Vehicles

Compulsory automobile liability insurance (Jibaiseki Hoken) in Japan covers up to ¥120 million per person for bodily injury and ¥30 million per accident for property damage.

In Japan, if the other driver is uninsured, you may still receive compensation through the government-backed Automobile Damage Compensation Security Act scheme, which provides mandatory basic coverage regardless of fault or the other party’s insurance status.

Driving without compulsory automobile liability insurance (Jibaiseki Hoken) in Japan is illegal and punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment or a fine of up to ¥500,000 — or both.

Driving without a valid driver's license in Japan is illegal and punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment or a fine of up to ¥500,000 — or both.

Driving a vehicle without a valid shaken (mandatory inspection) is illegal in Japan and can result in fines up to ¥500,000 or imprisonment up to 6 months.

In Japan, hit-and-run offenses carry severe penalties including up to 10 years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to ¥1 million — or both — under the Automobile Damage Compensation Security Act and Road Traffic Act.

Yes, you can be arrested for speeding in Japan if you exceed the speed limit by 30 km/h or more on ordinary roads, or by 40 km/h or more on expressways.

In Japan, drunk driving carries criminal penalties including up to 5 years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to ¥1 million — and harsher penalties if injury or death results.

In Japan, an infraction fine (karyo) is a non-criminal administrative penalty for minor violations, while a criminal penalty results from conviction in criminal court and carries stigma, imprisonment, or heavier fines under the Penal Code.

In Japan, a bicycle accident perpetrator may be held liable for damages under the Civil Code if their negligence caused injury or property damage.

In Japan, fault ratio in accidents is determined by courts based on the degree of negligence or violation of duty by each party, guided by principles in the Civil Code and case law standards — but no fixed statutory formula exists.

In Japan, the vehicle owner is strictly liable for damages caused by autonomous driving accidents under the Automobile Damage Compensation Security Act, unless they prove the accident was due to force majeure or the victim’s intentional act or gross negligence.

In Japan, drivers and vehicle owners can be held liable for accidents caused by poor vehicle maintenance under the Road Traffic Act and the Automobile Damage Compensation Security Act.

In Japan, the driver of a rental car is generally liable for damages caused in an accident, unless the rental company was negligent in vehicle maintenance or failed to confirm the driver’s license validity.

Yes, vehicle owners in Japan are generally liable for accidents caused by their vehicles, even if they were not driving — unless they prove they exercised due care in selecting and supervising the driver.

In Japan, vehicle modifications are strictly regulated under the Road Transport Vehicle Act. Only modifications approved by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) or certified as compliant with safety and emissions standards are permitted.

In Japan, children under 6 years old must use a child car seat or booster seat unless an exception applies.

Yes, all rear-seat passengers aged 6 and older must wear seatbelts in Japan. Drivers are legally responsible for ensuring compliance.

In Japan, you cannot legally register or drive a car without a valid garage certificate (shako shōmeisho), which proves you have a designated parking space meeting local regulations.

Road rage in Japan is not a standalone offense, but violent or threatening behavior may constitute assault, intimidation, or obstruction of business under the Penal Code.

In Japan, drivers aged 75 and older must surrender their license voluntarily or undergo cognitive testing; those aged 70–74 must attend a driving safety class upon renewal.

In Japan, administrative penalties for personal injury accidents are generally not imposed directly on individuals involved in ordinary traffic or workplace injuries; instead, penalties apply to employers or operators who violate safety regulations under laws like the Industrial Safety and Health Act or Road Transport Vehicle Act.

Japan does not have a national 'abandoned vehicle system' like some Western countries; instead, local governments handle unauthorized parking and abandoned vehicles under the Road Traffic Act and local ordinances.

The limitation period for compulsory automobile liability insurance (CALI) claims in Japan is 2 years from the date the victim becomes aware of the damage and the liable party.