I was wondering if anyone knew how to transfer a title to someone who isn't in the military? Would I still need a worksheet from vro or just a bill of sale? Much help would be appreciated!

Yes. I've done it. Go through VRO.

If you don't want to involve VRO you can simply de-register the car (fully) at LTO and then hand the non-SOFA person a bill of sale (preferably in Japanese with a Hanko stamp) and they can then register the vehicle in their name. They are then fully responsible for the back taxes required to be remitted.

Posted By Wilson on 02-10-2012 10:45 AM
If you don't want to involve VRO you can simply de-register the car (fully) at LTO and then hand the non-SOFA person a bill of sale (preferably in Japanese with a Hanko stamp) and they can then register the vehicle in their name. They are then fully responsible for the back taxes required to be remitted.

True, Wil, but de-registration by SOFA folks still requires VRO involvement.

There is an old thread on this topic. I (non-SOFA) tried to buy a car from a SOFA person last year but found out that the car had to be deregistered and it wasn't worth the hassle. I inquired with high level bureaucrats at the Shinagawa registry. Possibly, it depends on where the buyer is trying to register the car, but Shinagawa claims otherwise. Some people in the other thread claim it is possible.

Thus, if you are selling the car then the other party will effectively view it a deregistered vehicle. The shakensho serves as the title for normally registered cars, showing ownership of the vehicle. I think you guys have something akin to a US title.

Posted By gbeckwith on 02-10-2012 10:55 AM

Posted By Wilson on 02-10-2012 10:45 AM
If you don't want to involve VRO you can simply de-register the car (fully) at LTO and then hand the non-SOFA person a bill of sale (preferably in Japanese with a Hanko stamp) and they can then register the vehicle in their name. They are then fully responsible for the back taxes required to be remitted.

True, Wil, but de-registration by SOFA folks still requires VRO involvement.

I didn't go through VRO when I sold one of my cars to a JN.  I just de-registered it at LTO and sold the car.  Then I brought my sticker back to VRO and told them I sold it.  They were confused, but it still worked.

I tried to give one of my Japanese friends a car that was Y plated (about 7 years old from being a brand new car) and to turn it back into a Japanese plated car isn't worth the back taxes, etc...

Hi,

hope someone can help me with a similar question to this. What are the back taxes due on car being transferred to a non SFOA individual?

I have seen a Y plate car I want to buy, but would like to know what costs may be involved to register the car with local Japanese authorities.

Thank in advance for any advice.

Mart

Hi Wilson,  
How long ago did you do that? I've a buyer who is a non-SOFA person interested to buy my car but I've no clue how to go about doing this. According to your thread reply it seems easy. Just going directly to LTO and that's it? And the Japanese buyer could just take over my car and drive away to do all his paperwork with LTO? 
I would appreciate if you could share more or walk me through a little bit more. 
By the way, when the non-SOFA person buys the car from me,  can he continue the JCI?
Looking forward to your reply.

Thank you!

The JCI date is still valid until it expires, if someone wasn't current on road tax, the new owner would get stuck with it as back taxes.

The seller needs to provide the buyer a POA (this is a Japanese POA) which transfers ownership along with all of the other paperwork.

Your responsibilities include de-registering the vehicle which is a visit to to your VRO and scrapping off the base sticker and providing the new owner with the POA etc. The new owner would be required to get temp plates from the their city office, and/or just get new plates at the Land Title Office. The process is just like everywhere else, find the right place place to be at wait in line and hand them some cash.