For the weapon that goes also by the same name, see Shuriken

Reason for existence

The inspection system is in place to ensure cars on Japanese roads are properly maintained and are safe to be on the road. Another reason is to determine if a car has been illegally modified . Illegally modified vehicles and vehicles deemed unsafe by police will have a red sticker with the following: (Illegal Vehicle) in yellow and the date the vehicle was declared not fit to be on the street. Option 2, May 2005 ISBN 491-0-02-245055-3

Registration and Cost

Before a test can be administered on a vehicle the owner of the vehicle must call up a Shaken center and make an appointment by phone after which the owner must fill out paper work at the center. The cost for the Shaken is broken up as follows: 1,400 yen for paperwork and processing, 25,200 yen for the testing, 29,780 yen for 24 months of validity and 8,090 yen for "Recycling Department" with fees being added depending on the vehicle and it's intended use (business, personal, commercial, etc.). These variables can result in a shaken costing from 100,000 to 150,000 yen or more. In comparison to the costs of the shaken a full diagnostic inspection of the very same Japanese models in the U.S. may cost less than $100 USD (11,800 yen).

Renewal periods for vehicles

• Personal cars and 2 wheeled motorcycles have the first shaken last 3 years with every 2 years requiring a new shaken.
• Personal light trucks they must have a shaken done every 2 years.
• Personal trucks have the first shaken last 2 years with every year requiring a new shaken.
• Business cars require a shaken every year.
• Special vehicles require a shaken every 2 years.

Testing process

The process of the shaken is very simple and the following tests and steps are as follows for government inspection testing (however a licensed garage can also do this):

• 1: An exterior inspection to ensure the vehicle meets Japanese exterior regulations and does not have illegal exterior modifications (ie: extreme body kits).
• 2: A wheel alignment inspection to ensure the vehicle has its wheels in-line and can turn correctly.
• 3: A speedometer inspection to ensure the vehicle's speedometer is accurate.
• 4: A headlight inspection to ensure that the vehicle's headlights are correctly placed and aligned so as not to be in-line of other drivers' sight.
• 5: A brake inspection to ensure the brakes work correctly.
• 6: An exhaust gas/muffler inspection which also includes looking at carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon output along with exhaust noise levels.
• 7: An undercarriage inspection which includes looking at suspension parts.

Should a car not meet any of the tests it will have to be repaired and retested before passing.