You need to make it explicitly clear which service was provided for the requested money on the invoice itself. Be specific, not vague.  A good invoice should make it very clear what the customer ordered. Itemize any additional costs, such as tax, handling charges or other add ons. At the bottom of the invoice, present the total amount owed. In addition to describing in detail what the customer is being charged for, you should include the quantity of goods or services purchased. In some cases, this might be hours billed. Include the per-unit price, in addition to the overall price. Sometimes, customers are charged a flat rate for many hours or units, and sometimes they only buy one unit of something. One of the most important pieces of information you must include on an invoice is how your company can be contacted and where the customer should send the money.  Don’t assume the customer knows what the invoice is for. Make sure your company’s name is clear on it, as well as your address and telephone number. The customer may want to call the company with questions about the bill, so include a customer service number if possible too. Include the customer’s information. It’s very important to make it explicitly clear who purchased the goods and services and is being requested to pay up. So make sure you include the customer’s information too, and get good information from the customer on the front end, so you don't have to look it up. It can also be a good idea to legitimize the order by including the name of the individual contact who actually placed it or authorized the purchase in the event you are dealing with a company. You could also add the name of the contact person at your company who took the order. Ultimately, you want the customer to come back to purchase more goods and services, so you might consider personalizing the invoice.  Some businesses add message boxes on their invoices where they can thank customers for their patronage.  One study found that adding “please” or “thank you” to an invoice increases the chances it’s paid by 5 percent.  A simple, thank you for your business or we appreciate the chance to help you can go a long way to building strong connections with customers. Sometimes companies use an invoice message box to note important information about a customer’s account or to include promotional details. Preferably, include this in bold font or offset lettering so it’s hard to miss. Usually payment windows are 30, 60 or 90 days.  Make it clear how the customer should make the payment, where to send it, and to whom the customer should send it. You want to include all details that a customer would use as an excuse for not paying. Try to avoid using the words “upon receipt” when requesting payment in a certain time frame. Some customers may claim they didn’t receive the invoice. Provide the date the goods or service were provided. Date the invoice with the date it was sent out. Include something like “payment due within 30 days.” Agree to payment terms on the front end before you deliver the product or service.

Summary: Describe the service clearly. Include your contact information. Consider adding a personal note. Put the time frame for payment on the invoice.


Check for signs indicating whether you're in a designated passing zone or non-passing zone. If you're unsure, look at the lane markers.  A solid yellow line indicates it's unsafe to pass into oncoming traffic. A single dotted yellow line or a solid yellow line with a dotted line on your side of traffic indicates that it's a safe move. Look around you, and check to be sure that there are no conditions that could prohibit you from making a safe pass. Be aware of upcoming hills or curves, traffic stop signs or lights, and train tracks.  Tunnels, bridges and viaducts can obstruct your view. If you see any up ahead, wait until you have passed them to consider a move. Do not attempt to pass a slow moving car if you're driving on a hill or curve. Wait for a long stretch of flat road. Be aware of driveways and other entrances where cars may unexpectedly come from. If the weather is rainy, foggy or snowy, consider staying in your lane as these types of conditions can cause you to slip or they can make it more challenging to see ahead. Check your surroundings for animals, like deer, that can run into the middle of the road. Look ahead to the other lane, and notice traffic following behind you, and check for vehicles in front of the one you plan to pass.  Establish there is no oncoming traffic that will come within 200 feet (0.061 km) of you in the passing lane. Do not pass if you can't see .25 miles (0.40 km) ahead. Look at your rear-view and side mirrors for traffic coming from behind you right before you move into the opposite lane to pass. Then check for oncoming traffic once again. It can be frustrating to be behind someone driving slow, but if they are driving less than 15 miles (24 km) under the speed limit, it may be best to stay put.  You'll have to increase your speed up to 20 miles (32 km) to pass, so be sure you're aware of the speed limit where you are. Be aware that speed limits can drop dramatically, up to 30 miles (48 km), along some country roads upon arriving in a town. Ensure that you have enough space between the vehicle in front of you and any behind you so that you have an opening if you need get back into your lane without passing. Use the two-second rule. Count one thousand one, one thousand two after the car in front of you has passed a marker of some kind to be sure you have enough space. A sign, tree or lamppost works as a marker.

Summary: Look at traffic signals and lane markings to ensure passing is legal. Evaluate the conditions. Check surrounding traffic. Ensure you can pass without going over the speed limit. Have a backup plan.


Find the car you want by visiting car dealers or auctions in Japan, have a friend do this for you, or search online for a car. Or choose to import a car you already own and keep in Japan. Check your own car or buy a car that conforms to U.S. standards for safety and emissions by checking official lists for vehicles that conform or can be modified to conform to all requirements. Check to see if the vehicle complies with U.S. standards by inspecting or having the vehicle inspected by someone else for two different stickers. Look for a Department of Transportation (DOT) sticker in the doorjamb on the driver’s side of the car, and an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sticker on the car’s engine.  If either of these stickers are missing, you will need to get a letter or certificate from the certified manufacturer of the car that states that the car meets U.S. standards. If you are importing a vehicle that is 25 years old or older, it does not need to conform to EPA and DOT requirements, although you will still need to complete EPA and DOT paperwork in order to clear your vehicle through Customs and Border Protection (CBP). If the vehicle does not meet U.S. safety and emissions standards, you will need to import it through an independent commercial importer (ICI) to perform modifications to make the car EPA compliant, or a registered importer (RI) to make DOT-approved safety modifications, before it is released to you. Note that some vehicles may not be eligible for these importer modifications.  Consult the Environmental Protection Agency’s website to find an ICI before you begin the process of importing your vehicle. Refer to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to locate an RI. The advantage of using an ICI or an RI is that you may be able to import the vehicle you wish even if it doesn’t comply with U.S. standards to begin with. However, the disadvantage is that the fees associated with modifying and importing a car in this way are very high.
Summary: Visit Japan or look online. Look for a compliant car. Inspect the vehicle for valid stickers. Get an independent importer for a nonconforming car.