Is it possible for a retired military to get a base decal for car? I have an Alien Registration (AR) card and am working in the civilian sector (not affiliated with the military) . I have all the proper documents and insurance for the car and will soon have a Japanese driver's license. (Painful experience!) When I asked this question at the Yokota Visitor's Center at the Fussa Gate, I was told that I can't have a base decal because I don't work at the base. I can have day passes, but not a base decal. Is that a correct statement? Since I will be here for over 4 years, it is very inconvenient to rely only on day passes, specially in Yokosuka.

As a fellow retiree, I feel your pain. I work on Yokosuka base, so I'm not in the same situation. I know that in Europe a lot of retiree associations had to battle with the bases to get retirees base decals, but I'm not really sure how they do it in Japan. Sorry I can't help, and keep the posting informed for others in the same situation.

That sounds like they way they operate around here, have you been to the pass and ID bldg across from the post office? That would be where you could get the definitive answer not really the guys at the Fussa gate ID booth. Sometimes you get different answers between them. They wanted to incarcerate me once for not returning a temporary vehicle pass, I actually had previously gave it to the pass and ID guys maybe they just lean on blue ID card holders.

I may have a possible solution for you though shoot me a PM.

No, I haven't been to the pass and ID bldg at Yokota. I'll try them as well as the pass office at Yokosuka. Since I am just in the process of getting my Japanese driver's license, I haven't been pushing the issue. I just can't believe that all the retirees living here do not have base decals, working at the base or not.

I'll send you PM...an alternative solution maybe helpful! Thanks.

At Yokosuka you are entitled to one decal as a retiree as long as you have insurance and a valid JN drivers license.

That's good news! Thank you.