Japanese Domestic Market - VIN

VIN

The Japanese market does not apply any of the international VIN systems; instead, Japan uses a Frame Number, which is a string of 9 to 12 alphanumeric characters often identifying a particular make and model, and a serial number of the vehicle. For example, Frame Number SV30-0169266 breaks down as "V30" identifying the model as Toyota Camry/Vista x30; "S" identifying the engine (4S-FE), and 0169266 being the serial number of the vehicle. Vehicle make is not identified at all, though different manufacturers use slightly different frame number structures and it is usually easy to determine make from the frame number. Toyota usually uses 7 digits for serial number while Nissan uses 6, for example.

Because a frame number contains far less information than a VIN, JDM vehicles also use a Model Code as a supplement. SV30-BTPNK, for example, wherein "SV30" would have the same meaning as above, and BTPNK would designate a set of features incorporated in the vehicle.