by Export of Left-Hand Drive Vehicles
If you’ve always thought navigating Tokyo traffic in a large SUV is difficult, imagine doing it from the “wrong” side of the car. Honda and its premium brand Acura have started shipping models made in the USA to Japan, and they are not taking such complex measures as moving the steering wheel to the right side before loading them onto ships.
Which Models Are Being Exported
We are talking about two models: the Acura Integra Type S sports sedan, which is a “suit-wearing” relative of the Honda Civic Type R, and the Honda Passport SUV. They rolled off production lines in Ohio and Alabama, and now a small number of them are heading across the Pacific Ocean.
They arrive in Japan in full American specification. The front-wheel-drive Type S is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged K20 engine producing 320 hp, a 6-speed manual transmission, and a limited-slip differential. The all-wheel-drive Passport is supplied exclusively in the rugged Trailsport Elite trim and is equipped with the same 3.5-liter V6 producing 285 hp paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission as all American models.
Why is the Steering Wheel Left on the Left?
However, the American specification also means the steering wheel is on the left, despite Japan, like the UK, Australia, or South Africa, being a right-hand drive market. Toll roads, parking lots, and drive-throughs are designed precisely for that configuration.
Nevertheless, Japan has long had a subculture of enthusiasts who adore something unusual. For years, collectors have highly valued desirable German sports cars with left-hand drive, just as American enthusiasts love Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) right-hand drive models and are willing to sit on the “wrong” side. Even Donald Trump last year expressed a desire to see Japanese kei cars on US roads.
Thus, the Integra and Passport will have niche appeal, similar to the first American-made Honda cars exported to Japan back in 1988—a series of Accord coupes, also manufactured with the steering wheel on the left. By that time, Honda had already been exporting US-made Goldwing motorcycles to Japan for eight years.
Political Context of the Export
However, this move is not only about car enthusiasts but also about geopolitics. Supplying American-made cars to Japan helps address the issue of a long-standing trade imbalance, albeit slightly, and reduces political tension, which has repeatedly escalated over the past year.
And Honda is not the only company taking such a step. Toyota recently confirmed that starting in 2026, it will begin importing three American-made models to Japan, including the Camry sedan, Highlander SUV, and Tundra pickup truck. Yes, the prospect of seeing a Tundra pickup, made in Texas, on the streets of Tokyo is now very real.
These initiatives demonstrate how the global automotive industry is responding to trade challenges by adapting its strategies. Exporting cars without changing the steering wheel configuration may seem like a technical nuance, but it symbolizes deeper economic arrangements and cultural exchange between countries. It also shows that even in mature markets, there is room for exclusive products that find their buyer among connoisseurs willing to put up with certain inconveniences for the sake of uniqueness or political expediency. Similar steps could set a precedent for other manufacturers looking for ways to balance trade between major economies.
