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To buy an auto in Japan is not that diffficult because Japanese car makers are some of the biggest car operations in the world.  You can have your pick of Toyota, Nissan, Honda etc., including many small economical auto models that are not available in the United States.  Dealerships of the various brands of cars sell them both new, and as a used car. Cars can also be bought at auto auctions. Owning a car can be expensive, from insurance to the car inspections, called “shaken”.  The tolls are fairly high.  For example, on the car route from Nagoya to  Shirakawago and Takayama in Central Japan, the toll is about the equivalent of $35, unless you want to use slower roads without tolls.  If you own a car in a big city, it is imperative to own or rent a parking spot.  Gas is more expensive than in the United States.  In fact, many people in Tokyo, and other large metropolitan areas do not even own a car, and use the extensive system of public transportation all of the time.  Car taxes and insurance are quite high and so are inspections, known as the “shaken” every two years, which start three years after you purchase a new car. 
Shaken is a mandatory safety inspection that costs the equivalent of $100 to $200, plus a weight tax that can be as high as $400.  Annual tax to own a car depends on the miles per gallon of a car and can be from $80 to $400.  There is also a tax when you buy a car.  This is similar to the state auto buying taxes in the United States that can range as high as $3000 to $4000.  As in the states, the car dealership is quite happy to help you fill out the numerous additional forms, the additional insurance you may need on the car body and repairs, and the transfer of ownership in a used car.
     The procedure to acquire used car through auto auctions, seem to be quite similar to that in the United States.  Some people feel you have a chance to get a better price through a car auctions, others feel you a safer dealing with an established used car dealership.

There are also quite a few complaints that the system to get a Japanese driving license can be quite complicated.  Foreigners in Japan have to get a Japanese driving license after one year; they can no longer use an international license.  The written test is reportedly fairly easy if one is prepared, but you also have to take a road test, which is fairly complicated.  United States drivers are allowed to take a simplified driving test, while citizens of Canada and other countries are allowed to avoid the road test entirely.  Most road signs, especially in the big cities are in Japanese and English. Take note that drivers drive on the left side of the road, and the driver sits and drives on the right side of the car, that is, the opposite of that in the United States. It’s possible to get a driving manual in English, and even a driver’s education course in English, but during the actual test, you will have to understand enough Japanese to understand the commands of the driving instructors.  Luckily, these are fairly short, and can be memorized, along with the driving course, in advance.