Japanese Imported Cars

[GaryFlan]

Do you know the little japanese sticker that appears on most jap import cars? Well I would like to know what exactly this is, is it a japanese tax/insurance/mot certificate? Or is it placed on the car while shipping? The sticker is nearly always on the back window... THanks, Gary

[tortolano]

Well my neighbour has an oldish Corolla estate, which is JUST different enough to make you look at it twice. It's an import and has the sticker you mention. He thinks it is a quality control mark perhaps?

[GaryFlan]

Thanks for your reply, I am not too sure what it is for, but it is on nearly all japanese imported cars I have seen in Ireland. I was talking to a friend thats in the car trade about it, and he has no idea either. I think it is to do with what I mentioned or what you have mentioned, but which one?

[tortolano]

My neighbours car is one which been in use in Japan and then imported privately. I remember years ago Datsun cars always had a little sticker in the window with 'OK ' in a styalised type, upon it

[GaryFlan]

Talking to myy friend thats in the car trade last night, and he reckons its tax or something like that, the reson being is the sticker on his jap import car seems to be almost glued on to the back window. Still I am no closer to finding out what its purpose is.... Anyone ???

[bluedolphin]

It is the sticker that denotes that the car has undergone a roadworthiness test which is mandatory in Japan. It is called ShaKen...Sha is abbreviated for vehicle and Ken is from the Kensa which means to test.....Got this info from a Jpnse friend.