Japan Automobile Federation

What Japan Automobile Federation does

Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) is Japan's largest membership-based automobile club, founded on February 28, 1963 as a general incorporated association (一般社団法人) under Japanese law. The organization serves individual motorists, families, corporate fleet operators, rental car companies, motorsports participants, and international users through a subscription membership model — 20,745,687 members as of March 2026, comprising 13.5 million individual members, 6.4 million family members, and 889,000 corporate members. Core service is 24/7 nationwide roadside rescue, with 2,309,716 operations performed in FY2025 (approximately one rescue every 14.9 seconds). Membership pricing is standardized at 4,000 yen/year for individuals, 2,000 yen/year per family member (up to 5 per individual member), and 2,000 yen base + 2,000 yen per registered vehicle for corporate accounts.

JAF's underlying technology is a cloud-based digital member services platform supporting its smartphone app (7.5 million downloads by April 2026), JAF My Page member portal, online service request systems, and an online driver license translation application system. Proprietary capabilities include GPS-enabled roadside rescue dispatch that automatically transmits rescue coordinates to operators, a digital membership card (JAFデジタル会員証) that blinks to indicate active validity, and digital license translation workflows. The organization operates a network of approximately 44,000 member-preferential partner facilities across Japan, supported by a distribution network of 47 prefectural branch offices organized under 8 regional headquarters. JAF is the only FIA-recognized four-wheel motorsports governing body in Japan, granting exclusive sanctioning authority for Super Formula, SUPER GT, and all-Japan championships, plus internationally-recognized competition license issuance.

The business model is anchored in recurring annual membership dues (subscription), supplemented by motorsports licensing fees, international services (driver license translation, Carnet de Passages authentication), and affiliate/referral revenue from co-branded JAF Card credit cards (with JCB, SMBC, SAISON, UC), JAF Denki electricity service (partnered with KDDI), and JAF Insurance. GTM is primarily direct-to-consumer via website, app, and branch offices, augmented by channel partnerships with credit card issuers and co-marketing with local governments. Recent strategic expansion into BEV charging (now in all 47 prefectures), Green Slow Mobility with Yamaha, and reservation-based counter service reflects an organization leveraging its distribution moat to extend into EV infrastructure, municipal services, and digital-first member engagement. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Japan Automobile Federation

Legal name

Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) - 一般社団法人 日本自動車連盟

Website

https://jaf.or.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) is Japan's largest membership automobile club, serving 20.7 million individual, family, and corporate members with 24/7 nationwide roadside rescue, digital member services, and FIA-sanctioned motorsports governance. The Tokyo-based general incorporated association operates through 47 prefectural branches and a 7.5M-download smartphone app.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automobile Club Services

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Towing (48841), Motor Vehicle Towing (488410)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Automotive Repair, Services & Parking (7500), Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Roadside Assistance & Towing Memberships (Bundled with Service Contracts) (FSAJALAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Motorsport Sanctioning Bodies (FIA/FIM/IMSA, etc.) (MPAKAFAH), Claims Administration & TPA Services (FNOL, Subrogation, Litigation Mgmt) (TLABANAH)

Keywords

• Roadside assistance services
• Automobile club membership
• Motorsports governance
• Driver license translation
• Traffic safety education

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual & Family Membership Dues: JAF's primary revenue stream is annual membership dues: 4,000 yen per individual member and 2,000 yen per family member. Membership fees are exempt from consumption tax, though the included magazine fee (440 yen + 10% tax = 484 yen/year) is taxable. The membership base of 20,745,687 members (as of March 2026) generates the bulk of JAF's operating revenue.
2. Corporate Membership Dues: Corporate members pay a base annual fee of 2,000 yen plus 2,000 yen per registered vehicle. Corporate members include general corporate members and rental car company members.
3. Motor Sports Licensing: JAF generates revenue from issuing and renewing motorsports competition licenses (for four-wheel vehicles and karts), as well as sanctioning and overseeing JAF-recognized competitions across Japan.
4. International Services (Driver License Translation, Carnet): Revenue from issuing Japanese translations of foreign driver's licenses (with fee revisions from July 1, 2026: 6,600 yen including tax for Japanese license conversion purposes) and authentication of Carnet de Passages en Douanes (CPD) for temporary vehicle export.
5. JAF Denki (Electricity Service): JAF partners with KDDI to offer JAF Denki electricity service, where switching members receive a 4,000 yen annual rebate equivalent to the individual membership fee. This generates referral/partnership revenue while serving as a member retention tool.
6. Member Concession & Preferred Facilities: JAF operates a network of ~44,000 member-preferential facilities across Japan. While direct revenue from this program is not disclosed, it serves as a key member retention and acquisition lever, with partnership fees likely flowing from participating businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) operates a membership-based automobile club providing 24/7 nationwide roadside rescue service (approximately one rescue every 14.9 seconds), access to a network of approximately 44,000 preferential partner facilities, and FIA-recognized motorsports governance and licensing. The core offering combines annual membership subscriptions (individual, family, and corporate tiers) with digital member services through the JAF smartphone app, digital membership card, online portal (JAFマイページ), and supplementary services including driver's license translation, Carnet de Passages authentication, co-branded credit cards (JAF Card), JAF Denki electricity service, and member-exclusive insurance products.

