How it works: 8 simple steps to JapanETCcard

Step 1: Application Submission

Initiate the registration process by selecting the "APPLY FOR ETC CARD" button situated in the top right corner of the webpage. Complete the registration form by providing all mandatory information. Upon successful submission, the system will automatically log you into the website and guide you to the user agreement review and acceptance page.

Step 2: Agreement Acceptance

To proceed, click on the "Begin User Agreement" button. Thoroughly review the terms and conditions outlined in the agreement. Signify your acceptance of the agreement by clicking the designated [X] button.

Step 3: ETC Unit Registration and Vehicle Documentation

This section outlines the process for registering your ETC unit and associating it with your vehicle.

Please provide a copy of your ETC setup document and vehicle registration (Shaken).

JapanETCcard will meticulously cross-reference the information on the ETC setup document with your vehicle title. This verification process ensures the accuracy of the information updated in the ORSE network when you pass through toll gates.

For your convenience, JapanETCcard offers four methods for submitting the required documentation:

1. Hand-deliver the documents to a local ETC office (currently limited to the Yokosuka ETC Office).
2. Utilize the online form to scan and upload the documents.
3. Scan the documents and send them via email to [email protected]
4. Capture high-quality photographs of the documents using your mobile device and email them to us.

1. Vehicle Title Registration (Shaken)
This essential vehicle registration document is typically stored within the vehicle itself. Verify that the vehicle title has been transferred to your name. In the event that you have recently acquired the vehicle from a third party, it is imperative to visit your local Land Transportation Office (LTO) to update the paperwork with your personal information. The LTO will utilize this accurate information to update your ETC setup document accordingly.

2. ETC Setup Document
If your vehicle is not currently equipped with an ETC unit: You will need to complete the entire installation process from the beginning. Visit a reputable automotive center, such as AutoBacs or YellowHat, and select an ETC unit from their available inventory. Request professional installation and activation of the unit for your specific vehicle. Be prepared to present a copy of your vehicle registration paperwork. The estimated costs for ETC installation and setup are as follows:

• ETC Unit: ¥6,000 - ¥12,000 (price varies based on the selected model)
• ETC Unit Installation: ¥5,500
• ETC Unit Activation Setup: ¥2,700 to ¥3,500 (price may vary depending on the specific AutoBacs or YellowHat location)

 

If your vehicle already has an ETC unit installed: Visit a trusted automotive center, such as AutoBacs or YellowHat, and request the ETC setup process for your existing unit. Provide a copy of your vehicle registration, and the automotive center staff will complete the necessary ETC form. The cost for the re-setup process typically ranges from ¥2,700 to ¥3,500, depending on the specific AutoBacs or YellowHat location.

For Our MOFA Customers
If your vehicle does not currently have an ETC unit installed: You will need to complete the entire installation process from the beginning. Visit a reputable automotive center, such as AutoBacs or YellowHat, and select an ETC unit from their available inventory. Request professional installation and activation of the unit for your specific vehicle. Be prepared to present a copy of your vehicle registration paperwork. The estimated costs for ETC installation and setup are as follows:

• ETC Unit: ¥6,000 - ¥10,000 (price varies based on the selected model)

 

ETC Unit Installation:

• Regular ETC unit (Y or Kanji Plate): ¥3,500 (tax included)
• ETC 2.0 unit (Y or Kanji Plate): ¥4,400 (tax included)

 

Setup cost for GAI or 外 plate:

• Regular ETC unit: ¥5,500 (tax included)
• ETC 2.0 unit: ¥6,600 (tax included)

 

If your vehicle already has an ETC unit installed: Visit a trusted automotive center, such as AutoBacs or YellowHat, and request the ETC setup process for your existing unit. Provide a copy of your vehicle registration, and the automotive center staff will complete the necessary ETC form.

