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How to Transfer a Kei Car Title in Japan [2025 Saitama Guide] (軽自動車名義変更ガイド)

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Written by Tareq

Who this article is for:

Handing over keys to the buyer of a car
Photo designed by Freepik

This is for anyone who is living in Saitama, Japan, and has bought a kei car from a private seller. And you're looking into how to complete the transfer. Or this is for the future kei car owner who is looking into the process in anticipation of getting a car.

If you are buying from a dealer, they'll usually handle the paperwork, but this article will still help you understand the process.

Now, coming from the perspective of purchasing a car in the United States, all you really need is a bill of sale, sign the pink slips, and then turn in the paperwork. That's all. No hassles assuming there are no issues tied to the seller or the car.

In Japan, it is not simple; it’s a bit more involved with paperwork, and there is a required visit to the responsible office. We will get into all of it.

In this article, I will explain what you need, what to sign and stamp, and where to go. I will also go into detail in regard to how to fill out the transfer papers, and how to verify if the person selling you the car is allowed to sell it (yes, there is that).

Right. Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents:

I Got Lucky (you can skip this part)

I was in the car with one of my bosses, on our way to a work event, talking about my process of converting my license to a Japanese one (check that post, and how to do it here). The conversation shifted to cars, and I lamented the idea that haggle culture wasn’t really a thing here.

That’s where I was corrected—that haggling is a thing (more detailed post about the culture of haggling in a future post). My boss had told me that you can haggle for big purchases, and cars are no exception.

She had told me a story about the car she just bought, and how she had haggled, and how tough the negotiations were, and how the dealer was afraid to lose her business. In the end she said she was steadfast, and eventually got the car for what she wanted.

I told her, she must come with me when the time comes for me to buy a car. She then said, “Just buy my old one.”

The irony in all this is that I did not negotiate the price of the car at all, because the initial offer was essentially a steal. She definitely could have sold it for at least 4 times more, but she told me something which I later found out to be absolutely true.

“It’s not worth the hassle.”

Translation: “Japanese bureaucracy is intense, and the time and stress it would take to go through a channel that would make me a little more money is not worth it as it will shave off a few years of my life just from the stress.”

Amen to that, sister.

Owning a Car in Japan: Vehicle Taxes

Owning a car in Japan means juggling a few different taxes—some paid annually, others whenever you do shaken (車検, vehicle inspection). Here’s a simple breakdown:

1) Annual Vehicle Tax (自動車税・種別割 / 軽自動車税・種別割): White-plate cars (普通車) pay the Automobile Tax (自動車税・種別割) each year. This tax is based mainly on engine size, with higher rates for larger engines. Older cars may face a small environmental surcharge. The tax is billed to whoever owns or uses the car as of April 1 each year, and the payment notice usually arrives in April or May.

Yellow-plate cars (軽自動車 / kei cars) pay the Light Vehicle Tax (軽自動車税・種別割) instead. It’s a flat annual rate—much lower than for white-plate cars—with a surcharge added once the vehicle reaches about 13 years old. Kei car owners also get small “eco-car” discounts for newer, cleaner models.

Note: Both of these are local taxes, collected by your city or prefecture rather than the national government. Here is a detailed explainer article regarding when the surcharge on the tax goes up with age. They also talk about the eco-star tax reduction. It's in Japanese.

2) Vehicle Weight Tax (自動車重量税): The Vehicle Weight Tax is paid at each shaken (vehicle inspection). More detailed general information following this link.

      —White-plate cars: the tax depends on the car’s weight (in 0.5-ton increments). Older cars, usually 13 or 18 years old, pay higher rates.

      —Kei cars: Pay a flat amount regardless of weight, but age-based surcharges and eco-car reductions still apply. You can actually check the amount specific to any kei car following the link. 

For brand-new cars, the first shaken (and weight-tax payment) comes three years after the initial registration, and then every two years after that.

