I could research this further myself and I recall reading a posting somewhere about getting an ETC card but this forum is too easy to use. (Note to newbies: Electronic Toll Collection for the auto toll collection on public toll roads.) I know how to get the system itself but things have changed in the last three years that I first tried to get one. At that time you could only get a card if you had a Japanese credit card. (A former girl friend bought me a system for my birthday and I was to reimburse her for the use. For some reason, a week later her mind went to Venus and she ripped the thing out of the Jeep and hasn't been heard from since. But that story's for another time over beers.) That's not the case anymore and a while back a friend explained what he had to do to get the card but I fell asleep about 20 minutes into the explanation!

Over the holidays I took a trip in an ETC-equipped car and was amazed that the tolls were about 40% cheaper than paying in cash. Motivator? You betcha. So now, on behalf of myself and others who've expressed the desire, I'm soliciting information on the process for us Gaikokujin. Please, nothing pertaining to how the Japanese do it ("well, my wife says..."). I already know all that.

TIA,
Gary

Hey Beck - I've got a teacher friend who just went through this drill. I'll ask him, get all the details and get back on the blog here with the info.

Thanks, Blaster. Ain't this fun?

Gary & Mike, the process is simple and you have three options available. I know of a GS-13 (whatever they are called now let's just say GS-13) who never has been a resident of Japan. He went to Daiei to the OMC counter and applied for their Credit Card & was approved (Japanese skills a must) and his only guarantee was that he has been in Japan since like 60s or 70s (I don't recall, but a long time). This is probably the hardest option.

Second, you can get an American Express from AMEX US and after you have received it have them convert it over to AMEX Japan (I have only heard it done with Platinum) and then get AMEX to issue you an ETC card.

The third option is to get the ETC PrePaid card from ETC. (http://www.go-etc.jp/personalcard/p...ard.html). This requires you to put a deposit down of around ¥60,000. They will not take the monthly tolls out of this unless you fail to pay. They will send you a bill for the amount used that month and you pay it such as a credit card. Then when you decide to no longer have ETC you simply turn in the card and get your deposit back. This process requires you to go to an ETC Toll Plaza and get the application, have a Japanese person (or capable) to write the application in Kana/Kanji for you & a Japanese bank account that you can pay the bill from (this is a requirement). After you get the application filled out with all your details/bank account details the process is about two weeks long. A newly arrived USCS guy at SPAWAR got this card within the first month of his arrival in Japan and had a lady at the office fill out the application.

I think you can even call ETCパーソナルカード事務局：TEL 044-870-7333（土日、祝日、年末年始除く9:00～17:00） and have them send you the application (again Japanese capability required)

Hope this helps!

Great info provided Wilson, Thanks! I have had friends that got this as well. It will definitely help the community in the future.

Thank you, Bro! Copied and pasted into a doc and saved in my files.

Thanks, Adam.

BTW, you guys suppose any girls are reading this? \^^/

Yeah, definitely why not. There are a lot of spouses, and females registered on the website. I think they read a lot of posts, probably almost all of them to keep up with information.

Just look at a post that is done in a day, usually by the next day its been viewed over 100 times.. Someones reading it..

Gary, I believe that went over Adam's head or his use of sarcasm isn't conveyed well.

Oh, hey, Mike. Go ahead and ask them anyhow. If all agrees, great. If not...hee, hee, hee. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

Thanks again.

Probably right... I guess I was lost...

You guys crack me up. Adam? I'm going down the hill to my izakaya in a bit. Shall I have an ocha wari for ya? Oh, hell. I'm feeling generous. I'll have one for "all y'alls" (always loved that kind of talk; all y'alls).

Yes girls read this; more like women read this.
I saw the title on FB an immediately clicked over. At the moment I don't drive the yoko yoko, shuto, etc.enough for me to get the ETC; I will forward this information on to my hubby as he drives all over the place. LOL I'm cheap, I'll still suffer taking Rt 16 or Rt 16 off the Yoko Yoko to get to Negishi. XD

Thanks for the info!

I really think the ETC is a great deal. They offer cheaper rates late at night, and into the morning, as well as weekends.. I have heard of friends driving very very distant in Japan, and it only cost a few thousand yen.. So cheap!

For all those that will be in Japan for a few years, its worth investing in the ETC system..

