AutomobilesDomestic dealers and consumers are losing in competition with overseas buyersUsed car dealers are under pressure as high auction prices make used cars more expensive to stock. (Photo by Sota Tanaka)SOTA TANAKA and RISAKO KOJIMAMay 19, 2026 07:11 JSTTOKYO -- Japan exported a record number of used cars last year due to high demand spurred on by the weak yen, even as it becomes harder to find affordable secondhand vehicles within the country.Read NextAutomobilesIran's Hormuz shutdown disrupts global used-vehicle supplies from JapanConsumerHow does Japan's Gen Z afford a Ferrari? They split itAutomobilesJapan automakers' profits to stall at half of peak level on Iran warElectric vehiclesJapan to start EV battery traceability program to spur recyclingAutomobilesNissan, Honda jump into Japan classic sports car restoration boomAutomobilesThai used-car market wilts under household debt, cheap Chinese EVsLatest on AutomobilesAutomobilesHonda taps ace engineer to lead transformation after EV strategy pauseAutomobilesJapan automakers' profits to stall at half of peak level on Iran warAutomobilesSubaru postpones planned 2028 launch of its own EVs
Japan's once-affordable used cars threatened by soaring prices, weak yen
Domestic dealers and consumers are losing in competition with overseas buyers
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