The cost for the re-setup process is typically as follows:

• Regular ETC unit (Y or Kanji Plate): ¥3,500 (tax included)
• ETC 2.0 unit (Y or Kanji Plate): ¥4,400 (tax included)

 

Setup cost for GAI or 外 plate:

• Regular ETC unit: ¥5,500 (tax included)
• ETC 2.0 unit: ¥6,600 (tax included)

 

Step 4: Security Deposit Payment

JapanETCcard requires a security deposit of ¥40,000 for the following primary reasons:

1. ETC charges are not automatically billed at the time of usage. Our systems extend an unlimited line of credit to clients, as ETC usage charges are billed two months after the actual toll transactions. Billing cycles are processed on the last day of each month, accounting for the previous month's toll usage.
2. The security deposit serves as a secondary means to recover past due charges in the event that the customer's registered credit card is declined. JapanETCcard provides customers with an unlimited line of credit once the ¥40,000 deposit is secured. On average, customers incur approximately ¥20,000-¥60,000 in monthly ETC usage. For instance, if a customer is two months behind on payments and has accumulated ¥60,000 in usage with only ¥40,000 on file, it is considered within acceptable limits. The deposit ensures that our banking representatives have a means to recover outstanding charges from customers who default on their payments. In the event that a customer falls behind on their monthly ETC charges, we will suspend the customer's ETC card and endeavor to settle the outstanding charges using the deposit on file.

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Customers using (Credit Card On File) have the flexibility to choose between two payment plans for the security deposit:

1. ¥40,000 (paid in a single transaction)
2. ¥20,000 (paid in two installments, with the second payment due on the second month of service)

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Customers using (Japanese Bank Transfer) must complete 1 payment for security deposit:

1. ¥40,000 (paid in a single transaction)

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On a monthly basis, JapanETCcard experiences between ¥1,600,000 and ¥2,500,000 in declined payment transactions via customers' registered credit cards or debit cards. In such instances, our dedicated customer service billing department works closely with past-due customers to arrange suitable payment plans and establish alternative payment methods. Customers may request that we reattempt charging the previously used credit card or provide a new credit card number to process payment for their outstanding ETC usage fees. Our team remains committed to providing flexibility and making exceptions for customers who require additional time to settle their accounts.

In the absence of a security deposit, if a significant number of customers were to decide not to pay their ETC usage and fail to provide a valid credit card for payment, JapanETCcard would be obligated to cover these customers' outstanding bills. The deposit serves as a contingency measure to mitigate the risk of customers not settling their outstanding charges.

Proceeding with the Deposit Payment:

Upon successful verification of your vehicle documents, you will receive a notification to log in to the website and complete the deposit payment step.
JapanETCcard processes new batches of ETC cards on a weekly basis, with each batch requiring approximately one week to generate.
To ensure that we receive your ETC card the following week, it is imperative that you complete the deposit payment step.

WE RECEIVE NEW BATCHES OF ETC CARDS TWICE A WEEK (WEDNESDAYS & FRIDAYS).

To facilitate timely processing, we kindly request that customers complete the deposit payment step before the Wednesday or Friday of the given week. This ensures that we will have your card ready for issuance on every Wednesday & Friday of the following week. Once the card arrives at our office on Wednesday & Friday, we will promptly ship it to you on the same day. You should expect to receive the card within 1 to 3 days, depending on your location within Japan. If you prefer to collect the card in person at our local Yokosuka ETC office, that option is also available.

For a comprehensive schedule of ETC card deliveries and expected dates for receiving the next batch, please refer to this link.

Step 5: Providing Shipping Information

To ensure prompt delivery of your ETC card, please log into your account and provide your accurate physical shipping address. JapanETCcard receives ETC packages at our office every Wednesday & Friday. To expedite the shipping process, we require your shipping address to be readily available. Once your card is sent, you should expect to receive it within 1 to 3 days.

Please be advised that JapanETCcard collaborates with reputable Japanese shipping companies to deliver your welcome package.

Customers incur no additional costs for package delivery, as it is included in the initial setup process. To guarantee timely delivery, we MUST have a physical address location, either on or off the base.

Please note that post office boxes on base CANNOT BE USED as a delivery method. While packages can be delivered to a command on the base, we require the specific physical building number.

Deliveries can be made to any location on base, provided that we are furnished with the physical building numbers. If you opt to have the package delivered off-base to a Japanese address, we can arrange delivery to any location throughout Japan without any complications.

When providing your contact information, please include a valid telephone number in case the delivery company needs to reach you. As the delivery company will be calling from a Japanese mobile phone, kindly remember to include the Japanese prefix when supplying your phone number.

For on-base addresses, please be aware that the shipping company cannot guarantee delivery at a specific time. Although specifying a preferred time is still recommended, it cannot be guaranteed.

Please select one of the following preferred delivery time windows:

1. Before 12:00 (noon)
2. 14:00-16:00
3. 16:00-18:00
4. 18:00-20:00
5. 19:00-21:00

 

The following list outlines which bases are authorized to receive deliveries and which are not.

