We're Loving the Eclectic Police Cars of Japan's Police Force

Jane Lu
· 3 min read
A really tiny Kei minivan, a stylishly speedy
Lexus
LC 500 coupe, and a Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 known as the Godzilla—these models are all part of Japan’s eclectic collection of police cars. 
From navigating narrow roads to chasing down street racers, the police in Tokyo can do it all with these reliable Japanese vehicles
Let's take a deeper look at these three unique Japanese police cars with some help from
Driving
.
Japan’s police force drives around some eye-catching patrol cars.

The tiny Kei van is the cutest patrol car

The quirky, little Kei van is one of the most common police vehicles in this land of bustling, crowded streets. It may not be as fast or stylish as the other cars on this list, but it’s practical for Japan's often exceptionally narrow streets. It's also an economical choice for a daily driver.
Besides being a practical choice, it might also spread a little cheer to Tokyo citizens who see this tiny charmer on the streets. 
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
Find insurance savings

The Lexus LC 500 coupe was made for catching speeders

MORE: These Classic Cars Might See a Jump in Value 
Tochigi is a prefecture (or suburb) within the Greater Tokyo Area where street racing has been seriously getting out of hand. To help combat the problem, Lexus donated an LC 500 coupe to the Tochigi Police Department. This newest addition to the Department's mobile traffic unit is most likely stock—except for the light bar, flashers, and snazzy police paint job, of course.
The coupe offers 471 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque from its 5.0-liter V-8, so drivers should be on their best behavior when they see this powerful beauty. It's certainly one of the most stylish Japanese patrol cars in its official police uniform.
Street racing has apparently been a problem for quite a while in Tochigi, and Driving reported that a 1973 Mustang Mach 1 handled the problem long before the Lexus. The Mach 1 patrolled the streets from 1973 to 1984, intimidating would-be racers with its Cobra Jet V-8. 

The Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 will keep dangerous drivers in check

MORE: The Nissan Skyline R34: The JDM Racing Legend 
The Nissan Corporation is also taking part in the ongoing campaign to combat street racing in Tochigi Prefecture. They donated a GT-R in an effort to stop this dangerous practice. A local resident also did his part by donating another GT-R to the local police.
According to
AutoGuide
, the GT-R R34 gets an estimated 276 hp and is capable of hitting 186 mph. Imagine racing through the streets of Tochigi, looking in your rearview mirror, and seeing this beast coming after you. No wonder it's known as the Godzilla! 
It might be enough to scare you out of your dreams of street glory. The police and honest citizens can at least hope for that result, anyway.

Keep yourself protected on the road with good car insurance

To keep yourself protected from risky drivers on the road, make sure you have good car insurance. It only takes 45 seconds for
Jerry
to help you find the best coverage options.
Jerry is an app that lets you compare quotes from more than 50 top-rated insurance companies to find the right policy for your budget. And when your policy is up for renewal, Jerry will send you a fresh set of quotes to make sure you're always getting the best deal.

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings