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Tips on buying a car in Japan

By on August 6, 2015

Has your family just arrived in Japan? Thinking of buying a used car? Mick Lay, the go-to person for many foreign car buyers in Tokyo, shares his tips on how best to do it:

“Timing is everything. Unlike in the USA, Australia, or elsewhere, a car can not be bought on the spot and, after signing the transfer slip, drive away.  Oh no, it takes much longer than that – it can take up to two weeks for a dealer to deliver a car that you have bought. The process of transferring title of a car into your name requires specific documentation from your side. That, in itself, takes time for you to make and you also  need to apply for a parking permit.

Paper Work. (Inkanshomeisho or seal certificate and Parking Space paper work)              1. You need to to supply an Inkanshomeisho (a seal registration certificate) Search Mick Lay and Inkanshomeisho on You Tube.
2. You’ll also need your housing agent to supply you with a certificate
to prove that you have a legitimate parking space.

Private Insurance. There is a component of insurance in the registration of the car but it is not enough to cover you in the case of an accident where you have to pay out for damage to another car, building, and/or injury to others. You definitely need a private insurance. You will need, for starters, your valid driving license issued in your home country and a valid international driving license. Depending on your home country, you may not be able  to drive in Japan on an international driving license.  See http://www.jaf.or.jp/e/  for details on road rules in Japan.

Japanese Driving License

Japanese-drivers-license1

You must change to a Japanese driving license as soon as you can after arriving in Japan (within three months). See http://www.jaf.or.jp/e/ for details on that process.”

Mick Lay motors is a new and used car supplier in Tokyo and assists foreigners with paper work. For more details, www.MickLay.com tel. 090-3805-7141

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