Weekend toll discount is going away 22 January and being replaced by another temporary "trial" discount program where the max fee is supposedly going to be 2000 yen for both ETC & regular toll road customers. Again this is a trial so who knows how long it will last. I definitely loved the weekend half off for ETC and I absolutely put it to use. Made more trips to Yamanashi, Shizuoka & Nagano because of the price alone.

Sam? Sonit3? (Bob...cure the sarcasm button)
Seriously, Sam. Thanks much. Perhaps you've seen me (and others) being blasted.

I'm still cracking up about your handle. But what's the "3" for?

You made my day. Let's all meet at Adam's party in March! I'm seriously looking forward to it.

Cheap is good. Don't bother.

lol at Beck, ha ha very funny. (kidding)
Yes, I have seen the blasting. /me makes funny gun noises. Being female, I can see their side of it but people have to remember that with forums just because someone posts a comment doesn't always mean it's direct response from the post above. They might be simply responding to the topic.


Speaking of staying on topic. Yeah, I probably won't get it. I might try to take advantage of rental cars instead. Hubby might though he is constantly driving on the expressways. (yes I say hubby 'cause I'm too lazy to type 'my husband') XD


P.S. I've been going by this handle for a right many years. It's usually Samsonite (like the luggage) . the 0 and 3 are the leet speak equivalent of o and e.

FYI, folks. When they first opened the Yoko/Yoko this many years ago they said the tolls would only be there for a few years until the road was paid for...long-assed mortgage if you ask me. I've seen at least three rate increases since 1984. Also, the GOJ is currently investigating the use of highway toll coupons on NEX/AAFES rental vehicles. They say the coupons are for official business and they ARE paying the bill. USFJ says rentals are government vehicles and recreational use supports the troops. Highway system doesn't care because they get paid either way. Also, do the math before renting. In most cases it's good. This one time? In ski camp? Four of use took a 4-day ski trip to Nagano and found that it was cheaper just to take one of the guy's van than to rent.

Posted By Wilson on 05 Jan 2010 08:30 PM
Weekend toll discount is going away 22 January and being replaced by another temporary "trial" discount program where the max fee is supposedly going to be 2000 yen for both ETC & regular toll road customers. Again this is a trial so who knows how long it will last. I definitely loved the weekend half off for ETC and I absolutely put it to use. Made more trips to Yamanashi, Shizuoka & Nagano because of the price alone.

I have an ETC, so doesn't effect me. But...

How do the track a regular toll road user without ETC? These roads are full of tollways that cost less than 2000 yen. How they plan on knowing when you've hit the max?

And the weekend half off discount going away SUCKS. It IS the reason I got the ETC. The convenience was a very close 2nd.

Although, on second thought, 2000 max might save me even MORE money on trips to Fuji.... 2650 one way weekday, 1325 on weekends for a weekend round trip of 2650.... down to 2000 total?

I could live with that. Especially as we often round trip it in a day.

I would be the SPAWAR guy that Wilson spoke of above. I've been doing some thinking/remembering about my ETC card and the steps taken to get it in hand. Here's what I can remember:
1. Japanese bank account is required for withdrawal of monthly toll charges
2. Get the ETC card application from a toll plaza or the link Wilson provided
3. The application will need to be filled out in Japanese, I seem to remember that a Japanese address is required (may pose some difficulty for those living on base). Also, they may try to call to verify your identity, a Japanese speaker my be necessary as well.
4. When you submit the application, include a copy of your passport and some form of utility bill.
5. Mail application to ETC.
6. They will then email you a bill (your deposit) that you will pay at any convenience store (Deposit will vary depending on how much you will use the card, range is from Y40,000 to Y100,000)
7. After you pay the bill, you should receive the card in one to two weeks.

Thanks George, I wanted to keep your anonymity, but I appreciate you providing the first hand knowledge!

I was interested when ETC came out and took the easy way out and had my Japanese wife do everything but I did see an article in the other paper (don't remember the name) that is right next to stars and stripes but it had a article that told you step by step on how Gaijins could get the ETC card, it told where to go and what to do.. I was going to grab a copy can scan it into my computer as a PDF file but my scanner wasn't working with my windows 7 at the time so I passed on getting a copy of the paper but if someone could dig it up some way and scan it in a PDF format and post it that would answer lots of peoples questions.

I read almost all the threads on this forum, I just don't always have something relevant to insert. I'm not in Yokosuka yet, so I don't know what is what yet.

A coworker of mine recently tried to get the pre-paid type ETC card that I described above. After a couple of phone conversations with ETC, he was told that they will no longer (as of Feb2010) be issuing ETC cards to non Gaijin Card holders. If you are a SOFA sponsored personnel (without a Japanese spouse, you are out of luck). I would still try to get one though.....

