Japan Car Tax 2026: Acquisition Tax + Weight Tax + EV Exe...

April 29, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan — Owning a car in Japan involves navigating multiple layers of taxation: acquisition tax paid once at purchase, annual weight tax, annual road tax, and the periodic shaken inspection. For a typical family car, first-year ownership costs above the purchase price can exceed ¥150,000. Understanding these costs is essential before buying any vehicle in Japan.

Japan's Vehicle Tax Structure: An Overview

Japan imposes four main categories of vehicle-related taxation:

Acquisition tax (取得税): One-time tax at purchase, based on vehicle price and engine size
Weight tax (重量税): Annual tax based on vehicle weight class
Road tax (自動車税): Annual tax based on engine displacement size
Shaken inspection (八年式検査): Mandatory periodic inspection with associated fees

These are in addition to parking requirements, compulsory insurance, and fuel taxes already embedded in the price of gasoline.

Acquisition Tax (取得税)

Acquisition tax is paid once at the time of vehicle purchase and is based on the vehicle's assessed value:

Vehicle Type	Engine Size	Acquisition Tax Rate	¥2M Car Tax
Regular passenger car	660cc+	Up to 3%	¥60,000
Kei car (mini-car)	660cc and below	2%	¥40,000
Commercial vehicle	All sizes	3%	¥60,000
EV (until Mar 2029)	Any	0%	¥0

For context, the typical new car price in Japan is ¥2,500,000-¥3,500,000, making acquisition tax ¥60,000-¥105,000 for a standard vehicle.

Weight Tax (重量税)

Weight tax is an annual tax levied based on the vehicle's weight category. It is collected when you renew your shaken inspection:

Weight Category	Annual Weight Tax	2-Year (Shaken) Amount
Up to 500kg	¥500	¥1,000
501-1,000kg	¥8,200	¥16,400
1,001-1,500kg	¥16,400	¥32,800
1,501-2,000kg	¥20,500	¥41,000
2,001-2,500kg	¥23,600	¥47,200
Over 2,500kg	¥25,200	¥50,400

Weight tax is typically paid every 2 years at the shaken inspection, so the biennial amount shown above is the amount you pay at each shaken. New cars first pay shaken at 3 years, then every 2 years thereafter.

Annual Road Tax (自動車税)

Road tax is an annual tax based on engine displacement, collected with your vehicle license renewal:

Engine Displacement	Annual Road Tax
660cc and below (kei)	¥10,800
1,001-1,500cc	¥30,500
1,501-2,000cc	¥36,000
2,001-2,500cc	¥45,000
2,501-3,000cc	¥51,000
3,001cc and above	¥58,000

A 2.0L (2,000cc) car pays ¥36,000/year in road tax. A kei car (660cc) pays only ¥10,800 — the significant difference incentivises smaller vehicles.

EV Tax Benefits Until March 2029

Japan has extended EV tax benefits to encourage electric vehicle adoption:

Acquisition tax: 0% (full exemption) until March 31, 2029
Weight tax: Reduced rate, typically halved for EVs
Road tax: EV rates are lower, around ¥25,000/year for full EVs

After March 2029, EV tax benefits are expected to be reduced — those planning to buy an EV should do so before the deadline to maximise tax savings.

Shaken Periodic Inspection

Shaken is Japan's mandatory vehicle inspection system. All vehicles must pass shaken inspection:

New cars: First inspection at 3 years, then every 2 years
Inspection contents: Safety equipment, emissions, lights, brakes, structure

Shaken Cost Component	Typical Cost Range
Inspection fee (検査料)	¥30,000-¥50,000
Weight tax (biennial)	¥16,400-¥41,000
Auto inspection fee (自動車技術審査機構)	¥1,400-¥2,100
Weight measurement fee	¥1,800-¥2,500
Total per shaken	¥50,000-¥100,000+

For a typical 1,500kg car at 2-year shaken, total cost is approximately ¥70,000 including inspection fee and weight tax.

