Road tax returns to Misawa

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  As of April, all Status of Forces Agreement members here are required to pay the annual Japanese Road Tax, which can be conveniently accomplished during Road Tax Week.

In order to pay the road tax, each person owning a standard size, small or other motorized vehicle can pay taxes April 19 to 23 at the Mokuteki Community Activities Center ballroom during designated times.

The mandatory road tax is to help defray road and expressway maintenance costs in the areas where the tax is collected, said Master Sergeant Bernard McCaw, 35th Security Forces Squadron NCOIC of Pass and Registration. The taxes are also used to build new roads, such as the one by the Misawa Airport.

Owners must bring their Japanese title, which must be registered in the owner's name, a valid Japanese Compulsory Insurance certificate, proof of liability insurance, base registration Form 71 and a 2009 Road tax receipt.

"It's going to be an easy process - we've got Road Tax Week down to a science," said Sergeant McCaw. "Different stations will be set up to streamline the process and make it as convenient as possible for everyone."

Japanese Yen is the only accepted method of payment; however, a local bank will be at the center to provide currency conversion for tax payers.

Different tax rates vary and will increase based on the vehicle and its engine size, said Sergeant McCaw, because the larger the engine, the heavier the vehicle will be and will likely tear up the roads easier.

Once vehicle owners pay their road tax, security forces members will issue a vehicle decal on the spot. People who consider opting out on paying their road tax might think twice as security forces officials and gate security will be on the lookout for proof of road tax payment. Sergeant McCaw said drivers who get caught without proof will be immediately cited and may lose their driving privileges. Likewise, vehicles without the new decal will not be allowed on base.

The decal should be placed at the top center of each vehicle windshield, below the JCI sticker, said Senior Airman Mark Hernandez, 35th SFS pass and registration junior NCOIC. Base volunteers at the center will help scrape off old decals and help vehicle owners make their payments. New decals must be visible by June 1.

Alternate avenues to pay road tax include going through the vehicle owner's insurance company, Land and Traffic offices in Towada or Hachinohe City, or local off base banks. However, once they pay their road tax, drivers must take road tax receipts to pass and registration to receive their decals.

"Even if someone is permanently leaving Misawa this month, they are mandated to pay road tax if the vehicle is registered in their name," said Sergeant McCaw, "Even if the vehicle will be scrapped or sold, the tax must be paid."

No power of attorney is necessary to pay another person's road tax if the person is deployed or out of country as long as all of the required documentation is present.
For more information, SOFA members can call the 35th SFS Pass and Registration office at 226-3995.

SOFA members should arrive at the activities center at the following times according to the first letter of their last name:

· Letters A to E should report April 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

· Letters F to L should report April 20, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

· Letters M to S should report April 21, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

· Letters T to Z should report April 22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For those vehicle owners who may have missed their designated times, road tax can also be paid April 23, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.