Product overview

Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) operates a membership-based automobile club providing core roadside assistance and rescue services, supplemented by a digital ecosystem including the JAF Smartphone App with digital membership card functionality and the JAF Navigator member benefit search platform. The organization publishes JAF Mate (quarterly magazine) and JAF Mate Online (digital media), offers co-branded JAF Card credit cards, and provides life support services including JAF Denki electricity and JAF Insurance. JAF serves as Japan's FIA-recognized motorsport governing body, issues driver's license translations and Carnet de Passages documents, and conducts safety driving training programs. With over 20.7 million members as of March 2026, the organization operates through 44 regional branches across Japan, supported by 3,505 staff members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• JAF MOTOR SPORTS: JAF's motorsports division managing domestic racing championships including Super Formula, SUPER GT, rallies, gymkhana, and karting.
• JAF Mate
• JAFアプリ
• JAF WOMEN IN MOTORSPORT (JAF WIM)
• JAFスポーツ

Products and services

• JAF Road Service (ロードサービス) 24-hour nationwide roadside assistance service for JAF members, responding to vehicle breakdowns and accidents with a service rate of approximately one rescue every 14.9 seconds. Service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year across Japan, covering battery jumps, tire changes, towing, fuel delivery, and emergency repairs for members' vehicles.
• JAF Smartphone App (JAFアプリ) Mobile application providing GPS-enabled roadside rescue request functionality, digital membership card display, and access to approximately 44,000 member benefit facilities nationwide. Available on iOS (15.0+) and Android (7.0+), with over 7.5 million downloads as of April 2026. Enables digital membership credential display, in-app coupons, and preferential facility search.
• JAF Motor Sports Services FIA-recognized motorsport governing body services including competition licensing (four-wheel vehicles and karts), event authorization, rule development, and championship management across multiple disciplines including rally, gymkhana, drift, circuit racing, Super Formula, SUPER GT, and kart championships. Issues FIA internationally-recognized competition licenses.
• JAF Card (Co-branded Credit Cards)

