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with English Support for Foreigners!
In recent years, globalization has led to an increase in the number of foreigners residing in Japan. For long-term stays, using car leasing or rental cars can provide greater mobility within Japan. However, many Japanese companies still lack English-speaking staff, and many official documents need to be submitted in Japanese. Car leasing, in particular, involves numerous procedures, posing challenges not only for foreigners but also for corporate personnel arranging cars for expatriates.
In this article, we introduce four rental car companies recommended for foreigners using cars in Japan. We will also discuss the necessary documents and tips for choosing a rental car company, making this a valuable read for both foreigners and corporate personnel arranging cars for expatriates.
Long-Term Stays in Japan: Why Rental Cars Are Recommended
Many people consider car leasing for long-term stays, but for stays of 1 to 3 years, long-term rental cars are also an option. Car leasing requires many documents and handling procedures in Japanese, making it cumbersome.
For rental cars, the required documents are generally just a driver’s license and an ID. Although car leasing might be more economical for stays over three years, rental cars are often more affordable for stays of 1 to 3 years. Not only for foreigners coming to Japan but also for corporate personnel accepting foreign expatriates, considering the option of long-term rental cars could be worthwhile. For those interested in comparing car leasing and rental cars, please refer to this article (※).
The next section will provide more detailed information on the necessary documents for foreigners to rent a car in Japan.
What Documents Do Foreigners Need to Rent a Car in Japan?
Foreigners need the following two documents to rent a car:
- Driver’s License
- Identification Document
Regarding the driver’s license, foreigners from most countries can drive in Japan with an international driving permit, except for a few countries*. People from Taiwan, Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, Slovenia, and Monaco must carry their home country’s driver’s license, a Japanese translation of the license, and their passport.
The Japanese translation of the license must be issued by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) or an embassy, not self-translated.
How to Choose a Rental Car Website
In this section, we will introduce three key points that foreigners should pay attention to when using rental cars in Japan.
Extensive English Support
While many major rental car companies offer English support, their English-speaking services may be limited and not very flexible or comprehensive. Smaller rental car companies often do not provide any English support at all.
Choose a company that offers English support with thorough service. Companies that assign a dedicated representative to each customer are particularly recommended.
24-Hour English Support
Many rental car companies operate only during daytime hours in Japan, which can make it difficult to contact them due to time differences. Additionally, if an accident or breakdown occurs late at night in Japan and English support is unavailable, it can be very unsettling. Therefore, choose a rental car company where the staff or the insurance company staff can provide 24-hour English support.
Four Recommended Rental Car Services for Foreigners
In this section, we will introduce four recommended booking sites for foreigners renting cars in Japan.
Times Car Rental
This service is operated by the highly reliable major rental car company “Times.” They offer support not only in English but also in Chinese. They have a wide range of vehicles available, from kei cars to sports cars and luxury cars. They provide 24-hour emergency support services in English and other languages, so you can use their services without worry in case of breakdowns or accidents.
Nippon Rent-A-Car
This is a rental car service operated by one of Japan’s leading rental car companies. One of Nippon Rent-A-Car’s strengths is the large number of offices. They have 24-hour offices at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, and Kansai International Airport, making it easy to use without worrying about time (New Chitose Airport and Fukuoka Airport offices are open until 23:00). Their booking site was revamped in 2016 to support multiple languages, making it easy for overseas customers to make reservations with confidence.
Nissan Rent-A-Car
With Nissan Rent-A-Car, you can make reservations from their English support page. Reservations can also be made online from the Chinese (Traditional) page. Additionally, for an extra fee, you can use an English-language navigation system, which is a nice feature. This rental car service is perfect for those who love Nissan cars.
ASAHI MOTORS Rent a Car
ASAHI MOTORS Rent a Car is a long-term rental car company known for its extensive English support. Their call center offers 24-hour English support, so there is no need to worry about time differences. They also have partnerships with insurance companies that provide 24-hour English support for accident handling, ensuring that foreigners can use rental cars with peace of mind.
Each customer is assigned a dedicated representative who supports them through their unfamiliar life in Japan, making it especially suitable for foreign expatriates.
About ASAHI MOTORS Rent a Car
ASAHI MOTORS Rent a Car is a long-term rental car service for foreign expatriates, utilized by foreign companies and embassies. It mainly serves foreign corporations and has gained positive reviews through word of mouth. Their vehicle lineup includes not only mid-class cars but also high-class vehicles such as Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, and Jeep.
As the target clientele are foreign corporations, the company excels in English support. Both the reservation staff and the insurance company staff in case of emergencies are available 24 hours a day in English. Their main locations are in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, and Chiba, but they have a network with rental car companies nationwide, allowing for a wide range of vehicle arrangements.
Their pricing plan is straightforward, including automobile tax, inspections, maintenance, and optional insurance. It’s suitable for corporate contracts, making it an excellent choice for corporate personnel looking to simplify expense reimbursement.
Summary
For foreigners staying in Japan for 1 to 3 years, long-term rental car contracts are recommended. Compared to car leasing, the fees are often cheaper, and the procedures are much simpler.
When looking for a rental car company, choose one that offers 24-hour English support to ensure peace of mind in case of accidents or breakdowns. With ASAHI MOTORS Rent a Car, each customer is assigned a dedicated representative who understands the entire process from inquiry to rental, making the reservation procedure smooth. Additionally, the dedicated representatives provide extensive support to help foreigners adapt to their new life in Japan.
ASAHI MOTORS Rent a Car is highly recommended not only for foreign expatriates but also for corporate personnel who want to simplify administrative and accounting tasks.
If you are interested in ASAHI MOTORS Rent a Car, please check out their website.
https://asahimotors-rent.com/
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