1. Opening Remarks
Last year, JAIA celebrated the major milestone of its 60th anniversary. To date, JAIA has focused its activities on five main pillars: 1) market revitalization, 2) environment and energy sector, 3) harmonization of safety and standards, 4) fair trade and after-sales for automobiles, and 5) progress in the motorcycle sector. Looking ahead to next fiscal year, we plan to add the field of DX, including autonomous driving, as a major pillar of our activities.
In addition, in 2024, we established a “Supporting Membership System” with the aim of sharing problems that members cannot solve alone with related companies and working together to solve these issues. This system started covering over three areas: charging, battery recycling, and automobile maintenance personnel. As of one year after its establishment, the scope has expanded to include hydrogen refueling, and 21 companies have joined. Efforts to resolve these issues are becoming more concrete, and JAIA recognizes that now is the time to move forward to the next stage.
In promoting DX, collaborating with members from outside companies is essential since there are some issues that cannot be resolved by members alone. We also believe it is necessary to create collaborating areas.
At today’s press conference, I will first look back on our imported vehicle sales performance in 2025, and then discuss our sales outlook for 2026.
Furthermore, I would like to report on the six main activities of JAIA, as I mentioned earlier, look back on the past, present, and future, and share our future direction.
2. Review of imported vehicle sales in 2025
The total number of registered vehicles in the domestic automobile market in 2025 increased by 1.2% from the previous year to approximately 2.9 million units. Among this, the number of newly registered foreign-brand vehicles increased by 7.0% from the previous year to 243,129 units.
Imported BEVs are particularly performing extremely well, with the number of registered vehicles reaching 30,513 in 2025, exceeding 30,000 for the first time. This marks the seventh consecutive year of record-breaking sales, and represents an increase of approximately 9.5 times in just five years from approximately 3,200 units in 2020. In addition, the share of BEVs from foreign-brand vehicles in 2025 reached to 12.6%, this also shows a highest new record and it exceeded 10% for the second consecutive year.
We believe that these results have been achieved thanks to the government’s continuous support measures, such as subsidies, the expansion of charging infrastructure in both quality and quantity, and above all, the proactive efforts of JAIA member companies to strengthen their BEV lineups in order to meet customer needs.
The lineup of imported BEVs is expected to expand significantly from 10 brands and 20 models in 2020 to 22 brands and 174 models, including commercial vehicles, by the end of 2025, with the lineup increased by approximately nine times over the past five years. A wide variety of models have been released, from large to small, including SUVs, luxury vehicles, and sports types, and the choices available to users are steadily expanding. As commercial vehicles become more diverse, we feel that the BEV market itself has entered a more diverse and attractive stage. In the October-December 2025 period, BEV sales by Japanese OEM for certain model exceeded 3,000 units, making them the top sellers of BEVs in Japan on a quarterly basis.
As imported vehicles have been driving the BEV market, JAIA is taking concrete steps to address issues associated with electrification, including charging infrastructure, and various issues are steadily improving. Going forward, we hope that the full-scale entry of Japanese manufacturers will lead to further revitalization of the domestic market as a whole and its infrastructure, and that this will have a synergistic effect in further accelerating the spread of imported BEVs.
3. Imported vehicle sales outlook for 2026
Next, let me explain the outlook for imported vehicle sales in 2026. As I mentioned earlier, the number of new registrations of foreign-brand vehicles in 2025 is on the rise, increased by 7.0% comparing to the previous year, and this trend is expected to continue in 2026. JAIA member companies are planning to aggressively introduce new vehicles, including electric vehicles and SUVs, and the evolution of advanced technology will further accelerate the market. We have high hopes that sales of imported vehicles will remain strong and exceed last year’s results.
We would like to introduce to you that a test-drive event for the media will be held jointly by JAIA members in Oiso, Kanagawa Prefecture for three days from February 3rd. This test-drive event will feature the latest lineup of electric vehicles and SUVs, so we welcome your visits.
4. JAIA’s main activities
Now, we would like to introduce the five major business activities that JAIA is working on and their progress.
First, I would like to introduce our “Electric Vehicle Promotion Initiatives,” which span the two fields of market revitalization and the environment and energy. In order to further popularize electric vehicles, JAIA is focusing its activities on six main areas: 1) requesting the government regarding tax and subsidy systems, 2) holding events to promote the spread of electric vehicles, 3) improving the charging infrastructure environment, including considering deregulation regarding charging voltage, 4) improving lithium-ion battery recycling, 5) BEV safety, and 6) life cycle management of BEVs.
(Tax system/subsidy)
First of all, regarding tax systems and subsidies, I would like to express my gratitude to the government for continuing to implement subsidies for the purchase of electrified vehicles without interruption, and for securing a significant budget of 110 billion yen in the fiscal 2025 supplementary budget.
