Implementation of the Agreement
Last fall, the US President announced that Japan was working to allow the import of American cars and recognize US safety certifications without additional inspections. The White House stated at the time that Japan would recognize American automotive standards and lift long-standing restrictions on importing passenger cars and trucks from the USA, creating billions of dollars in additional market access for American automakers.
Now these plans are taking concrete shape. Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced the creation of a certification system for American-made vehicles. This measure, developed to fulfill the terms of the Japan-US agreement, stipulates that “passenger vehicles manufactured in the USA and compliant with US standards will be recognized as meeting Japan’s safety standards.”
Benefits for Automakers
The announcement does not reveal all the details but specifically states: “Passenger vehicles manufactured in the USA and safety-certified in the USA will be accepted for sale in Japan without additional testing.” Theoretically, this should be a win for automakers, their employees, and Japan itself, which receives tariff relief as part of the deal.
Plans of Japanese Companies
Regarding this, Toyota had previously announced its intention to bring three American-made vehicles to Japan. Among them are the Camry, Highlander, and the full-size Tundra pickup. Although the automaker described the pickup as “the very embodiment of American culture,” the company is confident that Japanese consumers will appreciate its “unique appeal.”
Toyota is not the only Japanese automotive company considering importing cars from the USA. According to Nikkei reports, Honda is also exploring this possibility for the Pilot and Ridgeline models. For its part, Nissan may send the Murano and Pathfinder crossovers to Japan.
These changes could significantly impact Japan’s automotive market, which has traditionally been focused on domestic manufacturers and specific standards. Implementing a simplified procedure not only opens the door for American brands but also sets a precedent for further harmonization of technical regulations between the countries. For Japanese buyers, this means a wider choice, especially in segments that local manufacturers serve less actively, such as full-size SUVs and pickups. In the long term, this could foster increased competition and the emergence of new trends in consumer preferences.