I had my Japanese gf call the ETC card issuing companies TWICE, explain that I was SOFA, and as such we do not have the usual gaijin/foreigner ID cards.  They told her what I had to do (copy of bills /passport,...etc) and they STILL declined the application.

After trying for over a year, she finally agreed to get one for me in her name. It took her about 2 weeks!

As for the program where they were supposed to cap the highway tolls at 2000 YEN, I've been hearing that story for MONTHS, & here it is already Sept & its NOT in place.

You could recover the cost of the ETC system with 1 good long trip.  Its well worth the savings if you like getting out & about from base, but good luck trying to attain it if you don't have someone Japanese helping /signing for you.

Has anyone gotten the American Express card that doubles as an ETC card? That sounds like the easier way to go.

Here's what I just posted in the other ETC discussion:

Solved! (at least for me). I got talking to the Japanese secretary at the chapel where I work. She says I can use her card anytime I want (my car already had a card reader). She doesn't use her card too often. Anyway, when she went to pull it out of her wallet she found 2 ETC cards, she didn't even know she had an extra. I get the feeling these are very easy for Japanese to get, you just might find someone with an extra. There has to be a trust relationship, since they get billed & you have to pay them back after the fact. Go join the Japanese-American Society and make some friends! :-)

She also gave some insight into the toll discounts, but it got hugely confusing. It's kinda like, weekends (From Friday midnite to Sunday midnite) there's a discount. The discount is based on the time that you EXIT. so you could start driving at 10 PM on Friday, exit at 12:01 midnite and get the discount.

Also, weekends and Japanese holidays are discounted. She thought there was that 1000 yen all-you-can-drive deal that some people have said expired but maybe her info is old. Discounts are greater if you drive more than 100 km. She's trying to get me full details which I'll post later. But generally, ETC is ALWAYS cheaper than cash which is something that earlier posters were uncertain about.

>" I get the feeling these are very easy for Japanese to get"

True-er words have never been said my friend! I got a friend to get one for me, & she applied AND received it about 2 weeks.

The primary reason that they do not want to issue the cards to SOFA status personnel is because they (retailers /merchants) have ZERO recourse to be reimbursed for unpaid debts once a SOFA person leaves Japan. Docomo used to charge 50000 YEN (roughly $500 USD at that time) as a deposit for SOFA people because so many would leave without paying their last bill & Docomo had to just absorb those charges.

I have my own ETC Card, you just have to set up a Checking account in a Japanese Bank, its like a debit card, keep adding money and connect it to your ETC Account You will probably need help from your Japanese Friend, Wife, or girlfriend, boyfriend, etc.etc.

Has anyone on ACTIVE DUTY not married to a japanese national ever been able to get a bank account with a japanese bank?

Not heard about this guy.... knew this guy... read about this guy...

Ok, I'm not active duty, I'm a contractor (SOFA). I live off base in Iwakuni. And yes, I got a Japanese bank account WITHOUT a Japanese wife. Down here, the housing office helps you open one at the local bank (off base) to help auto-pay your utilities. I have no idea how or if they would give me a debit card. I just use my bank book at access the ATM to pay my bills.

Anyway, i get your point... the Japanese put up all kinds of obstacles to keep gaijin from doing this kinda thing.

Posted By ThaiGuy on 04-30-2011 7:12 PM
 
I have no idea how or if they would give me a debit card. I just use my bank book at access the ATM to pay my bills.

Anyway, i get your point... the Japanese put up all kinds of obstacles to keep gaijin from doing this kinda thing.

We were able to get the prepaid ETC card (w/ deposit), but I don't think they are letting SOFA sponsored people even have those anymore.  It was impossible for us to get a regular ETC credit card because we didn't have an alien (gaijin) card. We always ran into a roadblock every time we went down that route. 

I have a feeling they don't give us SOFA people the ETC card anymore because too many irresponsible and dishonest military/civilian members kept skipping out on their last bill once they left the country.  It's shameful that people behave this way.  Well, I believe in karma.  What goes around comes around, and it always catches up with people.......like our current "winner" is experiencing right now. 

Thanks Thai Guy.

