Vehicles in Tokyo | The Attaché Desk

For information only. This guide is an editorial orientation resource. It does not constitute legal, tax, or administrative advice, and does not recommend or encourage any specific course of action. Regulations, procedures and entitlements change; always verify current requirements with your mission, the relevant Japanese authorities, and qualified advisers before taking any decision.

Overview

Japan’s diplomatic plates are among the most visually distinctive in the world: blue background, white characters, and a Japanese kanji rather than the Latin “CD” used in most other countries. Beyond the plate format, the vehicle ownership situation in Tokyo is shaped by the exceptional quality of public transport, the cost of parking in central Tokyo, and a mandatory vehicle inspection system (shaken). Diplomatic tax exemptions reduce some costs but not all.

Do you need a car?

For most postings in central Tokyo, no. Tokyo’s public transport network is arguably the best in the world: the Tokyo Metro and Toei subway lines, JR commuter trains, private railways and buses cover virtually every residential and institutional area with high frequency and exceptional reliability. Journeys from Hiroo to Kasumigaseki (the government district) take approximately 20-25 minutes by public transport.

The case for a car is strongest for families living in western or northern Tokyo with children at ASIJ in Chofu, for staff requiring regular travel outside Tokyo, or for missions with specific operational transport requirements. Parking costs in central Minato-ku can reach JPY 60,000-100,000 per month for a reserved space.

The distinctive blue plate

Japanese diplomatic plates have been issued in the current format since 1952. They are immediately recognisable:

Blue background, white characters

The format is: one Japanese kanji character + hyphen + four digits. The kanji character (外) is the character for “foreign” and denotes the diplomatic corps. For the head of mission (Ambassador or High Commissioner), this character is circled, distinguishing the Ambassador’s vehicle from those of other accredited staff.

The first two digits of the four-digit sequence identify the sending country or organisation by a code assigned by MOFA. The second two digits are a serial number for individual vehicles within that mission.

Example: 外-0214 (where 外 is the kanji, 02 is the country code, 14 is the serial number).

This format differs entirely from the green plates of France, the blue or green plates of Switzerland, the white-with-red of Belgium, the white numeric plates of the UK, the white numeric plates of the US, and the S-CD format of Singapore.

The registration procedure

Vehicle registration for diplomatic staff in Japan involves MOFA and the Land Transportation Office (*Rikusō):

MOFA approval: The mission submits an application to the MOFA Protocol Division, which confirms the accreditation and approves the diplomatic plate issuance.
Land Transportation Office registration: With MOFA approval, the vehicle is registered at the relevant Land Transportation Office (Rikusō Kantōkyoku in the Tokyo metropolitan area) and blue plates are issued.

Your mission’s administrative office handles this process. Bring the vehicle’s import documentation, certificate of conformity, and proof of compulsory insurance.

Tax exemptions and costs

Automobile tax (jidōsha-zei): Diplomatically registered vehicles are exempt from the annual automobile tax.

Consumption tax (JCT, currently 10%): Diplomatic staff may apply for consumption tax exemption on vehicle purchases through the MOFA tax relief procedure. Confirm the current process and eligibility with your mission’s administrative office.

Compulsory automobile liability insurance (jibai-seki hoken): Mandatory for all vehicles in Japan, including diplomatic plates. This insurance is required by law regardless of diplomatic status and must be in force before the vehicle can be used on public roads.

Shaken (車検, mandatory vehicle inspection): Japan requires a comprehensive vehicle inspection every two years for passenger vehicles (the first inspection is after three years for new vehicles). Confirm with your mission whether diplomatic vehicles are subject to or exempt from shaken requirements, as this has practical implications for vehicle maintenance and certification.

Expressways and tolls

Japan’s expressway network is subject to tolls, collected electronically via the ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) system. Most vehicles are fitted with an ETC unit at the dealership. The position on diplomatic vehicles and expressway toll exemption is not settled in a single published instrument; confirm with your mission whether mission vehicles are covered by any toll exemption arrangement before assuming one applies.

End of posting

When your diplomatic status ends, the blue plates must be returned and the vehicle deregistered or re-registered in a standard series. Coordinate this with your mission’s administrative office before your departure date. If selling the vehicle in Japan, any consumption tax deferred at the time of purchase may become payable.

Official sources

Last reviewed 7 July 2026.