TOKYO — Japan’s most iconic truck is perhaps the tiny white transport autos that farmers use to lug gear on the slim roads that hyperlink their rice fields.

However Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had one other truck in thoughts as she seemed to construct rapport with visiting U.S. President Donald Trump.

Takaichi, who needs to enhance financial ties with Washington and cement a robust relationship with Trump, positioned U.S.-made vehicles, together with an unlimited American Ford F-150 truck, within the courtyard of the Akasaka Palace the place the leaders held their first talks Tuesday.

Trump, who’s a fan of the Ford F-150, has responded positively to the likelihood that the Japanese authorities is contemplating shopping for dozens of the pickups.

Trump has complained that there are hardly any American vehicles in Japan and that the nation’s automobile security requirements are too strict.

However the lack of massive American vehicles is perhaps linked to extra sensible causes, together with native tastes, the circumstances and measurement of roads, and advertising and marketing.

Japan is smaller than California, there may be restricted parking and lots of streets listed below are very slim.

Shoppers appear to favor compact or mini vehicles that may simply navigate the crowded, slim roads. Those that can afford costlier international vehicles are inclined to go for compact or medium-size autos from Europe, similar to Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen and Audi.

Aside from American-produced Japanese vehicles similar to Honda, Mazda and Nissan, the top-selling American model is Jeep, based on the Japan Car Importers Affiliation.

Many American vehicles have their steering on the left aspect, the other of the usual right-side steering in Japan, the place expressway tolls are on the proper aspect, as an illustration. Decrease mileage and lack of upkeep and repair networks additionally assist clarify why American manufacturers aside from Jeep have struggled in Japan.

“Why do not American vehicles promote effectively in Japan? As a result of they lack understanding for highway circumstances and housing conditions, in addition to vitality conservation,” former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba instructed parliament in April.

When Trump heard of the Ford truck thought as he flew to Asia on Air Pressure One, he reacted enthusiastically.

“She has good style,” Trump instructed reporters of Takaichi. “That’s a sizzling truck.”

The underlying context is Takaichi’s want to determine the best way to navigate the advanced commerce relationship that Trump shook up earlier this yr with tariffs.

Trump needs 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 needs the investments to favor Japanese distributors and contractors.

In Japan, sport utility autos and have gotten common amongst individuals with households and for outside actions similar to tenting, however consumers usually go for extra trendy, smaller fashions.