With the support of the government, JAIA members will continue to actively introduce BEVs to contribute to promoting carbon neutrality in Japan. In order to make full use of subsidies, we ask the government to consider broad and flexible options when formulating the subsidy system, including ensuring sufficient notice periods when making changes to the system.
Regarding requests for tax reform, the ruling party’s tax reform outline compiled at the end of last year included the decision to abolish the environmental performance levy on automobile tax, as requested by JAIA, and also specified the extension of the eco-car tax reduction for two years, thereby realizing JAIA’s request. On the other hand, the bill also clearly states that a new system of automobile tax based on weight and environmental performance will be considered, and that special surcharges for BEVs and other vehicles will be added to the automobile weight tax. JAIA believes that, as we move forward with the need to accelerate the spread of electric vehicles that will contribute to achieving carbon neutrality, system reforms that increase the burden on users should not be made, and that excessive tax burdens on heavy vehicles, including electric vehicles that are expected to have a significant effect on low carbon emissions, should be avoided. We will continue to urge the government to reform the tax system to accelerate the spread of electric vehicles such as BEVs, PHEVs, and FCEVs.
Furthermore, in achieving carbon neutrality, we believe that the electrification of commercial vehicles such as buses and trucks, as well as the use of hydrogen, is important, in addition to electric passenger cars.
(Event)
Next, we will introduce our efforts to promote the DX and GX imported electric vehicles.
Last year on November 26th, JAIA held the “JAIA 60th Anniversary Event in Nara” at Yakushiji Temple. We have been working on raising awareness of imported electric vehicles, but in addition to carbon neutrality, we also held an event that focused on DX and GX, with safe driving in mind, such as driver support.
This event featured test drive of the latest imported electric vehicles driven by automotive commentators, displays of the latest imported electric vehicles, and exhibits from charging and recycling-related businesses. With the participation of 21 vehicles from eight four-wheel importers, four vehicles from two two-wheel importers, and seven charging and recycling-related businesses, the event brought together the world’s latest lineup of leading-edge imported electric vehicles and charging-related businesses.
The imported electric vehicle test drive event offered visitors the opportunity to experience the comfort of advanced driver assistance features and their high compatibility with electric vehicles by riding alongside leading Japanese automotive journalists in popular imported electric vehicles while listening to professional commentary.
In addition, representatives from not only JAIA members but also JAIA supporting members took to the stage to hold seminar talk sessions on topics such as the future of DX/GX, FCEVs, commercial vehicles, battery recycling, and hydrogen. This event is widely streamed on YouTube. Please check out the archived video on the JAIA YouTube channel, if you are interested
With the above various ideas, we were able to successfully hold this fully promoted the appeal of imported electric vehicles event.
(Charging infrastructure)
Cooperation among related businesses is essential to resolving issues surrounding the development of a charging infrastructure environment, and we will continue to strengthen our ties with supporting members and other related parties to continue resolving the challenges of an electrified society.
JAIA’s efforts continue to support the effective use of charging infrastructure near expressways, and we hope that temporary exit from expressways will be institutionalized in a way that minimizes the burden on charging providers and users. Furthermore, as further development of high-voltage quick chargers is expected, we ask that the government to provide subsidies to cover the increased costs of installing high-voltage equipment and energy storage equipment, and that improvements be made to the delivery period from the time subsidy payments are decided to be made to the deadline for report submission, taking into account the lead time for actual installation work. We will continue to request the development of charging environments in apartment complexes, including mechanical parking lots where it is said to be difficult to install chargers, the installation of quick chargers on public roads, and further development of charging infrastructure at service stations. In addition, it is important that the trend of making it mandatory to install chargers in newly built detached houses and apartment buildings be expanded not only to Tokyo but also to other regions. JAIA will continue to actively promote collaboration with local governments.
Additionally, some users of imported BEVs complain that parking lots in urban areas are small and difficult to use. There are voices expressing appreciation for spaces that take vehicle size into consideration, particularly in commercial and public facilities. We believe that expanding parking spaces in these locations, along with the development of the latest charging infrastructure, will further increase convenience for users of imported BEVs.
(Improvement of lithium-ion battery recycling)
In the recycling field, we are supporting a joint collection system for drive batteries, including those of domestic automakers, for the reuse and recycling of lithium-ion batteries, which are essential for promoting electrification.
JAIA is currently considering ways to improve battery recycling and will work in cooperation with battery recycling businesses supporting members.
JAIA will continue to exchange opinions with battery recycling-related businesses, and will support member companies in staying up to date with the latest industry information and responding appropriately to the collection of automotive storage batteries.
