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DRIVING IN JAPAN

 

You will be required to show your original license, a valid international driver's permit and your passport when renting a car through us.  Please be aware that it is not possible to drive in Japan with just your driving license issued in your home country.  You must have the international driver permit booklet with you.  Digital copies, paper copies, photos are not valid, even if issued by the legal issuing entity of your country.  Also, please note, the IDP must be issued by your country's issuing authority.  There are online versions such as internationaldriversassociation.com which are not valid in Japan.  Please ask us if you have any concerns and we highly recommend you send u a scan of your IDP in case you are unsure.

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To drive a vehicle legally in Japan, you will one of the following:

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1. JAPANESE DRIVERS LICENSE

Anyone with a valid Japanese drivers license will be eligible to rent a car through White Fox Car Rental.

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2. INTERNATIONAL DRIVERS PERMIT based on the 1949 Geneva Convention

An International Driver's Permit, only if it is obtained through one of the countries listed below. Please be careful that countries such as Indonesia and China are not signatories of the 1949 Geneva Convention as International driver's permits are not valid.

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AFRICA

Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Faso, Ghana, Leone, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra, South Africa, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe

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AMERICAS

Argentina, Barbados, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Paraguay, Peru, Tobago, Trinidad, United States of America, Venezuela

 

ASIA

Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand

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EUROPE

Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Lithuania, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom of Great Britain, Vatican

 

MIDDLE EAST

Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syrian Arab Republic, Turkey, United Arab Emirates

 

PACIFIC

Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea

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SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

Aruba, Cayman Islands, Curacao, French Overseas Territories (French Polynesia, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Jersey, Macau, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin, Territories of the United States (Guam,etc.),etc.)

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NOTE: You will need to carry your driver's license used to obtain your International Drivers Permit at all times while driving in Japan

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3. A VALID DRIVERS LICENSE from these select countries: 

France, Belgium, Germany, Monaco, Slovenia, Switzerland and Taiwan with a government approved translation of the license.

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Japanese Government approved authorities are as follows:

 

a. The license-issuing authority, or the embassy or consulate of the issuing country.

b. The Japan-Taiwan Relations Association (for Taiwanese license holders).

c. The Japan Automobile Federation (JAF).

 

You are allowed to drive with such foreign licenses for a maximum of one year from the date of your entry into Japan.

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PLEASE NOTE: We ask that you show one of the above licenses, your valid international driver's permit booklet and your passport, at the time of renting. If you do not have the proper licensing, we can not rent out the car to you, and there will be no refunds issued.

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Cancellation Policy:  Due to high demand, bookings are non-refundable.

International Driver's Permits
Please note permits issued by non-official issuers are not valid in Japan.  These include companies such as 
https://internationaldriversassociation.com/

Every country or region has an official issuer of international driver's permits.


When picking up your car, please bring the following:

- A valid international driver’s permit. (It must be the physical booklet, not the digital version or photocopy) 

- A local driver's license 

- Passport

- Credit Card used for payment 
 

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WHITE FOX CAR RENTAL: TERMS & CONDITIONS

 

The Owner represents and warrants that to Owner’s knowledge, the Rental Vehicle is in good condition and is safe for ordinary operation of the vehicle.

 

The Renter represents and warrants that the Renter is legally entitled to operate a motor vehicle under the laws of this jurisdiction and will not operate it in violation of any laws, or in any negligent or illegal manner.

 


The Renter hereby agrees to fill the fuel tank upon returning the car. Failure to fill a full tank will result in a penalty charge of 5,000 JPY per quarter tank of gasoline.
 

 

Renter's responsibility and fees: Renter agrees to charges to their listed credit card.

Lost or Damaged Car Keys: 50,000 JPY

Lost or Damage Ski Rack Key: 10,000 JPY

Dead battery due to lights being left or engine not full turned off: 20,000 JPY

Roadside Assistance By White Fox Staff: 20,000 JPY

Lost Snowbrush: 3,000 JPY
 

 

The Driver has been given an opportunity to examine the Rental Vehicle in advance of taking possession of it, and upon such inspection, is not aware of any damage existing on the vehicle other than that notated by separate Vehicle Damage Report.
 

 

If the Rental Vehicle is damaged or destroyed while it is in the possession of the Driver, the Renter agrees to pay 100,000 yen deductible and any other costs not covered by insurance that may be incurred via the credit card listed below. Another rental vehicle may not be available during high demand periods.  The renter agrees to park under safe areas and avoid areas where there may be large tree branches falling or other natural occurrences.  Damage caused by natural causes such as wind, snow, rain, etc, are not covered by the car insurance and will be paid by the driver.