If you’re buying a used car, your shaken cycle just follows whatever schedule the car is already on—so your next inspection might be sooner. For more information on the tax rates follow this link 

3) Consumption Tax (消費税 10%)

Japan’s Consumption Tax (消費税, shōhizei) applies when buying from a dealer or business, typically included in the sale price. However, private person-to-person sales are exempt—so if you buy a used car directly from another individual, no consumption tax is charged. The link takes you to the specific statute confirming this.

Compulsory Insurance (jibaiseki/自賠責)

Every vehicle in Japan must carry Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance (CALI), known in Japanese as 自賠責保険 (Jibaiseki Hoken). It’s renewed every two years, usually at the same time as your shaken. This insurance only covers injuries or deaths resulting from an accident—it doesn’t cover property damage or repairs to your own car. That’s why most people also add voluntary insurance for full protection.

You cannot transfer the title of any car without it. You can read more about it on Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan (MLIT)'s website below. 

https://www.mlit.go.jp/jidosha/jibaiseki/en/about/overview/index.html

The Fabled Shaken (車検 / 自動車検査)

Let me take you back to California for a second. Over there, we have something called a smog check—an emissions test required for most vehicles (with some exceptions) when registering or renewing registration for your car. It basically measures how much pollution your car spits out. Back when I lived there, it cost around 50 to 60 USD.

Now take California’s system... and give it a looooot of steroids.

That’s pretty much Japan’s shaken.

The Japanese Vehicle Inspection (車検) is required for brand-new cars three years after purchase, and then every two years after that. (For commercial or business vehicles, it’s every year.) You can have it done at a dealership, a certified repair shop, or at the local Transport Bureau—the last option being the most “do-it-yourself” route.

The shaken isn’t just about emissions—it’s a full physical for your car. Mechanics check everything that affects safety and performance: lights, brakes, tires, steering, suspension, seatbelts, leaks, even the horn. The goal is to make sure your car is safe for you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road.

As for the cost? It varies—a lot.

You’re basically paying for:
  • Taxes and compulsory insurance (自賠責保険)
  • The inspection fee itself
  • Labor and any necessary repairs
If your car fails inspection, you’ll have to fix whatever’s wrong before it can pass. That’s what makes the shaken a wallet-drainer. On the low end, it can be around ¥35,000, but it’s not uncommon for it to hit ¥120,000 or more, especially for older or heavier cars.

How to Read the Shaken Document

When you get the shaken from the seller, you’ll receive two documents:
  • A smaller card-like document called 自動車検査証の写し (Jidōsha Kensashō no Utsushi) or simply 車検証カード, which lists key information about the vehicle itself—kind of like an ID card for your car.
  • An A4-sized registration certificate (車検証 / shakenshō) that contains detailed info about the car, the registered owner, and the registered user.
If you’re American, I can already hear the question:

     “Registered what and what?”

In the U.S., there’s only an owner—simple enough. But Japan makes distinctions.

Here’s how it works:

Let’s say you buy a car on credit. Technically, until you finish paying off that loan, the car belongs to the credit company. So, on the shaken document, they appear as the registered owner (所有者). Meanwhile, you—the person driving and maintaining it—are listed as the registered user (使用者).

Think of the shaken certificate like Japan’s version of a title or pink slip, but with extra bureaucracy baked in.

Now here’s the part people often overlook: If the registered user (the person driving the car) tries to sell it without the owner’s consent—say, without the credit company’s approval—the transfer will be blocked at the Transport Bureau. The system won’t let you re-register it in your name until the owner officially signs off.

So, if you’re buying a used car, always double-check who’s listed as the registered owner. Otherwise, you might end up with a shiny new paperweight sitting in your driveway. This I can personally confirm.

Shaken Sample: What to Look For

Pro Tip: When buying a used car, make sure the registered owner (所有者の氏名又は名称) listed on the shaken certificate matches the person signing the transfer paperwork.

If the names don’t match, there’s a chance the seller isn’t the legal owner—and the Transport Bureau will block the title transfer until it’s sorted out.

Below is a detailed English translation of a sample shaken certificate commonly used in Saitama, Japan. Scroll below to see a translated example—it’ll make a lot more sense once you see the layout.
Shaken-sho sample with translations

Parking Certificate (車庫証明 / Shako Shōmei)

In Japan, you’re required to have a designated parking space for your car. This is verified through a Parking Space Certificate (車庫証明 / shako shōmei) issued by your local police station.

