Advice needed on moving to Japan

Hi all, never posted in the Asia section. Hope you guys can offer some advice. My company have asked me to do a 3 year assignment in Japan. I'm giving it serious consideration, not sure if I'll say yes, depends on the package & my wife has the final say!!

Anyway, my question is about temporary (3 year) import of my 355 into Japan. I'd like some idea of how feasible this is, costs, tax, insurance and documents required.

Could I just drive on UK licence plates ? Could I get it insured like this ?

The car is registered in UK, but I bought it originally in Italy when I lived there. It's a left hand drive.

I really don't want to sell it unless I have to, or put it in long term storage.

Any advice ?

TIA,

RF

 

Cant really help on the import part. You can drive a LHD car, imported LHD Mercs etc are seen as higher status than there RHD bretheren. Just remember to own a car in Japan you need to own a parking spot as well as get shaken done

just type something like "owning a car in japan" into google and you will find lots of info

 

Good idea, thanks.

Also, good point about parking. I'd be working in Hiroshima and I understand that the parking situation there is less critical than Tokyo. I am getting into the details.

Thanks again.

RF.

 

You may be better off getting a car already in Japan. They didn't seem to be over priced the last time I was there.

But I can give you some advice about being an expat in Asia (since I am one), fight for the following:

Equivalent housing (same size, similar neighborhood to home location)
Western schools for the kids (can get very very pricey)
Tax equalization
# of trips home per year
Language and cultural training
Transportation allowance
Goods and services differential
Business club membership

And if it is a short term assignment, a detailed list of roles and objectives that are measureable as well as a firm timeline.

Let me know if you have any other questions.
Erik
in Shanghai