(BEV safety and lifecycle management)
Additionally, JAIA will continue to steadily consider issues related to BEV safety and lifecycle management.
(fuel efficiency standards)
In the field of environment and energy, the 2030 fuel efficiency standards for passenger cars will require a significant improvement of 44.3% on an average fuel efficiency basis compared to the 2020 standards.
JAIA has requested the introduction of flexible measures such as off-cycle credits, which would evaluate energy-saving technologies that improve actual fuel efficiency and encourage their widespread use. Last year in March, the broad framework was outlined at a joint fuel efficiency meeting held by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, and details are currently being considered at the Off-Cycle Credit Study Group, which began in August. JAIA is grateful that the framework for the system has been established, and will continue to closely monitor the activities of the Off-Cycle Credit Study Group.
JAIA also believes that the formulation of a conversion formula from WLTC fuel efficiency to JC08 fuel efficiency is desirable, and will closely monitor developments while cooperating in the study by providing data, etc.
●Activities related to DX (including autonomous driving)
Next, I would like to explain DX-related activities as an important keyword in the automotive industry today.
We are currently positioning our DX efforts as a business activity based on the basic policy of our activity plan, and as I mentioned at the press conference last July, we have established a DX task force within JAIA, which includes members. As I mentioned earlier, we held a seminar on the topic of DX at the JAIA 60th anniversary event in Nara last November. As examples of presentations by members, there was an introduction to a lineup of vehicles equipped with new and advanced driver assistance technologies, and the trend of point-to-point Level 2 autonomous driving demonstrations overseas. The event also included a test drive session to raise awareness of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features. Another impressive announcement was that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, in cooperation with JAIA, will work towards international harmonization of automobile standards, with the aim of introducing self-driving cars and expanding their services as quickly as possible.
Furthermore, JAIA will work to promote cross-sectional collaboration within the organization, such as between the DX Task Force and the test-drive and PR Subcommittee, which is responsible for test drive and events within JAIA, as well as in cooperation with related organizations and companies. Especially, these efforts will take advantage of opportunities such as events in various locations to disseminate information about DX. JAIA hopes that the development of digital technology will not only ensure the safety of Japanese users, but also lead to improved safety in the transportation society as a whole.
In addition, we have established a specialized working group to discuss the field of wireless and communication technologies, including sensors, which are essential for DX, and will continue to hold discussions with relevant organizations regarding frequencies and communication methods. In particular, we will work with relevant organizations to ensure the early establishment, under international cooperation, of communication platforms for Software Defined Vehicles and data utilization, a high-capacity, low-latency, and highly reliable communication infrastructure to support the underlying technology of OTA, and ITS communication methods for expressways and ordinary roads to support autonomous driving.
Moreover, last year in September, the United Nations regulation UN-R171 regarding driver assistance devices known as Driver-Control Assistance Systems (DCAS)was revised, making it possible to drive hands-free on expressways up to 130 km/h and to system controlled changing lanes with hands on request. Regarding UN-R171, further amendments, such as expanding the scope of application, are currently being considered at the United Nations WP29 (World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations), and we are focused on watching the developments. Furthermore, I have heard that an agreement is expected to be reached on new proposed regulations for autonomous driving at WP29 in June of this year, and I highly expect that this year will be a year in which advanced safety technologies related to automated driving will make great progress. JAIA welcomes this move to apply internationally harmonized advanced safety standards in Japan.
●Activities for Safety, and Harmonization of Regulations
Next, let me explain the Activities for Safety, and Harmonization of Regulations that each JAIA member company is implementing to ensure the smooth introduction of cutting-edge automobiles that keep up with the ever-advancing technology into the Japanese market.
First, in order to provide imported vehicles that ensure safety and environmental performance to Japanese consumers without incurring additional costs, we have been working for many years with the relevant authorities to harmonize international standards and to utilize the mutual recognition system based on the United Nations 1958 Agreement. As a result, UN-R has been adopted for many devices and parts installed in vehicles, and the IWVTA system, an international type approval system for the entire vehicle, has also been established.
Since then, the IWVTA has been expanded year by year, and it is now possible to obtain an IWVTA that includes type approval for major safety and environmental requirements related to passenger cars. JAIA will continue to work through the activities of JASIC and other organizations to further promote international harmonization of vehicle regulations and to quickly achieve a more complete and highly useful IWVTA.
JAIA will continue to work on resolving the remaining unique Japanese requirements through international harmonization of standards and certification systems.
Meanwhile, JAIA has requested the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to simplify and streamline the application procedures for vehicle certification from 2023, and as a result of subsequent activities, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has been reviewing the certification procedures since March of last year, reflecting JAIA’s requests.
