Drew Hamilton <awh@awh.org> wrote in message news:<qk9l61-kb8.ln1@urd.awh.org>...
> Which actually makes me wonder,
> 
> Are there any USA-registered planes available in Japan to rent?  You'd
> be able to fly one of those on your American license.  I wonder if there
> are American-registered planes here for people to rent who need to work
> on American licenses or ratings or whatever.

I imagine that there are very very few private US registered airplanes
in Japan.  There are probably several at each of the US air bases for
their private pilot programs but for folks like me (not and never was
US military) that`s not an option.
 
> I'm planning to be in Japan for a while and I was thinking that before
> I left I should convert my Canadian PPL-Aero into an American PP-ASEL
> because my chances of finding an American plane elsewhere in the world 
> to rent are a lot better than my chances of finding a Canadian plane.
> 
> That said, if all I'd have to do in Japan was to take another checkride
> (I already have a Radio Operator's cert. that could probably be converted)
> that might be easier.  Then I'd be able to fly gliders too.
> 
>  - awh

This site has some info on gliders.

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/jsc/home/eng.htm

I was actually thinking of trying to sidestep the regulations and go
with an ultralight that could be shipped over reasonably in kit form
(although the wife/neighbors/landlord might get a might bit pissed if
I started hangering an ultralight in our back yard).  But if they
require a lisence for gliders and powered gliders I have to imagine
they would want one for a powered ultralight.

And look at those prices!  It literally would be cheaper to fly back
home several times a year and rent a plane - or hit Hawaii or Guam...