Road Tax season returns

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ruth Curfman
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Japanese road tax season begins Sunday and affects all Status of Forces Agreement members across the Kanto Plain.

Members who own a vehicle as of April 1 must pay this tax by May 31 or they may lose their driving privileges or vehicle registration privileges, according to 374th Security Forces Squadron officials.

"Starting Monday, people can walk-in to pay their road tax at the pass and registration office, in Building 316," said J.R. Hollingsworth, 374th Security Forces Squadron, security technician.

"Additionally, mass road tax collection will be at the Taiyo April 16 through 20 for regular four-wheeled vehicles and April 19 through 20 for mini cars and motorcycles."

Volunteers will be available from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. to complete members' road taxes during the week.

Mini-cars and motorcycles road tax can be paid on April 19 or 20 only.

"To make the process as smooth as possible, people should bring their vehicles' Japanese Inspection Certificate, military registration, liability insurance policy and Japanese Compulsory Insurance certificate," said Mr. Hollingsworth. These documents must be current.

Motorcycle and mini-car owners must report to the Fussa or Murayama City Hall in person to pay for their road tax. The owners then take the receipt and vehicle information to the base pass and registration office to receive a new decal.

Members can also opt to pay at an off-base bank or post office if they own vehicles other than a motorcycle or mini-car.

Members are required to bring all vehicle information and pick up a road tax application form from the pass and registration office prior to going off base to pay.

The following are the road tax rates for this year according to vehicle category:
- 500 yen for motorcycles and scooters below 125cc;
- 1,000 yen for motorcycles above 125cc;
- 3,000 yen for mini-cars with 40A or 50 plates;
- 7,500 yen for vehicles with 44Y, 55E, 56Y, 57Y, 58Y, 500Y or 400Y plates;
- 19,000 yen for vehicles with under 4.5 liter engines and an 33Y, 33E, 88Y, 300Y, 300E, 800Y or 800E plate;
- 22,000 yen for vehicles with a 4.5 engine or larger and an 33Y, 33E, 88Y, 300Y, 300E, 800Y or 800E plate;
- 32,000 yen for 11Y, 11E, 100Y or 100E plates.

"The Government of Japan recently developed a new system for collecting road tax," said Kenji Takura, pass and registration specialist. "Beginning April 1, once the annual road tax is paid on a vehicle during the Japanese fiscal year, between April 1 and March 31, SOFA personnel purchasing and re-registering a vehicle will not have to pay the road tax for that year. Anyone selling their vehicle after the road tax is paid will not receive a refund from the Japanese Government for the remaining portion of the year."

For more information, call 225-8932 or 225-8914, or visit Building 316, room 124.