JAIA will continue to hold discussions with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and other parties to ensure the safety and environmental performance of imported vehicles while working to achieve the required rationalization and efficiency.
In addition, to ensure vehicle safety in connected cars as a recent trend, we will work with OEMs in our home country and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as appropriate to request the simplification and streamlining of procedures so that members can easily comply with new regulations on cybersecurity and software updates for in-vehicle systems.
●Activities in the fields of fair trade and after-sales for automobiles
Next, I would like to explain our activities in the areas of fair trade and after-sales services for automobiles.
With regard to fair trade in automobiles, JAIA will continue to actively participate in the working group of the Automobile Fair Trade Council, thoroughly inform JAIA members of the Automobile Fair Competition Code, and hold training sessions, among other activities focused on ensuring fair trade.
In the after-sales field, in addition to carrying out vehicle inspections and maintenance and recall-related procedures in compliance with laws and regulations, JAIA will also work to ensure that member companies are able to respond appropriately to the OBD inspections that became applicable to imported vehicles in October last year.
In addition, as we have stated before, the shortage of automobile maintenance personnel is a pressing issue facing the entire automotive industry, and an immediate response is required. JAIA also established the Auto Mechanic Human Resources Information Liaison Meeting in 2022, and continues to work with member companies on concrete initiatives, including information sharing, to overcome challenges.
●Motorcycle Activities
At final, I would like to introduce our sixth pillar of main activities, which is Activities for Motorcycles.
The number of new registrations of small imported motorcycles in 2025 decreased by 5.2% to 25,073 units compared to 26,447 units in the previous year, marking the second consecutive year of decline. The reasons for this are the impact of restructuring procedures at some member manufacturers, the decline in vehicle supply due to the withdrawal from the domestic market, and the impact on dealerships due to violations of the Antimonopoly Act by some members.
In 2026, we believe we can expect further growth by introducing a wide variety of unique imported motorcycles.
Now, one of the major pillars of our motorcycle activities is “activities to revitalize the market.” One of these is the import motorcycle test drive event for the media at Oiso Long Beach, which was also held last year, however the scheduled date has been updated this year to May 20th and 21st, we are welcoming your attendances.
As part of this activity, last year, as a new initiative, we exhibited a “JAIA Motorcycle Joint Booth” at the Japan Mobility Show Nagoya, which was held at Port Messe Nagoya from November 22nd to 24th, with the aim of strengthening the sales promotion functions of JAIA motorcycle members and affiliated dealers. This exhibition was the first ever motorcycle show held at JAIA, including the Nagoya Motor Show. We would like to continue to take action in the future, including formulating new B to C initiatives.
In addition, in September 2025, JAIA and 10 other motorcycle-related organizations, along with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, held the Bike Lab Forum in Ogano Town, Saitama Prefecture, with the theme “Let’s revitalize the community with the power of motorcycles.” On the day, the event discussed Ogano’s efforts to welcome riders and regional revitalization through motorcycle tourism, confirming that initiatives in the town and elsewhere are leading to the creation of a motorcycle culture. The 2026 event is scheduled to be held in Ozu, Kumamoto Prefecture.
JAIA is requesting that highway tolls for motorcycles be separated, that motorcycle parking lots be expanded, and that the motorcycle license system be reviewed. In collaboration with other organizations, primarily through the Bike Love Forum, we have implemented request activities aiming at the independence of expressway toll classifications and the rationalization of toll fees at government and political party motorcycle-related project team review meetings. As a result, from April 2023, road operators such as NEXCO East Japan implemented a “Motorcycle Fixed Rate Discount,” which provides a fixed rate discount on tolls for motorcycles equipped with ETC 2.0 that use expressways on weekends and holidays. This was implemented again last year, following a previous implementation in 2024.
Additionally, in order to proactively address the issue of securing maintenance personnel, including in the motorcycle industry, we have begun collaborating with another organization, AJ (National Motorcycle Cooperative Association).
We will continue to support our importer members, in the area of “activities to promote international harmonization of regulations,” which is another pillar of our motorcycle activities.
This year, we will continue to promote a wide variety of unique and attractive imported motorcycles through events such as the JAIA Motorcycle test drive Event, to further popularize imported motorcycles and revitalize the domestic motorcycle market.
5.Conclusion
Each JAIA member company will continue to provide excellent environmental and safety performance equipped attractive imported vehicles, and JAIA will cooperate with the Japanese government, the automotive industry, and all organizations involved in the sales market to contribute to reducing the burden on users and realizing a carbon-neutral society, as well as a society in which digital transformation advances based on these achievements.
◆JAIA YouTube
・URL： https://youtu.be/sCOXyYMO9CQ
