Japan’s Post-War Reconstruction, the Car Industry, and Nissan/Datsun

Abstract

The outbreak of the Korean War resulted in American (and British) occupation powers to lift Allied restrictions on Japanese industry. The Japanese car industry revived under MITI’s guide and its market protection. Although ranking second next to Toyota in domestic shares, Nissan superseded in exports and overseas assembling. Nissan’s leadership was essential in both launching JAMA and internationalising Japanese trade unions. Facing competition from the aggressively rising Honda, Nissan gave full gas to its plant projects in the US and Europe. The queen’s visit to Japan in May 1975 marked a turning point for improving Anglo-Japanese relations, encouraging the Japanese to invest in Britain. Britain was targeted as one of the most suitable location in Europe, but not without rivals.