To get one, you’ll need to:

     1. Secure a parking space (usually through a rental contract).

     2. Get a copy of the rental agreement or proof of ownership for the space.

     3. Visit your local police station and submit an application for the certificate.

A police officer will visit the site to check that:
  • The spot actually exists
  • The car fits inside.
  • No other vehicle is already parked there.
  • The car fits inside.
  • No other vehicle is already parked there.
If all is well, they’ll approve the certificate. If not—well, you’re back to square one.

The certificate is valid for one month, so make sure to complete your ownership transfer within that time frame.

Yes, this is real. Welcome to Japan.

Do Kei Cars Need One?

A parking certificate is always required for white-plate cars (普通車), but for kei cars (yellow plates) it depends on where you live. In less densely populated towns, kei cars are often exempt, but in larger cities they’re still required.

You can check whether your area requires one using this (Japanese-only) lookup tool:

🔗 https://www.kurunavi.jp/syako/index.html

Pro Tip: Use your browser’s auto-translate feature to navigate—it works surprisingly well. You can always check with your local police station or town hall if it's required or exempt.

How to Transfer a Title

Transferring a car title in Japan isn’t exactly a quick exchange. In the U.S., you just sign the pink slip and—boom—the car’s yours. Maybe that’s why street racers lose their rides so easily.

In Japan, though, racing for pinks means spending an entire day at the Transport Bureau, buried in forms and seals. But don’t worry—I’ll break it all down step by step so the process actually makes sense.

Jōto Shōmeisho (譲渡証明書 / Certificate of Transfer)

The Certificate of Transfer (譲渡証明書) is a simple but essential document used when transferring ownership of a vehicle. It’s available online—here is a direct link. This document will be necessary when you show up to actually buy the car from the private seller. Have them fill it out and stamp it. Instructions are below.

This form serves as official proof that the previous owner has released ownership of the car to the buyer. Without it, the title transfer cannot be completed at the Transport Bureau.

Filling it out is straightforward:

     —At the top, write the vehicle’s identifying information (make, model, chassis number, etc.).

     — In the lower section, the seller writes their name and address in the box beside the crossed-out one, then stamps their hanko (personal seal) in the small box to the right of their name and address.

     —Beneath that, the buyer writes their name and address in the space provided.

          —A hanko isn’t required for the buyer.

          —On the left side of the buyer’s box, there’s a small open square. This is where the transfer date should be written. This officially marks when ownership changed hands.

Certificate of Transfer in Japan, translated and explained in detail.

Going to the Transport Bureau

This article focuses on transferring ownership of a kei car (軽自動車). While the overall process for regular cars is quite similar, the locations and paperwork differ slightly.

Regular-sized cars (white plates) are handled by the Land Transport Bureau (陸運局／自動車検査登録事務所) under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT).

Kei cars (yellow plates), on the other hand, are managed by the Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Association (軽自動車検査協会), which has separate branch offices in each prefecture.

In short, the steps are almost the same—but you’ll go to a different office depending on the type of car.

You can find your local branch on the official site here:
👉 https://www.keikenkyo.or.jp/office/

Now, here’s the kicker: their hours are bizarre. Most branches are open Monday to Friday, 8:45–11:30 and 13:00–16:00.

Yeah, I know exactly what you’re thinking—“What kind of hours are those?” Believe me, I feel your pain.

For kei cars, the transfer should be completed within roughly two weeks of signing Certificate of Transfer (譲渡証明書). It cannot be done by mail.

Power of Attorney (委任状 / Ininjō)

If you’re like me and can’t afford to take a weekday off, there is a workaround: you can authorize someone to go on your behalf. This requires a Power of Attorney (委任状 / ininjō)—a document that gives a third party permission to complete certain procedures for you.

The good news? You don’t have to draft it from scratch. The Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Association’s official website provides a downloadable Power of Attorney form right here. It is a simple document.

The diagram below shows how to fill it out and what it looks like.

