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| Selling or Disposing of Your Car Selling Your Car The process of changing ownership of a car when you buy one second-hand is called meigi henko (`ύX). The buyer will need - (If the car is a white-plate) gCertification of Parking Spaceh form (Ԍɏؖshako shomei). First get hanko-ed proof from the housing management company proving that you do have a space. Then go to your local police station and get the gCertification of Parking Spaceh form. The police will usually confirm that the parking space is valid by visiting it themselves and then give you a sticker for your car and certification. - Hanko and registration of hanko (ӏؖinkan shomeisho) from your local ward office - Driverfs license and alien registration card The seller will need - Hanko and inkan shomeisho. - gProof of Payment of Automobile Taxh card (ԐŔ[tؖ jidosha nofu shomeisho) - Car registration certificate (Ԍ shakensho) - Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance Certificate (ӕی jibaiseki hokensho) The buyer and seller take all of these documents to the Land Transportation Office (^xriku-un shikyoku) and complete the paperwork. If you purchase from a dealer, they can do this for you at an added cost. It can take around ten days to complete the entire process if you are buying a white-plate car, or one day if you are buying a yellow-plate car. For further information see: Miyagi Land Transportation Office website (in Japanese only): http://www.tht.mlit.go.jp/mg/mg-sub018.htm Selling a Car to Someone Not Currently in Japan If both parties are not present (i.e. your successor doesnft arrive before you leave), you will need to ask someone to do all of this on your behalf ? in which case you may need to organize a power of attorney letter authorizing him/her to do so. Also keep in mind that if youfre selling your car to a new JET, it will take some time before they receive their Alien Registration card and hanko when they first arrive. Since an inkan shomeisho is only valid for three months from the date it is initially issued, the seller should apply for it as late as possible before leaving Japan. If the sellerfs inkan shomeisho expires before the buyer can complete the paperwork, the car ownership cannot be transferred and shaken cannot be done. Ward offices usually wonft reissue inkan shomeisho in these situations, because the seller is no longer registered as a resident. Car disposal If you cannot sell your car then you will need to properly dispose of it. Car sales and disposal companies will be able to help you do this. Ask a friend/co-worker to put you in touch with one of these companies if you wish to dispose of your car. You will need: - Vehicle inspection certificate (Ԍ shakensho) - Your hanko and registration of your hanko from your local ward office - Front and back license number plates - Certificate of Disposal (available from the disposal company, or the licensing centre if you dispose of the car yourself) - If youfre authorizing a disposal company to handle the required paperwork, youfll need a Letter of Attorney - Local tax certificate |