Myth: The Japanese auto market is closed to American auto manufcturers

[cali]

It is not. At all. The Japanese for a variety of reasons simply don't like American cars.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/10/guess-which-cars-sell-in-japan-imports-now-guess-which-ones/

http://www.jama.org/media-center/questions-and-answers-about-the-japanese-auto-industry-and-the-trans-pacific-partnership-2/

[former9thward]

1. The big 3 auto makers seem to disagree.

Japan’s Closed Market isn’t natural or an accident – it was created deliberately, by
government policy.

Following the closure and banishment of US auto firms from Japan during the WWII, US
firms were not allowed to return to establish operations in its aftermath.

Instead, Japan’s designated the creation of a major world class automotive industry its
number one National Industrial Policy strategy and provided every benefit, incentive and
protection from competition that it could.

In the 1970s, Japan finally opened its market to limited import participation, lowered its
prohibitive tariffs and investment restrictions, but did so after it had created a massive
and robust industry and controlled nearly 100% of its market

Japanese automakers then set off on a major policy of export expansion, and secured a
firm and rapidly growing foothold in the open U.S. market Imports from Japan now
represent over 15% of the US auto market.

When Japan officially ‘opened’ its market, it perfected the art of using non-tariff
barriers as huge obstacles to all foreign companies trying to do business in Japan to keep
imports to a minimum.

U.S. companies or other foreign ‘transplants’ were not allowed to be built in Japan by
under Japan’s strict investment laws;

Each individual imported car was required to be brought to the Ministry of Transport for
two days for inspection before approval for sale;

Japan’s exclusive ‘keiretsu ‘arrangements between government and Japanese automakers
prevented US and other foreign auto companies from doing business in Japan;

Japanese auto distribution system was stacked against importers- existing auto dealers
were forbidden to sell foreign autos or to partner with foreign automakers.

Japan has used automotive technical regulations as a means to protect local markets by
creating excessively difficult and costly regulatory and certification requirements, with
little or no safety or emissions benefits;

The tax system in Japan was designed to benefit domestic over imported motor vehicle
types;

http://americanautocouncil.org/sites/default/files/Japans%2BProtected%2BAuto%2BMarket.pdf

[cali]

4. lots of imported cars sell in japan

They just aren't American cars

[Hoyt]

2. I think there are some impediments, but I haven't ridden in an American car I like in decades.

Last edited Sun Apr 26, 2015, 01:40 AM - Edit history (1)

The only ones that even interest me are small "American" cars built for European markets.

[sendit]

3. So they did right