QotW: What’s the most scenic place you’ve driven to?

Posted on July 21, 2025 by Steve Chang

Today, July 21, marks two important days of commemoration in Japan. The first is Natural Parks Day, remembering the day in 1957 when the Natural Parks Act was passed in order to protect and promote Japan’s national parks. The second is Japan’s Three Scenic Views Day, which coincides with Hayashi Shunsai’s birthday in 1618. The Edo period writer noted the three most beautiful views of ancient Japan (Matsushima,  Miyagi Prefecture; Amanohashidate, Kyoto Prefecture; and Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture). Such destinations are the perfect locales to plan a summer road trip around, and will often take you off the beaten path to reveal the majestic wonder of Mother Earth.

What’s the most scenic place you’ve driven to?

The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your favorite JNC for open air driving?“. Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 10 Comments

‘Cruising J-Town’ museum exhibit spotlights a pivotal chapter in car culture

Posted on July 18, 2025 by Ben Hsu

We suspect that many JNC readers were introduced to the wonders of Japanese cars during the Tuner Era of the late 80s and early 90s. The souped up imports that took over the streets triggered a paradigm shift in American car culture. Japanese Americans in Southern California were the first to “import tune” but the roots of the movement, which stretch back over a century, have largely been lost to time. A new exhibit at the Japanese National American Museum rectifies that oversight by delving into the rich history of Japanese American car culture. Continue reading →

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Jack White continues to exude cool with his latest ride

Posted on July 17, 2025 by Steve Chang

As we know all too well in the automotive realm, money does not buy taste. That’s not the case for musician Jack White. Despite a net worth deep into the 8-digit range, his vehicle choice is absolutely brilliant. In a social media post earlier this week the rocker revealed his latest acquisition, a 1991 Suzuki Samurai in his signature red with white stripes. Continue reading →

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Nissan Oppama plant closure is “the most difficult decision of my career” says CEO

Posted on July 16, 2025 by Ben Hsu

In what CEO Ivan Espinosa has called “the most difficult decision of my career,” Nissan announced Tuesday that it would be shutting down its Oppama plant. The factory has been in operation since 1961 and was Japan’s first full-scale integrated assembly plant. It has been called Nissan’s “mother plant”, a “holy land” and a “sacred site”, but after decades of building iconic cars and birthing Nissan’s motorsports program, it’s coming to a sad end. Continue reading →

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Mugen CF-48 wheel returns in very limited quantities

Posted on July 15, 2025 by Steve Chang

Mugen has announced a remake of its famed CF-48 wheel. Renowned for its functionality. the original was frequently found on tuned Hondas in the 80s, such as CRX, City, and EA/EF Civic. As with anything Mugen, they are pretty rare and expensive now, so a reproduction is certainly going to be welcome in the Honda world. Continue reading →

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QotW: What’s your favorite JNC for open air driving?

Posted on July 14, 2025 by Steve Chang

It’s summer and time for open top cruising. Japanese mrques haven’t traditionally been known for convertibles, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t good options for being at one with the elements. Let’s include T-tops, targas, canvas tops, and other assorted breezy alternatives, as well as not-exactly factory conversions from the likes of ASC and similar firms. That should open up (no pun intended) the choices.

What’s your favorite JNC for open air driving?

The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “Which Japanese car needs to be preserved for posterity?“. Continue reading →

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Turbo V8 GT3 race and road car duo prove that Toyota its not playing around

Posted on July 11, 2025 by Ben Hsu

Toyota is not sending any mixed signals about its intent to occupy every performance niche. Hot on the heels of a rumor about a mid-engined Celica, Toyota showed off a pair of supercars at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. We’ve seen the GT3 race car concept before, but what’s notable about this appearance is the fact that its road car counterpart came along for the ride. Continue reading →

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Channel your inner Bunta with an official ‘Initial D’ Zippo lighter

Posted on July 10, 2025 by Steve Chang
Zippo Initial D lighter 01
Zippo Initial D lighter 02

An official Initial D-themed Zippo has been released in Japan. The classic cigarette lighter depicts scenes from one of the manga’s most famous battles — between Takumi Fujiwara’s Toyota AE86 against the Todo School’s EK9 Honda Civic Type R — is laser-etched on both sides. The item is extremely limited, with only 150 units planned, and each one will be engraved with a serial number showing its sequence in production. Continue reading →

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Toyota’s revived GR Celica will be mid-engined, confusing fans

Posted on July 9, 2025 by Steve Chang

It’s pretty much assumed by now that Toyota will bring back the Celica, it’s just a matter of when. But a new report out of Japan comes with an extra dose of “what?” as well. Apparently, this new Celica will have a mid-engine configuration. Hmmm, it’s too bad Toyota didn’t have another mid-engined sports car nameplate lying around. Continue reading →

Posted in News | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

Nissan mulls Foxconn deal to save Oppama “mother” plant

Posted on July 8, 2025 by Ben Hsu

Earlier this year, in a desperate financial situation, Nissan announced it would close seven of its 17 factories around the world. Among the facilities on the chopping block was the Oppama plant, founded in 1961 and long considered the “mother” plant of Nissan for steering the company’s ascendance during the post-war and Bubble Economy years. To save it, Nissan is now considering a deal with Foxconn to let the Taiwanese electronics manufacturer build EVs there. Continue reading →

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QotW: Which Japanese car needs to be preserved for posterity?

