Background Paper – Japan Automobile Imports Association, 
Motor Vehicle Certification System

Certification procedures for imported automobiles in Japan have three systems presently, the "Type Designation System," the "Type Notification System," and the "Preferential Handling Procedure for imported motor vehicles."

1. Type Designation System 

This system applies to passenger vehicles, etc. sold in large quantities in Japan. It suffices for the type designated vehicles to be inspected by the importer, etc. at the time of completion, eliminating the need to submit actual vehicles for the subsequent inspections. Under the current system, examining sample vehicles and documents as well as manufacturer’s quality control system for uniformity of products at the time of applying for Type Designation beforehand allows such simplified procedures as described above.

We have further simplified and streamlined the system in response to European and American demands, adopting such measures as dispatching examiners to overseas automobile manufacturers and supplementing test items at designated foreign vehicle testing organizations.

Moreover, the Japanese government acceded to the UN/ECE 1958 Agreement in November 1998, in response to the increase in the international trade of automotive devices and the standardization of devices in the domestic market. The agreement is aimed at the harmonization and mutual recognition of the standards, which entailed an introduction of the type designation system of devices in Japan. Under this system, inspection of the type designated devices is waived in the examination procedure for obtaining vehicle type designation in Japan.

2. Type Notification System

This system has been utilized widely for large-sized trucks and buses in which a wide variety of specifications is required. Under this system, sample vehicles are submitted for inspection. When initial inspection is conducted at a later date, equivalence of each actual vehicle with the sample vehicle is verified, and examination of quality control system is eliminated accordingly.

3. Preferential Handling Procedure for Imported Motor Vehicles(P.H.P) 

The Preferential Handling Procedure for imported motor vehicles has been provided to promote imports of vehicles and applies only to imported vehicles which are sold in small quantities in Japan. This system follows an even simpler procedure than the Type Designation System, because the requirement to submit sample vehicles for each imported vehicle has been omitted, and the documentation that must be submitted has been simplified.

The number of vehicles that may be sold according to this procedure is limited to 2,000 per year and vehicle type. On condition of an early transfer to the Type Designation System, the limit is widened to 3,000 per year and vehicle type.

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