Yokota prepares for 'road tax' season

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lynsie Lorenz
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  April marked the beginning of the Japanese road-tax season affecting many Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) members across the Kanto Plain.

Members who own a vehicle on April 1 must pay the tax by May 31 or risk losing their driving and vehicle-registration privileges.

Staff Sgt. Errol Wallace, 374th Security Forces Squadron pass and registration NCO in charge, said payments collected are used to compensate the Japanese government for road repairs and improvement projects.

There will be a mass road-tax collection at the Yujo Community Center from April 13-16 to help people pay the tax on time. Volunteers will be available to assist from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day.

"When showing up, make sure to have all the correct information to guarantee a quick process time," said Sergeant Wallace. "If all of the papers are in order, process time should take between 5 and 10 minutes."

The items needed for a quick process time are the vehicle title, Japanese Compulsory Insurance (JCI), 374th Airlift Wing Form 12 (issued from pass and registration), liability insurance, military ID and driver's license.


The following are road-tax rates for this year according to vehicle category:

- 500 yen for motorcycles with engines smaller than 125 cubic centimeters

-1,000 yen for motorcycles with engines larger than 125 cubic centimeters

-3,000 yen for mini cars with 40A or 50A license plates

-7,500 yen for vehicles with 50-59, 500-599 and 400 license plates

-19,000 yen for vehicles with engines smaller than 4.5 liters

-22,000 yen for vehicles with engines larger than 4.5 liters

-32,000 yen for vehicles with 10-19 and 100-199 license plates


Drivers who miss the April 13-16 tax collection at the Yujo will be required to pay their fees at an off-base post office or authorized bank before the May 31 deadline.

For more information, contact Yokota's Pass and Registration office at 225-8932.