I have not heard of anyone being able to get a bank account with the help of housing here in Yokosuka. I will ask housing about this.
When my japanese friends were trying to help me get my own card and they called many ETC numbers. It came down to if I had a japanese bank account I would be able to get a card. The american express card from USA office apperars to have the ic chip contacts on a slightly different spot than etc cards. I ordered my AMEX ic chip card last night. So i will try to see if that works when I get it. The person i talked to said it should work with card readers in Japan. But looking at pictures of both cards I have my doubts. If it does not work I will see about getting it switched to japanese AMEX card like some have mentioned before.

If you got a lot of Japanese friends, some of them probably have more than 1 card. Just ask one of them to let you use their card? The Japanese secretary in my office has 3 cards and gave me one semi-permanently.. BUT... I don't run up a balance like that guy in the other discussion. I pay her in full each Monday whenever I use it.

How does that work....I mean, using someone else's card? I thought that the card and/or the unit itself had to be configured for the vehicle for which it is used. ETC is not only used to take advantage of the different discounts but also to pay for non-discounted tolls which are usually based on the vehicle category. One of my pet peeves is having to pay more for my vehicle just because of the plate.

How does that work....I mean, using someone else's card? I thought that the card and/or the unit itself had to be configured for the vehicle for which it is used.

Once the unit is configured inside the car, ANY valid ETC card can be used inside the unit.


One of my pet peeves is having to pay more for my vehicle just because of the plate.

Welcome to Japan. So you think a scooter should pay as much as an 18 wheeler truck?

chupacabras,

All ETC cards are dedicated for ETC use. They aren't credit cards even the outlook of their IC chips are very similar. That aren't related which country the card was issued. American Express' credit card issued in Japan CAN NOT be used as ETC card. (American Express issues their brand's ETC card, though.)

ThaiGuy
I have been using an ETC card since Sep 2010 that one of my Female Japanese friends got just for me.
But as I think you pointed out in another post relationships change. So I rather get one of my own if at all posible.


Okumura
I not sure if I understant what you saying.
1- Are you saying that the card I ordered probably will not work as I suspected not just because of their not so obvious physical differences but because it's not a true ETC card?

2- And only Japanese american express company can offer a true ETC card?

"chupacabras"

IF you are in Yokosuka, I will say go down to YOKOHAMA BANK, right next to chuo station, you can easily open a Japanese saving account there even with your PSC Address, all you need to do is get an "Hanko" Passport, ID and any old mail that shows your address. They will give you Passbook on the spot and mail your debit card to your PSC Address.
You can also do the same at the Japan Post Office Bank, but with this you will need an off-base address with utility bill. Name on the Bill doesn't have to be your name but make sure its an address you have access to because that is where your bank card will be mailed to.

Having this Account DOES NOT guarantee you ETC Card if you are SOFA Sponsor, ETC will come down to Allien Card which you don't have, so thats another road block.
Best way is to ask a Japanese friend who trust you enough, its very easy for Japanese to get, my coworker got it for me off his Credit Card after I got Prepaid one since I needed 2 cards.
Tell your Japanese friend to order you a separate ETC Card off his Credit card, this way your ETC bill will come separately each month with mixed up with what he spent on his Credit Card.This will be a ETC card for ETC purpose only. Or have him do a Prepared one for you in his name, this way you cannot run away with unpaid bill.
This is how it works, after opening the account, you will deposit 40,000yen with ETC company, you will be able to use 32,000yen every calendar month, at the end of the month they will debit your account with whatever you use that way your 40,000yen deposit in intact, so IF you default payment then you deposit will be used instead.
At the end of the day when you ready to PCS, you will get your full deposit back.
You can also increase your deposit up to any amount depending on how much you use highways plus you will still get all the discount benefit with a prepaid account.


"JimotonoGaijin"

ETC Cards are issued based on vehicle category used when applying for the card. This cards can be used in any vehicle in this category, for example if you take a Japanese Taxi, you can give Taxi driver your ETC card to used since you have to pay Toll fee separate from Taxi fare.
But misuse of this is a big criminal offense, for example using a card meant for Bikes on regular cars or using a car category card on Big Trucks.

Thank you Phyl for the detailed instructions.

chupacabras

You interpret me in both points 1. and 2. correctly.

JimotonoGaijin and Phyl,
ETC cards are not related to any vehicle categories. Instead, ETC equipments are programmed to the vehicle category which are installed on.
I have a 200cc motorcycle and 2 cars in different categories - regular class and Kei class all are ETC installed. I use one ETC card for all of them and work correctly. I use my ETC card with regular car, regular car toll is charged. I use the same ETC card with my motorcycle, motorcycle toll is charged.