We should all be happy we don't have the "Shaken" compliance requirements they have in Japan. I'm sure 1/3 of the cars on the road would be scrapped.
What is shaken?
It's a mandatory vehicle inspection check that you must perform on your car. If you do not perform an inspection on your car, your car cannot be driven. New cars will not need an inspection until the car is 3 years old. For older cars, it needs to be done every 2 years.
When the shaken inspection is being performed, your car may be subject to repairs to keep the car in good shape. The shaken test checks exhaust emissions, speedometer calibration, tires, lights and indicators, oil leaks, brakes etc. Everything on the car must work. Everything.
It can get very expensive. While shaken is expensive, it does keep your car in good working condition and you will less likely have breakdowns. As the car gets older, the cost of shaken becomes more expensive.
There are three taxes you should be aware of when you own an automobile in Japan. They are:
1) Car Tax - The owner of a car is taxed every year on April 1. The tax amount is decided by the size of the engine displacement and the purpose of the car's use.
2) Car Weight Tax - When your car goes through the mandatory automobile inspection, tax is charged according to the weight of the car. You have to pay the tax at the time of registration, and when you have a compulsory automobile inspection.
3) Car Acquisition Tax - Regardless of whether the car is new or second-hand, you will be charged this tax when you buy a car. You have to pay the tax when you register the car.
Can you imagine all of that in your state?
