What is a Japanese License Plate?

Japanese license plates show the prefecture that your car is registered in. The top line shows a kanji representing the office that issued your plate.

The bottom line has a number that corresponds with the vehicle class code. For example, passenger automobiles with engine displacements less than 2000 cc receive 5-series plates.

What is a Japanese license plate?

A Japanese license plate is an official document that indicates the vehicle’s registration information. The first part of the license plate displays the place where the car was originally registered (in Japan, these are called “prefectures”). The second part is a series of numbers and letters. The digits identify the type and purpose of the vehicle, and the letters indicate the owner’s name.

Traditionally, all JDM license plates follow the same format: KK?H##-#, where KK represents the issuing office in kanji, H is a hiragana, and ## is a number from 0 to 9 (leading zeroes are replaced with centered dots). However, different prefectures use their own characters for KK. For example, the prefecture of Shinagawa uses .

To differentiate between different classes japanese license plate of vehicles, the license plate color also has significance. Passenger vehicles above 660cc will display red plates, while kei cars and commercial vehicles below 660cc will display yellow plates.

In addition to standard colors, a variety of other modifications are possible for JDM license plates. For instance, some plates have a unique illumination feature that turns the number into a glowing strip when the headlights are turned on. These are known as Zi Guang Shi nanba, and they’re a legal, Land Transport Bureau sanctioned modification that can be requested at the time of plate issuance.

What does a Japanese license plate mean?

Japanese license plates contain a number of different markings that serve to indicate information about the vehicle. Generally speaking, the top line of a Japanese plate contains the name of the issuing office in kanji, the letter H indicates the class code (usually a 5 for cars up to 2000 cc and 3 for vehicles larger than that), and the number identifies the vehicle type.

Below that, you’ll find a series of numbers and letters that indicate the prefecture where the car is registered. This is an important aspect of the Japanese plates because it allows you to identify where a car is registered by its number alone (assuming that it has a valid Shaken).

Lastly, the bottom portion of the plate contains the name of the vehicle owner in hiragana. The format of the hiragana changes depending on the prefecture.

Another notable feature of Japanese plates is the seal covering the left bolt hole, which is a common deterrent against plate theft. There are also special anti-theft screws on the back of the plate that make it impossible to remove or transfer the plates from one vehicle to another.

The last thing to note about Japanese plates is that some numbers are restricted due to their homophonic relationship to the words for death and “to run over”. For example, the full sequences 42-19 and 42-56 (both of which mean to step on someone) are strictly prohibited.

How do Japanese license plates work?

Japanese license plates are quite structured and provide a lot of information at a glance. For example, the top line displays the name of the issuing jurisdiction in kanji (KK), followed by a single hiragana character and four digits representing the vehicle class code (e.g., 78 for cars up to 2000 cc). The last two digits display the vehicle number in order of its issuance, and all leading zeroes are replaced with centered dots.

There are several types of vehicles in Japan, including kei cars, white-plate futsuus and taxis. Kei cars are limited in engine displacement, overall size and other parameters. White-plate fu tuus are full-sized sedans that can carry up to 11 people. Taxis are licensed as cabs and have a separate number plate that begins with the letter T, followed by four numbers.

In addition to identifying the type of vehicle, the license plate shows the date of registration and an expiration date. A serial number, which can be up to five digits long, is also displayed on each plate.

Some license plates are even glowing, which makes them easier to read in snowstorms or at night. Originally, these glow-in-the-dark license plates were designed to help car fragrance wholesale prevent snow from sticking to the cars; however, today they’re used in conjunction with LED or EL panels to illuminate the numbers on the plates.

Where can I get a Japanese license plate?

In Japan, license plates are issued by the national government’s Ministry of Land Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in coordination with local municipalities. The top line of the plate contains a vehicle class code signified by a number that indicates the vehicle type (passenger vehicles with engines less than 2000 cc receive a 5 series, while those with greater engine displacements get a 3 series).

Next are the two Japanese letters representing the issuing office in kanji, then a four-digit serial number divided into groups of two digits each and separated by a hyphen. Any leading zeroes are replaced by centered dots, and the number is followed by a two-letter abbreviation of the issuing office in hiragana.

The plate color has meaning as well. Passenger vehicles with engines greater than 660cc have green plates, while those with engines below that amount have yellow plates. Kei cars have small, green license plates while commercial vehicles have medium-size plates in black and yellow.

Depending on your taste and the look you want for your car, JDM plates are a great way to give it that authentic Japanese touch. Just make sure to check your state law regarding front and rear license plates, as some states require both, while others only issue back. We have a great selection of JDM import plates that will fit your car perfectly!