Posted on July 7, 2025 by Ben Hsu

Today, July 7, Sevens Day, but also World Heritage Day in Japan. On this day 21 years ago the sacred pilgrimage route in the Kii Mountain Range was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The trail traces a path from Kyoto to Nara, both once capital cities of Japan, passing Shinto shrines that date back to the 9th century. In Wakayama Prefecture, which the route passes through, there’s an ordinance that says it all: “This irreplaceable asset of humankind must be protected, utilized, and passed on to future generations.” There isn’t a UNESCO designation for cars, but if there were, what’s one historic Japanese car would fit that description?

Which Japanese car needs to be preserved for posterity?

The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s your craziest car parking story?“. Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | 11 Comments

Happy Independence Day from JNC

Posted on July 4, 2025 by Dan Hsu

To commemorate the day 249 years ago when declared our independence from the British crown. This Tomica Nissan Fairlady Z has nothing to do with that, but a few years ago Japan’s favorite diecast toy company released a series of cars decorated with flags of the world. The cars were released exclusively via the Japanese grocery store and home goods chain Apita, and this Z sported USA livery that we thought would be fitting for today. Happy Independence Day from JNC!

Posted in Holidays | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

‘Subaru and Subaru’ promises to unite the worlds of ‘Initial D’ and ‘MF Ghost’

Posted on July 3, 2025 by Steve Chang

Subaru and Subaru, the sequel to Initial D and MF Ghost, launches in a few weeks. As the debut approaches, the series’ plot summary and setting has emerged. Apparently it will take place after the events of MF Ghost, in the same universe that Initial D occurs in. There’s also a new image of the ZD8 Subaru BRZ (above) that will be one of the star cars int he series. Continue reading →

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Toyota Land Cruisers at Tokyo Outdoor Show to promote 60, 70, and 80 series GR Heritage Parts

Posted on July 2, 2025 by Steve Chang

Toyota entered the Tokyo Outdoor Show over the weekend with a pair of classic Land Cruisers. The trucks, an FJ40 and FJ60, hailed from the Toyota Automobile Museum’s collection and have undergone impeccable restorations. They were on site to promote Toyota’s GR Heritage Parts program, which recently expanded to include J60, J70, and J80 Land Cruisers. Continue reading →

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Akio Toyoda presents awards to SuperGT and JGTC masters

Posted on July 1, 2025 by Ben Hsu

How many jobs does Akio Toyoda have? He’s already chairman of Toyota, a semi-pro race car driver, and president of the Japan Sumo Association. Now he’s adding another feather in his cap, chairman of the Automobile Business and Culture Association of Japan. For years the trade organization has operated without much fanfare, but now that Morizo’s in charge he wants to make some changes. One of his objectives is to shine a spotlight on Japan’s motorsports. So for his first official task as chairman Toyoda presented awards to four “Iron Men” of SuperGT. Continue reading →

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QotW: What’s your craziest car parking story?

Posted on June 30, 2025 by Ben Hsu

Parking is one of those unfortunate tasks that accompanies the fun of driving. Whether it’s circling for open spaces, dealing with ornery/incompetent drivers, paying exorbitant prices, of fending off door dings, parking is fraught with peril. Yet we have no choice but to endure any number of indignities that come with securing real estate for something that’s dear to you but seen by the majority of the public as a nuisance at best. This QotW was inspired by a garage that checked your entry and departure by license plate, yet failed to read ours, sending us on a Sisyphean side quest of negative net value.

What’s your craziest car parking story?

The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What’s the greatest Japanese luxury sedan?“. Continue reading →

Posted in Question of the Week | Tagged | 10 Comments

Toyota GR Garage acquires a clapped out AE86

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Ben Hsu

Here’s a good one for Toyotafest Eve. Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division has picked up a decrepit AE86. They say it’s the start of a new restoration project, but why begin with something so far gone? Surely Toyota has the resources to find a better starting point. Well, the selection appears to be intentional because the plan is to show what is possible using Toyota GR Heritage Parts. Continue reading →

Posted in Restoration, Video | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Toyota built a one-off open-top Century SUV for sumo champions

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Steve Chang

Is the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet too common for you? Toyota might just have the ultimate droptop crossover in the form of the Century SUV. The bad news is, there’s only one in the entire world, and you have to be a sumo champion to get a ride in it. Continue reading →

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Iconic SP will be “a good successor for RX-7” says top Mazda exec

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Steve Chang

Few companies are making pure, timelessly beautiful sports cars any more. The Mazda Iconic SP might be the very last one that uses gasoline, if it gets made. A few more details about it have surfaced, and it seems like Mazda engineers are stopping just short of telling us that it’s green-lit. Continue reading →

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A 1977 Toyota Celica is driving 10,000 miles from the Czech Republic to Japan for the Osaka Expo

Posted on June 24, 2025 by Ben Hsu

There are 158 countries participating in the Osaka Expo, currently being held in in Japan. As far as we know, the Czech Republic is the only one sending a delegation of vintage cars across Europe and Asia to get there. Among them, a first-generation Toyota Celica that will drive nearly 10,000 miles to visit its homeland. Continue reading →

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