moyashi
後輩
- 15 Apr 2002
- 1,571
- 18
- 48
Just thought I'd add a bit more to the J-Cars thread.
Number plates.
There are no vanity plates in Japan. You can however pay for a certain number. I've heard of yakuza buying rights to certain numbers too.
There are 2 types of plates. The typical metal types and [keiko ban] a back lighted type. Really cool but cost about $300.
Back about 10 years ago the lighted types were really popular now those who still use them are on either older cars or young kids showing off. In a sense they've lost their popularity. My wife won't let me get one. hehe, my car just wouldn't fit with the plate besides.
Also, there is a special bolt covering that is supposed to prevent the changing of plates after a hit-and-run accident or some other type of nasty. Currenty I have a pet-bottle cap covering it. A drink character is on it
Next, are the different types of nubmers.
heres what it looks like basically.
Sapporo 500
ka 67-09
of course Sapporo is in Kanji and the ka is in hiragana.
I want to point out the 500 part.
This number comes in different variations: 300,500,800 and 400. these can also just be 2 digits like 30,40,50,80
The 3rd digit got added because there are so many cars on the roads these days.
split down:
30,300 = large engine size or wide bodies (2.2 liters +) new vw bug fits this category
40,400 = I'm not sure, but seems like a 4wd business/commercial designation
50,500 = most cars up to 2.2 liters (I think it includes 2.2 but body width is a consideratioin)
80,800 = cars that have been modified. Big Land Crusiers and Vans from the US. These cars go through cheaper taxation but check ups are yearly.
There is also a yellow number plate. Instead of a white background it's yellow. These are for all cars under 1000cc.
So in conversations you hear, I have a 3-number or yellow number car.
Later, I'll go into [shaken] "car inspection" and [shazei] "taxation".
Number plates.
There are no vanity plates in Japan. You can however pay for a certain number. I've heard of yakuza buying rights to certain numbers too.
There are 2 types of plates. The typical metal types and [keiko ban] a back lighted type. Really cool but cost about $300.
Back about 10 years ago the lighted types were really popular now those who still use them are on either older cars or young kids showing off. In a sense they've lost their popularity. My wife won't let me get one. hehe, my car just wouldn't fit with the plate besides.
Also, there is a special bolt covering that is supposed to prevent the changing of plates after a hit-and-run accident or some other type of nasty. Currenty I have a pet-bottle cap covering it. A drink character is on it
Next, are the different types of nubmers.
heres what it looks like basically.
Sapporo 500
ka 67-09
of course Sapporo is in Kanji and the ka is in hiragana.
I want to point out the 500 part.
This number comes in different variations: 300,500,800 and 400. these can also just be 2 digits like 30,40,50,80
The 3rd digit got added because there are so many cars on the roads these days.
split down:
30,300 = large engine size or wide bodies (2.2 liters +) new vw bug fits this category
40,400 = I'm not sure, but seems like a 4wd business/commercial designation
50,500 = most cars up to 2.2 liters (I think it includes 2.2 but body width is a consideratioin)
80,800 = cars that have been modified. Big Land Crusiers and Vans from the US. These cars go through cheaper taxation but check ups are yearly.
There is also a yellow number plate. Instead of a white background it's yellow. These are for all cars under 1000cc.
So in conversations you hear, I have a 3-number or yellow number car.
Later, I'll go into [shaken] "car inspection" and [shazei] "taxation".