The Power of Attorney for the Light Vehicle Inspection Association, explained in detail how to fill it out.
At the top of the document write the name and address of the person going on your behalf, and circle the number 6 option. Then write the identifying information for the car in the square below. This document will be the first thing they give to the clerk to get the process started.

It’s a pretty common practice in Japan; in fact, many administrative service shops will do it for a small fee.

Application “Light” Form #1

Have you ever started something that looked ridiculously complicated, only to realize it wasn’t that bad—but still made you question your sanity because of the way the system works? Yeah, welcome to the section of the article where I lost the most brain cells. Don’t worry—I lost them so you don’t have to. Let’s get it.

If you follow this link, it’ll take you to the Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Association's list of various applications. Scroll down until you see Form 1 (It's in Japanese; your browser should automatically translate the page for you).

From my experience, you'll need to complete it on-site.  While the website provides a downloadable version, the clerks won’t accept printed copies—they’ll have you rewrite it on their official form so their scanner can read it correctly. The site also includes sample forms for reference, though they’re entirely in Japanese.

The official explainer shows four different examples for different scenarios. I’ll be breaking down the third example, since that’s the one that applies to what we’re doing here.

If you open the official instructions linked beside the form, you’ll see a PDF with the four examples. Scroll to the third page. I won’t translate every single line this time—just the parts you need to fill out for a private ownership transfer.

Before diving in, let’s outline our situation:

You’re the buyer of a kei car, and you need to change both the registered user (使用者) and the registered owner (所有者) to your name. This means updating the vehicle inspection certificate (車検証).

It might seem counterintuitive, but the option labeled “ownership change” on the form isn’t actually the one you’ll check. That box is reserved for commercial or corporate ownership transfers—private buyers use "Change of Details" instead. Even the bureau’s own instructions tell you to mark a different box—and yes, it feels strange, but I’ve personally tested it. It works.

One last note: instead of writing your full address, this form uses a numerical address code. The site gives a link to find your code, but doesn’t clearly explain how to write it. I reverse-engineered their example and figured it out—so don’t worry, I’ll show you exactly what to do.

Finding Your Address Code

Go to the following link:
👉 https://www.kodokensaku.mlit.go.jp/motas/addresscodesearch

This is where you’ll find your address code (住所コード). The page opens directly to the address search tool, which has a series of drop-down menus for prefecture, district, and town. Select each one in order, then hit the search button.

You’ll see a small table appear with the corresponding address codes. Even though the digits are separated by spaces, you can copy the entire number string as-is on a single line.

Save that code—you’ll need it when filling out Light Form #1 later. Below is the address example provided on the sample application form.

Screenshot for getting the address code

Filling Out the Form

Here is the link to the actual form itself available on their website:

Here is the link to the Japanese "how to fill it out"—my explainer here breaks down their third example:


If this doesn’t earn me my cup of coffee, I don’t know what will. Below is a diagram yours truly put together to help simplify the application form.

A few things before you dive in: the section you want is marked with a red box on the diagram —“Application for Entry or Update of the Vehicle Inspection Certificate.”

If you’re like me and used a translation app, you probably noticed another option that says “Change in Ownership.” (Yes, this is where I started banging my head on the desk.) That’s not the one you want.

Here’s why: we’re changing multiple things on the inspection certificate—not just the owner’s name.

Below that, there’s a section that indicates what exactly is being updated. To stay consistent with the previous entry, the correct option here is “Change of Details.” Write the number 4 in the box to show that multiple updates (ownership and user) will be processed together.

For the License Plate Number section—if you bought a car from outside your local Transport Bureau’s jurisdiction (for example, from Gifu to Saitama), you’ll need to change the plates. You can keep the same number if you like, but some people in Japan choose new ones for luck, aesthetics, or superstition. Just note: getting new plates will cost extra.

The rest of the application is fairly straightforward. Enter the license plate number currently registered, the second half of the chassis number (the seven-digit portion), your name, and that address code you saved from earlier.