Total First-Year Car Ownership Cost Example

Cost Item	2.0L Car (¥2.5M)	Kei Car (¥1.2M)	EV (¥4.5M)
Acquisition tax (3%/2%/0%)	¥75,000	¥24,000	¥0
First year weight tax	¥20,500	¥8,200	¥10,200
Annual road tax	¥36,000	¥10,800	¥25,000
First shaken (3yr new)	¥85,000	¥60,000	¥75,000
Registration fee	¥20,000	¥15,000	¥20,000
Total above purchase price	¥236,500	¥118,000	¥130,200

Conclusion

Japan's vehicle tax system adds significant first-year costs above the purchase price. A standard 2.0L car priced at ¥2.5M carries approximately ¥236,500 in additional taxes and fees in year one. Kei cars are significantly cheaper to own due to reduced tax rates across all categories. EVs enjoy acquisition tax exemption and reduced weight tax until March 2029 — making now an excellent time to purchase an EV in Japan. Use our Japan Car Tax Calculator to estimate your total ownership costs.

Disclaimer: Tax rates based on National Tax Agency (NTA) and Ministry of Finance Japan data as of April 2026. Confirm current rates at nta.go.jp before purchasing a vehicle in Japan.

Official Resources: National Tax Agency Japan | Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism | Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Questions

How much is acquisition tax on a car in Japan?

Japan acquisition tax (取得税) is calculated based on engine displacement. For regular passenger cars (660cc and above), the rate is up to 3% of the vehicle price. For mini-cars (660cc and below), the rate is 2%. On a ¥2,000,000 car with a 2.0L engine, acquisition tax is ¥60,000. Smaller 660cc cars pay around ¥30,000 on the same price.

What is weight tax in Japan and how is it calculated?

Weight tax (重量税) is an annual tax based on the vehicle weight category. It ranges from ¥500 to ¥25,000 per year depending on the weight class. A typical 1,500kg passenger car pays ¥20,500/year. Weight tax is typically paid alongside the shaken periodic inspection and the annual road tax (重量税 is separate from the separate acquisition tax and the periodic inspection fee).

Are electric cars exempt from tax in Japan?

Yes. EVs (電気自動車) with an electric motor as the primary drive are exempt from acquisition tax until March 31, 2029. They also enjoy reduced weight tax. This exemption was extended to encourage EV adoption. After March 2029, EVs may receive a reduced rate but likely will not be fully exempt.

What is shaken inspection in Japan?

Shaken (八年式検査) is the mandatory periodic inspection required for all cars in Japan. For new cars, the first shaken is required after 3 years, then every 2 years. The shaken includes safety checks, emissions testing, and paperwork. Total cost (inspection fee + weight tax + other fees) typically runs ¥50,000-¥150,000 depending on the vehicle.

What is the small car tax reduction in Japan?

Japan applies a reduced tax rate for mini-cars (軽自動車, kei cars) with engine displacement up to 660cc. Acquisition tax is 2% instead of up to 3%. Weight tax is also significantly lower. Annual tax is lower too. Kei cars account for about 30% of all vehicles sold in Japan due to their tax advantages and favourable parking regulations.

How much is annual road tax for cars in Japan?

Japan imposes an annual road tax (自動車税 for regular cars, 軽自動車税 for kei cars) based on engine size. For a 2.0L petrol car, annual road tax is ¥39,500/year. For a 660cc kei car, annual road tax is ¥10,800/year. This is paid separately from weight tax and is collected annually like a license fee.

How do I calculate total first-year car costs in Japan?

First-year car costs in Japan include: acquisition tax (2-3% of price), weight tax (¥500-¥25,000 annual), annual road tax (¥10,800-¥45,000), shaken inspection (¥50,000-¥150,000 for new car first inspection), and registration fee (¥10,000-¥30,000). Total first-year costs for a ¥2.5M car are typically ¥120,000-¥250,000 above the purchase price.

Do imported cars pay more tax in Japan?

Imported cars face the same tax structure as domestic cars in Japan — acquisition tax, weight tax, and annual road tax apply regardless of origin. However, some imported cars with non-standard engine displacements may fall into different tax brackets. US/European-spec cars (left-hand drive) can be legally registered in Japan but face additional requirements for roadworthiness adaptation.

Japan Car Tax 2026: Acquisition Tax + Weight Tax + EV Exemption