Shipping Information Below: Last Updated: 11/2/2023

Mainland Japan

YES:

1. Atsugi
2. Camp Zama
3. Ikego
4. Iwakuni - Deliveries can only be made between 12:00-15:00 (alternatively, you may request to pick up the package from the shipping company's office or have it left at your door)
5. Misawa - Deliveries can only be made between 12:00-15:00 (alternatively, you may request to pick up the package from the shipping company's office or have it left at your door)
6. Sasebo Main Base
7. Yokosuka (If you prefer to collect the package from our office, please inform us accordingly)

 

NO - But will meet you at the Main Gate:

8. Camp Fuji (Work address)
9. Negishi
10. Sagamihara
11. Sasebo Hario Housing
12. Yokohama North Dock
13. Atago Hills

 

NO - Please visit the nearest shipping company's office:

14. Camp Fuji (On-base house address/Black Cat office)
15. Yokota - Sagawa Main office located outside Gate 2 of Yokota base

 

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Okinawa

YES:

1. Kadena (Typically between 13:00-17:00 every day, except Sundays)
2. Camp Kinser (Work address / Usually before noon on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays)
3. MCAS Futenma
4. Camp Foster (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, typically between 14:00-16:00)

 

YES - But highly recommended to arrange pickup:

5. Customers on Camp Hansen and Camp Schwab will receive their packages 48-72 hours later than others due to the shipping company's schedule. We highly recommend requesting to pick up the package from the nearest Yamato Black Cat office to ensure quicker receipt.

 

NO - But will meet you at the Main Gate:

6. Camp Kinser (House address / Please specify the preferred time frame)
7. Camp McTureous
8. Camp Courtney (Main gate or Gate 3 / Typically after 16:00)
9. Camp Shields

 

NO - Located close to the base, please visit the nearest Yamato Black Cat office:

10. Camp Lester

 

Base access confirmation required upon request:

11. Fort Buckner
12. Naha
13. White Beach
14. Torii Station
15. Camp Gonsalves
16. Camp S.D. Butler

 

NOTE: For customers

• Who need to meet the delivery company at the gate but don't have a Japanese phone number
• Who cannot meet the delivery person due to work commitments
• Those who live on base and do not have a Japanese phone number
• Who are not available to provide a signature upon delivery

 

Mainland Japan (Companies We Use): YAMATO BLACK CAT or SAGAWA Shipping company
Request to pick up your ETC card at the nearest location, or they will deliver it to your designated address.
Note: We will provide a map upon request for picking up at their locations.

Okinawa Customers (Companies We Use): YAMATO BLACK CAT (Only) - We do not use SAGAWA in Okinawa.
Request to pick up your ETC card at the nearest location, or they will deliver it to your designated address.
Note: We will provide a map upon request for picking up at their locations.

Step 6: ETC Card Activation and Usage

Upon receiving your ETC card, simply insert it into your vehicle's ETC unit. Ensure that the black arrow on the card is pointing away from you. When inserted correctly, the card should illuminate BLUE or GREEN. If the light turns red, the card is inserted incorrectly; remove it and reinsert it in the proper orientation.

For your initial trip using the ETC card, we recommend keeping the distance under 20 kilometers. Once you have successfully completed this first journey, we will mark you off the list. After experiencing the convenience of the ETC card, you will undoubtedly prefer it over traditional toll tickets.

Step 7: Monthly Billing

On the last day of each month, you will be billed for the monthly service fee and any ETC usage accrued during the previous month of driving. Please note that billing is always two months behind. For instance, ETC usage for March will be billed on April 30th, while April's ETC usage will be billed on May 31st.
You have the flexibility to log into your account at any time and update the credit card information on file.

For the most up-to-date information on our services and associated fees, please visit our Pricing & Fees page.

Step 8: Service Cancellation and Deposit Refund

If you wish to cancel your ETC service, simply log into your account and navigate to the "MY ACCOUNT" section. Select the "Cancel ETC Service" option and specify the date on which you would like your ETC card to be deactivated.
You are not required to return your ETC card to us. However, before your deposit can be refunded, you must settle all outstanding charges. The available refund methods are outlined on our Pricing & Fees page.
For example, if you cancel your ETC card service on July 22nd, you will still be responsible for paying the ETC usage charges for the month of July, with the final billing cycle occurring on August 31st. Once your account is paid in full, the security deposit will be refunded to you via one of the methods listed on the Pricing & Fees page.