Resource Center FAQ
Below are some commonly asked questions at the Resource Center. Hold the "control" key and the "F" key at the same time ("command" key and the "F" key on Macs) to type in a keyword.
- What do I need to switch my driving license?
- Where can I get information car insurance?
- How do I transfer a car title (buy/sell a car from/to an individual)?
- Where can I buy a car?
- Where can I get my car repaired?
- Where can I get my shaken/JCI inspection?
- Where can I get a document notarized?
- Where can I go about questions concerning taxes?
- What do I need to know about pregnancy/ childbirth in Okinawa?
What do I need to switch my driving license?
A. The procedure to switch a foreign license to a Japanese license varies depending on the home country. Essentially, you will need the following:
- your original driver’s license
- a translation of the license
- documents (tax returns, transcripts, etc. ) proving that you have been in the country of issuance for at least 3 months before coming to Japan. *
*Some driver’s licenses don’t have an issue date. In that case, you will need your driver’s license history as well.
For more detailed information, please see the HERE
Where can I get information car insurance?
Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance (CALI)
Under Japanese law, all registered vehicles must be covered by Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance. This compulsory insurance is very similar in concept to that mandated in other countries, and it is designed primarily to protect third parties from injury by any vehicle in an accident. Although compulsory insurance is effective, it is by no means adequate in providing coverage for the insured, property damage to third parties and it does not cover any repair or replacement for damage to the vehicle itself.
Optional Automobile Insurance
There's no shortage of optional auto insurance coverage and policy types. Collision coverage pays to repair damage to your vehicle caused by a crash. In addition to the standard types of insurance, comprehensive coverage will also pay for damage to your vehicle if it's vandalized or stolen, etc. Both comprehensive and collision coverage generally require you to pay an excess (sometimes known as a 'deductible') before you can claim any money. The amount of the excess is decided at the time of insuring the vehicle, and is typically 50,000 yen, 100,000 yen etc. The point to remember is that the lower the excess you choose, the higher the premium will be. Furthermore, different policies will specify the particular circumstances under which coverage is available.
** Every Wednesday from 11:00 - 15:00, English speaking insurance company visits OIST (Level B: Restaurant Private Room). No reservation required!
CHUBB:
WILLIAMS TECHNICAL SERVICE KK
368 Sunabe Chatan-cho, Okinawa 904-0111
TEL: 098-936-2710 / FAX: 098-936-8054
WILLIAMS TECHNICAL SERVICE KITAMAE OFFICE
1-10-9 #201 Kitamae Chatan-cho
TEL: 098-936-4700
FAX: 098-936-4700
AIU:
Nakama Insurance
Hamagawa 2-4-5 1F
Chatan, Okinawa
Tel: 098-926-1089
Other options (Japanese only) include:
AIOI Insurance
JA Insurance
Daido Insurance
You will generally need to present the following when getting voluntary insurance:
Copy of Japanese Drivers license (front and back)
Copy of Car Shaken/Inspection Certificate
Proof of Compulsory Insurance
Previous insurance card/paperwork (if you would like to change insurance companies)
How do I transfer a car title (buy/sell a car from/to an individual)?
- Where to go:
For white-plate vehicles: 512-4 Minatogawa, Urasoe, Okinawa 〒901-2134
For yellow-plate vehicles: 512-12 Minatogawa, Urasoe, Okinawa 〒901-2134
- Necessary Documents (white-plate cars)
-
Buyer's and seller's Personal Seals (inkan or hanko)*both the seals must be the ones which are registered at the municipalities that the buyer and the seller live in
-
Buyer's and seller's Personal Seal Certificate (印鑑登録証明書)
-
Deed of Transfer (譲渡証明書) (needs to be signed by both the buyer and the seller. The seller also needs to stamp thier personal seal)
-
Compulsory Insurance Certificate (自賠責保険証) from the previous owner
-
Shaken Inspection Certificate (車検証) from the previous owner
-
Letter of Attorney (委任状) *Fill in this form and stamp both the buyer's and the seller's personal seals if either or both of them cannot go to the office in person.
-
A proof of a parking space from the police station(車庫証明書) *if the buyer is a resident of either Onna or Yomitan, this is not required.
-
Proof of Payment of Automobile Tax (自動車税納付証明書) from previous owner (ONLY IF the car needs to undergo a Shaken inspection when having its title transferred)
- Necessary Documents (yellow-plate cars)
- Shaken Inspection Certificate (車検証) from the previous owner
- Buyer's residence certificate(住民票抄本) (the one issued within 3 months)
- Both the buyer's and the seller's inkans (personal seals)*the seals doesn't necessarily have to be registered at the municipalities that the buyer and the seller live in
- Letter of Attorney (委任状) *Fill in this form and stamp both the buyer's and the seller's seals(signature will do if inkan is not available) if both or either cannot go to the office in person.
- "OCR application form format#1"
- Report of light-sized vehicle tax*This document can only be available at the Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Association
The following page has additional information regarding buying and selling cars from dealers and individuals:
http://japan.angloinfo.com/transport/vehicle-ownership/buying-a-used-car/
Where can I buy a car?
