What does the hiragana on a Japanese license plate mean?

If license plates could only talk! A Japanese license plate bears a locality and a small number topping a hiragana character and up to four large digits below. Hiragana characters lack the suggestiveness of kanji, but still, shi (し) is taboo – “death” again.

How do you read Japanese number plates?

At the top of the plate are two Japanese letters followed by three numerals. The two Japanese letters above the registration indicate the prefecture, in this case Tokyo (Adachi). The number above the registration denotes the vehicle class where a three digit number is issued since 1998.

What does a yellow Japanese license plate mean?

Colors are also used for classification; White plate with green characters: Private vehicles. Green plate with white characters: Commercial vehicles. Yellow plate with black characters: Private vehicles, less than 660 cc.

How do you read Japanese car plates?

What does yellow plate mean in Japan?

kei
There are two main types of cars in Japan: the kei (軽) car, colloquially known as a “yellow plate,” and the “white plate” futsuu (普通), or regular car. Legal occupancy for a kei is capped at a driver and three passengers.

What does a yellow plate mean in Japan?

There are two main types of cars in Japan: the kei (軽) car, colloquially known as a “yellow plate,” and the “white plate” futsuu (普通), or regular car. White plate cars are larger, more powerful, and safer, but more expensive to own than a yellow plate.

What size are Japanese number plates?

Japan Standard Import Size Number Plates 13″ x 6.50″

What Colour are Japanese number plates?

Depending on the type of vehicle, Japan’s license plate background is distinguished by four colors: white, yellow, green, and black. Hanging a white JDM license plate is usually reserved for private cars with more than 1.0-liter engine displacement.

What is ay plate in Japan?

Vehicles owned by personnel with the United States military in Japan under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) have a “Y” on white plates where the hiragana character is normally displayed. These letters indicated the car was imported into Japan under SOFA and was left-hand drive.