Kei cars for foreign buyers: costs, insurance and limits

A kei car (軽自動車) is a small Japanese car with an engine of 660cc or less, and the kei car Japan rules also cap its size at 3.4 m long, 1.48 m wide and 2.0 m high. As of October 2026, a private kei registered since April 2015 pays ¥10,800 in annual tax. A foreign resident can buy one with a 住民票 (residence record); you don’t need permanent residency.

What counts as a kei car in Japan?

The Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Organization (軽自動車検査協会) gives the current standard, for vehicles made on or after 1 October 1998:

That is the legal definition for three- and four-wheeled kei vehicles. We did not confirm seat or cargo limits on an official page, so check the specs of the model you want.

How much is kei car tax in Japan?

You pay two yearly or per-inspection taxes. Both are lower than for a regular car.

Annual tax (軽自動車税). The city where the car is based sets the bill. For a private four-wheel passenger kei, Nerima City lists the FY2026 amounts by first inspection date:

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (総務省) puts the regular-car rate for an engine up to 1,000cc at ¥25,000 a year. Kei cars first inspected 13 or more years ago pay a heavier rate, so check the age on the 車検証 (inspection certificate) before you buy a used one.

Weight tax (自動車重量税). A private kei pays a flat amount whatever it weighs. The Ministry of Finance (財務省) lists ¥3,300 a year at the standard rate: ¥6,600 for a 2-year inspection and ¥9,900 for the 3-year inspection of a new car. Eco-car models can pay less. By comparison, it gives ¥24,600 for a 1.5-ton private passenger car at a 2-year inspection.

What does kei car insurance cost?

There are two layers.

Compulsory insurance (自賠責). Every car owner must have it, and the certificate must be carried when you drive (a digital copy is allowed). The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (国土交通省) lists these kei premiums for contracts starting April 2024 or later, outside the islands and Okinawa:

The rating organization says the average rise across all vehicle types is 6.2%. A regular private car pays ¥17,650 for 24 months now, so compulsory insurance saves you almost nothing on a kei. Our car insurance guide covers the voluntary insurance (任意保険) that fills the gaps, with English claim support by insurer.

Voluntary insurance (任意保険). Insurers price it partly by your car’s model rate class (型式別料率クラス), taken from the model code on the 車検証. Private kei passenger cars have 7 classes, with about 1.7 times between the cheapest and dearest. Regular cars have 17 classes and about 4.3 times. Ask for quotes for the exact model before you buy. We found no official figure for what a typical kei policy costs.

What does a kei car inspection (車検) cost?

The inspection office’s application fee for a standard kei is ¥2,500 (¥2,100 inspection plus ¥400 technical information fee). Add the weight tax (¥6,600 for 2 years), compulsory insurance and any garage maintenance. We found no official source for garage prices, so get written quotes. Weight tax is paid at the inspection, and the 3-year figure applies to a new car.

How does a foreigner buy and register a kei car?

For a used kei, the Kei Inspection Organization asks for:

• the original 車検証 (copies are not accepted)
• proof of your address issued within 3 months: a 住民票 without My Number, or a seal registration certificate (印鑑証明書)
• the application form

The ownership-change fee is free. You need plates only if the car moves to a different registration area. Our guide to buying a car in Japan as a foreigner covers the parking notification some areas require and the loan question. For financing, see car loans for foreign residents.

You also need a valid license. See converting a foreign license if yours isn’t an international permit.

More guides: parking in Japan, car sharing.