2,501-3,000 kg ¥ 9,200 ¥ 9,300

50/500 & 77 SERIES PLATES (2 YEAR REGISTRATION) (30/300 Series add ¥100)
Up to 1,000 kg ¥ 11,300
1,001-1,500 kg ¥ 15,500
1,501-2,000 kg ¥ 19,700

80/800 SERIES PLATES: (2 YEAR REGISTRATION)
Up to 1,000 kg ¥ 7,2100
1,001-2,000 kg ¥ 11,400
2,001-3,000 kg ¥ 15,600

MOTORCYCLE:

126cc-250cc ¥ 3,600
251cc and above ¥ 4,600

MINICAR:

¥ 1,400 Inspection fee paid at Mini Car Center
¥ 4,400 (2 year registration) ¥ 5,900 (3 year registration)
Purchase a Japanese Compulsory Insurance (JCI) Policy.

In order to start/complete your inspection you must have a minimum of 2-years remaining on your JCI policy. JCI policy can be purchased from any insurance company (such as ACE, AIU etc for about ¥13,000).

1. Obtain temporary plates, if needed.
If the inspection is expired you will be required to purchase temporary license plates.

2. Write down the mileage of your vehicle and bring it in to Joint Services Vehicle Registration Office (JSVRO).

3. Pay vehicle tonnage tax (Weight tax).
You will pay a Weight Tax fee to the Land Transportation Office Association (LTOA). Payment must be made in ¥EN only. Fees will vary depending on the type of vehicle. The LTOA hours of operation are 0900-1130 and 1230-1530.

4. Pay inspection fee.
Walk to the Inspection area and pay $20.00 cash or check for the inspection.

5. Vehicle inspection.
Return to your vehicle and drive to lane 5, driver only, for the inspection. Before the inspection remove all wheel cap covers.

6. Inspection complete

Vehicle fails
If the vehicle fails inspection you will fix the repairs. Repairs completed on the same day no no re-inspection fee will be assed just return to lane 5 for a re-inspection. If you return the following day a re-inspection fee of ¥1,400 (¥1,500 for 300 series license plates) must be paid at the LTOA section before the inspection.