 


The renter agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Owner for any loss, damage, or legal actions against Owner as a result of renter's operation or use of the Rented Vehicle during the term of this Car Rental Agreement.  This includes any attorney fees necessarily incurred for these purposes.  The renter will also pay for any parking tickets, moving violations, or other citations received while in possession of the Rented Vehicle.

 


All renters are required to provide the following credit card information.  The car will not be released to the renter without this.  White Fox Car Rental may put through a 10 yen charge to test the credit card.

CREDIT CARD:

EXPIRY DATE:

CVC:

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INSURANCE COVERAGE

Personal Injury

Unlimited coverage for each person (including vehicle liability insurance up to 30,000,000 yen)

*Compensation for injury of a third party
 

 

Property Damage Compensation

20,000,000 yen per accident (100,000 yen deductible paid by renter)

*Compensation for damage to a third party’s car, utility pole, building, etc.

*Renter responsible for 100,000 yen deductible

 


Vehicle Compensation

Actual cash value of the vehicle (100,000 yen deductible paid by renter

*Compensation for damage to the rental car

*Renter responsible for 100,000 yen deductible

 


Passenger Compensation

Maximum 30,000,000 yen per person

*Compensation for injury, death, or long-term side effects to passengers (including driver) due to accidents while in the car

 

  • The "renter" or the "driver" shall bear the cost of damage for which insurance money is not paid or damage exceeding the amount of insurance money to be paid based on the provisions in the preceding paragraph.

  • If the Company has paid the cost of damage to be borne by the "renter" or the "driver" based on the provisions in the preceding paragraph, the "renter" or the "driver" shall immediately reimburse the Company for that cost.

 

 


Instances Not Covered by Insurance/Compensation System

The accident is not reported to the police (there is no accident report).

Accidents occurring when someone other than the applicant at the time of departure is driving.

Accidents occurring while driving without a qualified international driver's license.

Accidents occurring while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Accidents occurring while driving during an extended period of rental without permission.

Accidents or Damage Occurred from natural causes like wind, falling branches, snow or similar.

Violation of other items listed in the rental agreement, etc.

Example: Theft of the vehicle while the key is in it

 

Note: The amount of damage that is not covered or paid for by the compensation above shall be covered by the renter.  Insurance does not cover any accidents specified by the disclaimers in the insurance agreement. Insurance may also not cover accidents for which an accident report has not been issued by a police officer.

 

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Other Costs Covered by Customer

Not Included in Insurance/Compensation System

Flat Tires or Loss/Damage to Hubcaps Only


Note:

The replacement of a tire with a spare tire is to be done by road service offered by a designated nonlife insurance company or by the customer themselves.

In instances where the vehicle has popped a tire and is not equipped with a spare tire, please request road service offered by a designated nonlife insurance company, and do not use the puncture repair kit found in the vehicle. The vehicle will be carried to the nearest repair shop, etc. via the road service (free of charge if within the specified conditions of the nonlife insurance company's road service).

Should use of the puncture repair kit found in the vehicle be necessary as an emergency measure, the cost of the puncture repair kit found in the vehicle is paid by the customer.


Repair costs to damaged tires, costs of labor and the cost of new tires if a tire exchange is necessary, and the cost for lost hubcaps are paid by the customer. Damage to wheels is covered by the Non Operation Charge.


When replacing tires with new ones, please contact the pick-up location beforehand. As a principle, damaged tires are to be replaced by the equivalent type.

 

 


Non Operation Charge (NOC)

In the event of a car accident, car theft, car breakdown or stains/damage to the car, if the car needs to be repaired and/or cleaned, the fees below will be charged as compensation for business interruption for that period.

(In JPY; includes 10% tax)

Able to be driven/Driven back to the scheduled shop: JPY 20,000

Unable to be driven/Not driven back to the scheduled shop: JPY 50,000

Note: If the car is able to be driven but is not returned to the shop (left on the road, etc.), JPY 50,000 is charged.

 


Above is a basic understanding of the car rental insurance policy of Sompo Japan.  If there is any misunderstanding or mistranslation, the original policy in Japanese will take precedent.

 


In case of accident, you or the other driver involved in the accident must call the police and wait for a police report to be filed.  Do not leave the scene of the accident as this will void the insurance policy and you will be liable for the full cost from the accident.

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