Getting a car in Japan

So I have been placed in a town where a car is mandatory and the issue is I cannot fork out a large amount of money for a car nor can I afford to get a loan due to other financial obligations. I expected the possibility of driving but I also expected to get a company car or something. I am stuck on what to do.. Do I tell this to the BOE or JET?

Edit

Thank you for the advice everyone 🙂

7 comments
  1. Why don’t you either lease a car or wake up early and find another way for a while? I didn’t have a license for a few months on JET. I relied on the infrequent buses in my small town. Everything was okay. I was eventually able to drive again, and that was awesome cause I could sleep in. There are solutions, and I wouldn’t worry too much until you get there. You’ll find a way to get to school until you are able to get a car, but leasing isn’t a bad option either, especially if you don’t know how long you’ll stay at your placement. Some of my coworkers last year had leased cars. Some teachers take a bike to school too. You could consider using a moped as well.

  2. Are there any other JETs currently at your placement? If there are, have you gotten in contract with them? They will know what options will you have to get to your school(s). Your BOE/CO will know as well.

    From my old placement, I needed a car to get around and drive to multiple schools during the week. So my placement had options of buying a used car (paying it off in installments) or renting a car (paying a monthly fee). The JETs in my area at the time were split between owning or renting their cars. Owning was great if you planned to be there in the long run (3-5 years) while renting was great if you only plan to be there only 1-2 years. The option was up to that person regardless how long they stayed.

    If there are already JETs in your placement, they could have a system/routine on how to get used car or rental car. Your BOE and fellow JETs can help you.

    Edit: something to add when owning a car in Japan is they have shaken (Motor-vehicle inspection) that has to be done every 2 years, it is pricy. Definitely check to see the next shaken expected date if you plan on buying a used car. Also with car insurance the younger you are the more expensive is it. The older you are the cheaper it gets. There was a mass difference between my first year vs my final year on JET with insurance.
    Renting a car, you don’t pay for shaken.

  3. I know in Hiroshima the BoE supplies a car that you can rent for your time there. I would contact your BoE and see if thats an option for you!

  4. Tell your supervisor at the BOE since they’ll be the one helping you figure stuff out.

    I was in the same situation as you when I arrived. My supervisor wanted me to buy my predecessor’s car, which was like $3000. That was like my entire moving budget. I totally panicked.

    So I just was honest and said I was physically unable
    to do that. I asked if I could lease a car or even if a car shop would let me pay in installments as my paychecks started rolling in. I ended up leasing, and I pay about 26000¥ a month for a car that includes basically all maintenance costs. My supervisor was totally understanding too. They usually get that buying a car is a huge decision and are very flexible in helping us work things out. I’m sure your BOE will be understanding too.

  5. Start saving and try to buy a car a few months after you arrive. You’re BOE will figure out a solution to get you to class, either by letting you drive a BOE car or by having someone drive you. Try not to stress about it. It might be inconvenient, but it won’t be a huge deal.

  6. Sort of ESID. It’ll depend on your placement and BOE. For sure tell the BOE since they should be helping you with this. Depending on what previous JETs did in your situation, you might be able to get a car for sheep or have to lease a vehicle etc. Informing JET will do nothing other than a reply telling you to consult your BOE. those in my area who had to get a vehicle just bought a car from their pred or got a used car, none of them spent more than 300000 yen. Most around 200000 yen.

  7. A car will cost anywhere between 100,000 to 300,000 depending on what you get and where you are. I don’t think it’s so expensive compared to your JET salary. Buying on installments is an option. Car rental is also an option but likely to be more expensive in the long term.

    I would talk with your BOE and see what the local options are. You’ll probably want to start to save money now though.

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