I was dropping my son off at Yoyogi Park. After he left, I noticed he took the wrong bag. The bag he took contained my wallet. I quickly parked and went to check if parking was free since it was a Saturday. A random Japanese man that just parked also kindly informed me that parking was free because it was a holiday. Relieved, I ran to find my son and retrieve my wallet. The entire process took about five minutes.
When I returned, I found a yellow ticket on my car. The Japanese man and his colleagues had just finished issuing it. Since I only got my license a few months ago, I want to avoid any points. I've heard that the process involves going to the police station to get the points.
Additionally, I'm currently extending my visa and waiting for my new card. I've heard that dealing with the Japanese police can be challenging, and I don't want to risk any issues with my immigration status. I have the necessary documents, like the paper stamp in my passport, but I prefer to avoid any interaction if possible. Has anyone had similar experiences or have any advice?
by Playful_Star_4048
9 comments
The Japanese man informed you the parking was free and then him and a colleague gave you a ticket?
My advice is to read the no parking signs… Why would you ask a complete stranger? Chalk this up to a lesson learned, go pay your bill and be on your way.
Don’t worry it’s only one point plus the fee 10,000-12,000yen. They give you a slip to pay at the bank or post office.
If you already have a visa it’s stamped on the back, you’ll be fine.
Police station police are actually more helpful than the one Patrolling the streets!
Don’t pay at police station if you want to avoid losing points; go to the post office instead as they cannot dock points from your license.
As someone else has mentioned, don’t go down to the police station. You should get the payment slip for the fine by mail which you can then pay without loss of points.
Also, this incident will not affect your visa renewal.
>The entire process took about five minutes.
I think you were maybe away longer than you think you were away. Typically, those guys take longer than that to issue a ticket even *after* they find your car. Plus there’s a “grace period” to give you long enough to find the pay & display machine, pay and bring the ticket back to your car.
Maybe your car’s dimensions were 1mm or more over the lines? They’re super picky about that. Real a*****e move, but that’s what they do.
Wait, so the Japanese guy you asked was one of the men who then gave you a parking ticket?!
If you go to the police station, you will receive a blue ticket as an offending driver. In this case, the sanctions are a fine and the assignment of 2 or 3 violation points.
However, if you do not go to the police station, a letter regarding the violation (in which you must explain why you violated in Japanese and send back) and a provisional payment of the fine will be sent to your address. This procedure is for taking responsibility as the owner of the vehicle. Since this owner responsibility is only a financial sanction and not a driver responsibility, no violation points will be assigned.
In summary, the amount of money you must pay is the same whether you go to the police station or not. However, if you go to the police station, a violation ticket will be issued and points will be added to your violation history. It is more beneficial not to go to the police station. One parking violation does not affect your visa.