For general information about finding a car, please see the Relocation Team’s “Living in Okinawa Guide”.
There are many places to buy a car in Okinawa. However, not all of them offer English support. If this will be your first car in Okinawa, the Relocation Team can offer you assistance.
Buying from an Individual Seller
There are a few ways to find individuals selling cars:
• TIDA’s “marketplace” section often features cars from OIST members.
• OkinawaYardSales.com has a listing of vehicles. (Search for “kanji plate” to avoid SOFA status vehicles)
• Simply ask! Many OIST members may be looking to sell their vehicle.
If you decide to purchase a car from an individual seller, please read “How do I transfer a car title?” for more information.
Buying a car from someone with SOFA status (Y plate car)
If you choose to buy a car from a personal seller, please be aware that as someone with a typical residence status (Japanese National, or on a work visa from the Japanese government and sponsored by OIST) purchasing a vehicle from someone who has SOFA status (generally people working for the U.S. military, U.S. government, and their dependents), can be very complicated and expensive (due to the additional taxes and inspections that need to be performed).
Local Dealerships:
There are many used-car dealerships in Okinawa, but be aware of the following:
• Warranties are often very limited or non-existent
• Some dealers will only sell a car to someone with a Japanese interpreter.
• Some shop owners open their dealerships at very irregular hours.
If you shop for a car using the resources below, it’s best to check these details in advance with the Resource Center or a Japanese speaking friend.
Internet Sites
Goo net (Suzuki- Kei)
http://www.goo-net.com/area/okinawa/KEI/
This language has an English version, but it is difficult to find cars in Okinawa using the English page. Instead, you can use this Japanese page and run it through Google Translate.
Cross Road
http://www.o-cross.net/
This website is also in Japanese, but the Relocation Team has created a PDF guide that will be helpful for English speakers.
Used-Car Shops
Below are a few used-car shops near the Onna-area.
Okinawa Prefecture 904-0411
Phone: 098-966-2450
Hours: 9:00-18:00 (Monday-Saturday)
Car Shop Koja
Nakagami-gun, Okinawa-ken
904-0303, Japan
Phone: 098-957-3595
Hours: 9:00-19:00
Kina Motors
Nakagami District, Okinawa, 904-0311
Phone: +81 98-982-8686
Hours: 9:00-19:30 (Open Everyday)
Where can I get my car repaired?
Where can I get my shaken/JCI inspection?
Many car dealers, gas stations and car repair shops offer shaken/JCI inspections.
English Speaking Shops:
- Toma’s Garage
2761 Noborikawa,Okinawa City, Okinawa 904-2142
Phone: 098-937-4059
Hours: 8:00-18:00 (Monday-Saturday)
*Full Service in English. Free loaner cars. Credit Cards Accepted
- Auto Repair Shop Toma
Google Map
Phone: 098-956-0691
Hours: 7:30-18:00 (Monday-Saturday)
*Full service in English. Free Loner cars. Free car wash. Free estimates.
- B&M Motors
28 Sunabe, Chatan,Okinawa 901-0111
Phone: 098-926-5588
Hours: 9:00-18:00 (Monday-Saturday)
Shaken Specialists (Tend to be the cheapest options for JCI/Shaken)
- Miyazato Komae Vehicle Inspection Shop
2 Chome-19-25 Miyazato, Okinawa, Okinawa Prefecture 904-2165
Phone: 0800-808-0250
Hours: 9:00-19:00 (Open Daily)
- Super Car Inspection
Okinawa Branch
1-1-24 Ageda, Okinawa City, Okinawa, 904-0012
Phone: 098-937-3388
Hours: 8:00-19:00; (Sunday and Holidays: 8:00-18:00)
*Online reservation (Japanese). Cards not accepted
Uruma City Branch
287-1 Maehara, Uruma City, Okinawa, 904-2235
Phone: 098-937-3388
Hours: 8:00-19:00; (Sunday and Holidays: 8:00-18:00)
*Online reservation (Japanese). Cards not accepted
Where can I get a document notarized?
Where can I go about questions concerning taxes?
What do I need to know about pregnancy/ childbirth in Okinawa?
Registering Your Pregnancy
As soon as you know that you are pregnant, you must submit a Pregnancy Registration Form (妊娠届出書/ninshintodokedesho) to the village hall.
You will receive several documents meant to help educate you about pregnancy. The most important thing you will receive is the Mother-child health handbook (母子健康手帳/boshikenkoutechou).
About the Mother-Child Health Handbook
This handbook is extremely important. Everything medical about you (through your pregnancy) and your child (until they are several years old) will be recorded in here. It must be brought to any doctor/midwife appointment, hospital visit, etc. and is usually necessary for any kind of legal or official government procedure.
Birth Registration Requirements
Period of Registration
|
|
Individuals Eligible to Register
|
|
Region for Registration
|
|
Where to Register
|
|
Necessary Items
|
|
Documents for Non-Japanese Residents
|
|