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,309,716 rescue operations performed in FY2025, approximately one rescue every 14.9 seconds
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Takano Fruits ParlorminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 June 2026JAF Tokyo Branch co-organized a two-day kids' dessert-making event at Takano Fruits Parlor in Shinjuku on August 6-7, 2026. The event featured local Kyohou grapes and Kousui pears from Ukiha City farms in Fukuoka Prefecture, with participants creating decorated cakes, parfaits, and tartlets. This is a community engagement and local promotion partnership.
• Ukiha City, Fukuoka PrefectureminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Ukiha City partnered with JAF Tokyo and Takano Fruits for a community event promoting local agricultural products (Kyohou grapes and Kousui pears). The city supplies its specialty produce for the event, while JAF provides its community platform and event organization capabilities. Part of JAF's broader local government co-creation initiative.
• Ion Fantasy Co., Ltd. (株式会社イオンファンタジー)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJAF conducts seasonal traffic safety classes for children at Ion Fantasy amusement park locations nationwide, coinciding with national traffic safety campaigns twice yearly. Activities include traffic safety quizzes, 'children's safety driver's license' creation, and parent-child educational events. Ion Fantasy's SKiDS GARDEN facilities offer year-round JAF member discounts.
• KDDI CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKDDI provides the JAF Denki (JAF Electricity) service platform, a life support service for JAF members. When members switch to JAF Denki and pay annually, they receive 4,000 Ponta points (equivalent to the individual membership fee) as a rebate. KDDI operates the call center for electricity service inquiries.
• JCB Co., Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJCB issues the JAF・JCB Card, a credit card bundled with JAF membership. Key benefits include: free credit card annual fee, free ETC card (first year free, subsequent years based on usage), and points redeemable for JAF membership renewal fees. JCB markets JAF membership to its extensive cardholder base, driving member acquisition.
• Sumitomo Mitsui Card Co., Ltd. (三井住友カード)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSMBC Card issues the JAF Card (三井住友カード), featuring free annual fee (conditions apply), V-point rewards redeemable for JAF membership fees, and purchase protection insurance up to 1 million yen annually.
• SAISON Card Co., Ltd. (株式会社クレディセゾン)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSAISON Card issues JAFセゾンカード (JAF SAISON Card) and JAFセゾンカード・アメリカン・エキスプレス・カード, both with free annual credit card fee and permanent (永久不滅) points redeemable for JAF membership.
• UC Card Co., Ltd. (UCカード)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUC Card issues the JAF・UCゴールドカード with automatic overseas and domestic travel insurance coverage up to 50 million yen. Note: The JAF・UC card service has been discontinued.
• Otsuka Pharmaceutical Corporation Tokushima Branch (大塚製薬株式会社徳島支店)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJAF's Shikoku regional headquarters entered a comprehensive cooperation agreement with Otsuka Pharmaceutical for heat stroke prevention activities. Otsuka provides expertise and products for heat stroke seminars, and JAF promotes 'heat stroke prevention ambassador' certification among road service personnel and members.
• FiNC Technologies / Guppy Inc. (株式会社グッピーズ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJAF partnered with Guppy (formerly FiNC Technologies) to co-host the National JAF Walking Championship (全国JAFウォーキング大会), a health promotion event for employees. The third edition in 2025 increased minimum team size from 2 to 5 participants to encourage cross-departmental interaction.
• Hertz Japan (ハーツ奈良マネジメント合同会社)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHertz offers preferential rental rates for JAF cardholders when renting vehicles abroad. JAF card registration is recommended during Hertz enrollment. This is a member benefit partnership providing discounted international car rental services.
• FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJAF is the sole FIA-recognized National Automobile Club and four-wheel motorsports governing body in Japan. This affiliation provides JAF members with reciprocal services at automobile clubs worldwide (AAA in the US, CAA in Canada, and others), and enables JAF to issue FIA internationally-recognized competition licenses.
• AAA (American Automobile Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnder FIA reciprocal agreement, JAF members receive roadside assistance and travel information services from AAA in the United States, and from CAA (Canadian Automobile Association) in Canada. This enables JAF members traveling abroad to access local automobile club services.
• Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (ヤマハ発動機株式会社)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJAF and Yamaha jointly support the introduction of Green Slow Mobility (グリーンスローモビリティ) electric vehicles in local communities. The partnership covers everything from feasibility assessment and vehicle selection to driver training and after-sales service, addressing regional transportation challenges.
• Automobile Inspection and Registration Information System (AIS)minorOthersJAF supports drivers with procedures related to vehicle inspection (自動車検査) and registration. While not a formal partnership, JAF provides guidance and navigation services for members dealing with vehicle inspection requirements.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club): ADAC is Europe's largest automobile club with 20M+ members and a comparable product mix to JAF: roadside rescue, member benefits, motorsport governance, and travel services. ADAC is the closest international scale-peer to JAF and the benchmark for what a mature national auto club can monetize at scale.
• ANWB (Royal Dutch Touring Club): ANWB is the Netherlands' national automobile and touring club offering roadside assistance, member benefits, travel services, and roadside-rescue infrastructure. ANWB is comparable to JAF in its blended roadside/travel/membership model and its broad consumer-facing member benefit network.
• TCS (Touring Club Suisse): TCS is Switzerland's national motoring and touring club, providing roadside assistance, member benefits, travel, and driving school services. TCS is comparable to JAF on the integrated roadside + travel + benefit club model, particularly relevant for JAF's international services and foreign-license translation business.
• NRMA (National Roads and Motorists' Association): NRMA is Australia's largest member-owned roadside assistance and general insurance organization, with ~2.6M members. NRMA is comparable to JAF on roadside-rescue core, member benefits, and on diversifying into insurance and energy services — a model trajectory JAF is pursuing with JAF Insurance and JAF Denki.
• CAA (Canadian Automobile Association): CAA is the Canadian counterpart to JAF and a formal FIA reciprocal partner. CAA provides roadside assistance, member benefits, travel services, and motorsport-related services — directly comparable in scope and operating model, with the same FIA reciprocal relationship JAF has with AAA.
• RAC (Royal Automobile Club, UK): RAC is a UK-based motoring services organization providing roadside assistance, insurance, and member benefits. RAC is comparable to JAF on the roadside-rescue core, vehicle-related insurance products (analogous to JAF Insurance), and on developing a digital product suite around its membership base.
• RACC (Reial Automòbil Club de Catalunya): RACC is one of Spain's leading automobile clubs, providing roadside assistance, insurance, member benefits, and travel services. RACC is comparable to JAF on the integrated roadside + insurance + benefit model and on operating in a single national market.
• American Automobile Association (AAA): AAA is the US analogue of JAF — a federation of affiliated automobile clubs providing 24/7 roadside assistance, member benefits, travel services, and motorsport sanctioning. JAF and AAA have a formal reciprocal service agreement under FIA, making them directly comparable on membership scale, service mix, and motorsport governance.
• ÖAMTC (Austrian Automobile Club): ÖAMTC is Austria's largest automobile club with 3M+ members, providing roadside assistance, member benefits, and travel services. Comparable to JAF on member scale relative to national driving population, and on the bundled roadside + benefit + travel product model.

Regional players

• AAS (Automobile Association of Singapore): AAS is Singapore's national motoring association offering roadside assistance, member benefits, and driving school services. AAS is a smaller-scale, regional comparator to JAF, useful for benchmarking how a national auto club operates in a geographically compact, urbanized market — the trajectory Japan may face as urbanization continues.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/jaf_jp
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/jafchannel
• Facebookfacebook.com/jaf.motorsports

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Japan Automobile Federation