thanks for the link joshstix. Looks like there is a fair bit of paperwork involved, but would be worthwhile.
i think the big problems are you have to show:
"* A parking approval in the applicant’s name showing that the applicant had permission to park the vehicle
* Compulsory Tax and Insurance "
not sure how much these costs but knowing how expensive everything else is in Japan, it would be a fair bit.
I'm living in kanagawa, which is the area next to tokyo (45 mins by train). Its still congested, so could be a problem.
thu187- hows the japanese going? nihongo wa jouzu ni narimashita?