Writing the Address Code Correctly

The address code should be written together as one continuous string in the first set of boxes.
If your address contains 丁目 (chōme), write only the number in the middle two boxes—do not include the kanji. Next to those boxes is a longer line of smaller blocks—that’s where you write your building number.

From my understanding, you prioritize the building number; you don’t need to include the building name. However, if your apartment number includes letters, fill in the small square under each letter, and you’ll be fine.

Now, if you make a mistake—or if I’ve made a mistake in explaining this—don’t panic. The clerks will point it out, correct you, and let you redo it.

At the end of the day, they’re the ultimate authority. So whatever advice they give you, follow it. And please, don’t go saying, “But they said it was like this on Japan Unwritten!” 😅

Application for the Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Association, details on how to fill it out with relevant translations
Instructions on how to fill out this form


One More Form at the Bureau

Before I move on to the official list of papers you’ll need to get this done, there’s one more form you might be asked to fill out at the Transport Bureau.

Here’s the thing: I haven’t actually seen this form myself. I sent someone on my behalf to handle the process for my wife’s car, and they were told it was a document mainly about the car’s technical details.

So, I’m going to flip a coin here and say—don’t stress about it too much. The people at the bureau deal with this stuff every day, and they’ll walk you through whatever additional paperwork is required.

If I ever get my hands on that form, I’ll update this article with a preview and a short guide on how to fill it out. Until then—my apologies in advance, and good luck if you encounter the mysterious extra form. 😅

Everything You Need to Bring

Alright—we’ve talked through the forms, how to read the shaken, and what all those documents actually mean. And now that you’ve got everything filled out and ready to go, let’s talk about what you’ll actually need to bring with you.

Required Documents

① Jyuminhyo (住民票 / Certificate of Residence): You can get this from your local town hall, or from a convenience store if you have a MyNumber card. Follow this link to find out more of what you can do at a Japanese konbini.

          ⚠️Be sure to request a version without your MyNumber printed on it—they only need to confirm your address. It must have been issued within the last three months.

② Identification: This can be your driver’s license or residence card. Make sure the address on your ID matches the one on your jyuminhyo exactly.

③ Shaken Documents (車検証): You’ll need both:
  • The A4-sized certificate, listing the registered user, owner, and vehicle details.
  • The smaller green card, which is the inspection certificate of the car itself.
④ Compulsory Insurance (自賠責 / Jibaiseki): By law, every car must have this insurance, renewed every two years. It’s a green document—bring the most current one.

⑤ Current Year’s Tax Stub (自動車税納税証明書): Proof that the vehicle tax for the current year has been paid. This is mandatory for completing the ownership transfer.

⑥ Transfer Document (譲渡証明書 / Jōto Shōmeisho): The document the seller stamps to officially transfer ownership from them to you.

Optional Documents:

⑦ Power of Attorney (委任状 / Ininjō): Required only if someone else is going on your behalf. You can download an official template from the Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Association’s website.

⑧ Copy of Application Form #1 (軽第1号様式): It’s a good idea to fill one out as practice so you know where everything goes. However, they won’t accept your printed copy—you must fill out their official form at the bureau.

⑨ License Plates: If the car is being transferred from a different jurisdiction, you’ll need to bring the existing plates to have them replaced.

Final Thoughts

Look, I swear I know what you’re thinking — and yeah, this whole process looks overwhelming and intimidating. But it’s okay! The good news? All these updates are free. Yay! You’ll just lose a day’s wage and maybe a few brain cells getting it done.

If I, with my very average Japanese, managed to get through this, then trust me—you can too. Don’t stress too much. The only process truly worthy of panic is converting your foreign driver’s license to a Japanese one.

Before you go, though, a few survival tips from someone who’s been there:
  • Double-check your documents the night before. Even one missing stamp or expired certificate can send you right back home.
  • Go early. The Transport Bureau gets busy fast, and they close for lunch — like, really close for lunch.
  • And most importantly, be patient. The clerks see this stuff every day—if you’re polite and show you’re trying, they’ll usually help you through it.
Once you’ve finished, grab that hard-earned coffee, and enjoy the small victory. You officially survived the Japanese Transport Bureau.
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