Motor Vehicles

When operating a motor vehicle in Japan, a driver must possess a motor vehicle license that authorizes driving in Japan, issued by the local Provost Marshal Office or Vehicle Registration Office (in Japan, a USFJ Form 4EJ is issued). All drivers must adhere to Japanese law, United States Forces Japan policy, and United States Army Garrison Japan policy.  

The legal driving age in Japan is 18 years of age, which differs from the United States.  

Pursuant to United States Army Garrison (USAG) Japan Regulation 190-5, personnel on Temporary Duty (TDY) or Invitational Travel Orders for less than 90 days are not permitted to operate any motor vehicles, except as required for official duty. 

All registration and licensing are handled by the Vehicle Registration Office on Camp Zama. 

All personnel on Camp Zama will not possess more than one registered 4-wheeled and one registered 2-wheeled vehicle per licensed vehicle operator, up to a maximum of three per household. Permanent vehicle registration must be obtained within 5 calendar days of receiving or acquiring a vehicle. At the time of reporting, personnel will be prepared to complete registration with the Japanese authorities and with the Vehicle Registration Office within 3 business days. 

Insurance Requirements -- U.S. Forces personnel will have in effect at the time of registration of their vehicles, and will maintain in effect until registration is canceled, the following types of insurance:

• Japanese Compulsory Insurance: commonly referred to as JCI. JCI is purchased in 2-year increments, (may differ depending on the age of the vehicle) and rates are all the same no matter which insurance company.
• Personal Liability Insurance: minimum coverages of 30,000,000 JPY for bodily injury and 3,000,000 JPY for property damage are mandated by United States Forces Japan. Rates on these insurance policies vary depending on the age and rank of the driver. Special care should be given when purchasing policies to cover minors since notification to the insurance company is necessary and the rates are somewhat higher. (A separate liability insurance policy for your bicycle is mandatory if you are a bicycle rider).

Cell Phones -- Hands-free devices must be used while operating a motor vehicle on ALL military installations worldwide. Cell phone use without a hands-free device while driving or while riding a bicycle is illegal in Japan.

Bicycles – All bicycle riders must wear a helmet while riding on-post. A white front-light and red backlight are mandatory for riding on-post and off-post.

Traffic -- All motor vehicles must be driven on the left side of the road. It usually takes some time to get used to operating on the other side of the road. We recommend new drivers in Japan to first practice on the installation since the roads are larger and there is far less traffic. 

Accidents -- All accidents must be reported to the Military Police Station immediately. Failure to do so will result in further infractions, resulting in more points assessed against your license. All accidents involving your Personally Owned Vehicle (POV) must be reported to your insurance company within 72 hours of the accident, or your license will be suspended immediately. 

The only authorized operator's permit utilized in Japan is the USFJ Form 4EJ issued by the Vehicle Registration Office on Camp Zama. This includes all dependents regardless of whether they are employed or not. In order to obtain a USFJ Form 4EJ, the individual must attend a 4-hour driver's training course given every Tuesday, from 8 am until 12 pm at the Safety Training Classroom, 1F, A-Wing, Building 102, Camp Zama. Attendance in this course, successful completion of a 50-question test, and a valid stateside license, USFK, or USAEUR POV license, or International Driver Permit (IDP) is required to obtain the USFJ Form 4EJ. Not all IDPs are recognized by Japan, and IDPs are only valid for 1 year in Japan. You are responsible for knowing the laws regarding IDPs in Japan. 

Student Driver's Permit

Student driver's permit (temporary). A temporary permit for four-wheeled vehicles may be issued for a 180-day period to individuals 18 years of age or older. To obtain this permit the individual must attend the driver's training course and successfully complete the test mentioned above. In addition, the individual must obtain an eye test at the Motor Pool. This permit is valid only when the student driver is accompanied by an adult (20 years or older) licensed in accordance with the above. The practice vehicle will display the AJ Sign 19EJ (Student Temporary Permit, Under Practice), in both the front windshield and rear window, and will be allowed to operate only at designated times and locations. Student Drivers can only operate a vehicle on the installations, NOT on Japanese roads. 

Minor Student Permit

Family members 16 and 17 years of age may receive a student permit. The student must complete all the requirements above and then submit a written application. The permit is valid only when the student driver is accompanied by a licensed adult (20 or older).

Minor Student License

Family members 16 and 17 years of age may receive a USFJ Form 4EJ after completing all requirements of the Minor Student Permit and additionally pass a First Time Driving Course (45 hours of driving instruction by a US State certified driving instructor) and pass a practical driving test administered by the Camp Zama Motor pool. However, since the legal driving age in Japan is 18, NOT 16, minors will only receive an ON-POST ONLY license once complete. When they turn 18, they will receive a full USFJ Form 4EJ.

Japanese law, United States Forces Japan policy, and United States Army Garrison Japan policy regulate the operation of motor vehicles. All drivers are responsible for knowing the laws and policies for driving in Japan. Drivers will receive information at the Driving in Japan Orientation course before they are able to receive their license. 

• Under Japanese law, every licensed driver is a professional driver.  Drunk driving laws are extremely strict, with very low Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) levels and severe punishments and costs for infractions. A BAC of 0.03% or higher is illegal while operating a vehicle in Japan. 
• Seatbelts are mandatory whether driving on-post or off-post. 
• Failure to maintain the proper insurances will result in immediate suspension of your license and impoundment of your vehicle. 

All violations and accidents will incur points against your license. The point system is outlined in USAG Japan Regulation 190-5. Depending on how many points you accrue and within a certain time period, your license may be suspended. 

Weapon Laws in Japan

Weapons in Japan are extremely tightly controlled. Possessing/carrying ANY type of personal weapon is illegal. You are responsible for knowing the laws and adhering to them. Tasers/stun guns and pepper spray are illegal. DO NOT ship these items to Japan in your property shipment. Knives with blades longer than 2.1 inches and scissors with blades longer than 3.1 inches are illegal to carry around and brandish. Kitchen knives must be kept in your home. You cannot keep multi-tools in your car or backpack if the blades violate the length outlined in the law. Switchblades and butterfly knives are NEVER allowed. Martial arts weapons (including wooden practice ones) are only allowed to be carried if you are on your way to a martial arts class and you have the weapon wrapped in a thick cloth and tied tightly with rope. Blunt objects such as baseball bats are illegal to carry around if not in a bag and you are not on your way to a baseball game or a store to return it, for example. Violation of Japan’s weapon control laws may result in heavy fines (USD $5000 or more), imprisonment, and deportation, regardless of your SOFA status in Japan (Active Duty, Civilian, Contractor, Dependent).

Japanese Investigations

Failure to comply with or cooperate with the Japanese National Police for traffic investigations or any other investigations may result in higher penalties and prosecution in a Japanese court. The Camp Zama Legal Office is the point of contact for all inquiries regarding your rights as a SOFA member when dealing with Japanese National Police. 

All incidents/accidents involving personal injury to, or death of a Japanese national, or damage to property belonging to a Japanese national must be reported, thoroughly investigated and forwarded to the USAF. The USAF has single-Service claims responsibility in Japan. The Japanese national(s) involved will be advised to contact the local DFAB.

Failure to comply with or cooperate with the Japanese National Police for traffic investigations or any other investigations may result in higher penalties and prosecution in a Japanese court. The Camp Zama Legal Office is the point of contact for all inquiries regarding your rights as a SOFA member when dealing with Japanese National Police.