Japan is stuffed with tiny white vehicles that farmers and industrial employees use to lug their gear alongside the slim roads of a nation smaller than California.
However Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had one other, extra substantial truck in thoughts as she seemed to construct rapport with visiting U.S. President Donald Trump.
Takaichi, who desires to enhance financial ties with Washington and cement a robust relationship with Trump, positioned an infinite American Ford F-150 truck, in addition to U.S.-made Japanese cars, within the courtyard of the Akasaka Palace the place the leaders held their first talks Tuesday.
Trump is a fan of the Ford F-150 and has responded positively to stories that the Japanese authorities is contemplating shopping for dozens of the pickups.
He has additionally complained that there are hardly any American automobiles in Japan and that the nation’s automobile security requirements are too strict.
However the lack of massive American cars in Japan may be linked to extra sensible causes, together with native tastes and the situations and dimension of roads.
The vehicles could also be too large for Japanese roads
Japan is an island nation, smaller than California, and there may be restricted parking. Even in large cities, most of the streets the place individuals dwell are slim and twisting.
Customers appear to desire compact or mini automobiles that may simply navigate the roads. Those that can afford costlier overseas automobiles are likely to go for compact or medium-size autos from Europe, reminiscent of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen and Audi.
Aside from American-produced Japanese automobiles reminiscent of Honda, Mazda and Nissan, the top-selling American model is Jeep, in line with the Japan Vehicle Importers Affiliation.
Many American automobiles have their steering on the left facet, the alternative of the usual right-side steering in Japan, the place expressway tolls are on the appropriate facet, as an example. Decrease mileage and lack of upkeep and repair networks additionally assist clarify why American manufacturers apart from Jeep have struggled in Japan.
“Why don’t American cars sell well in Japan? Because they lack understanding for road conditions and housing situations, as well as energy conservation,” former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba instructed parliament in April.
Trump loves the concept, but it surely’s unclear how Japan will reply
When Trump heard of the Ford truck thought as he flew to Asia on Air Pressure One, he reacted enthusiastically.
“She has good taste,” Trump instructed reporters of Takaichi. “That’s a hot truck.”
The underlying context is Takaichi’s want to determine the best way to navigate the complicated commerce relationship that Trump shook up earlier this yr with tariffs.
Trump desires allies to purchase extra American items and likewise make monetary commitments to construct factories and vitality infrastructure in america.
Japan’s earlier administration agreed in September to speculate $550 billion within the U.S., which led Trump to trim a threatened 25% tariff on Japanese items to fifteen%. However Japan desires the investments to favor Japanese distributors and contractors.
In Japan, sport utility autos and have gotten widespread amongst individuals with households and for outside actions reminiscent of tenting, however consumers usually go for extra fashionable, smaller fashions.
Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler withdrew from the Japanese market due to slumping gross sales, Ford in 2016 and Chrysler in 2017.
