<P>103页 pdf </P>
<P>Introduction<BR>Throughout the era of high economic growth, the Japanese automobile parts<BR>industry grew consistently. However, the collapse of the bubble economy saw the<BR>industry enter a downturn, and with competition in the automobile industry<BR>intensifying worldwide, it now finds itself confronting a period of great upheaval. The<BR>transition engulfing the automobile parts manufacturing industry can be characterized<BR>as follows:<BR>• Production volumes in the parts manufacturing industry are declining as domestic<BR>demand for automobiles decreases.<BR>• Demands for price reductions are growing stronger.<BR>• As automobile manufacturers expand their overseas manufacturing operations,<BR>they demand that parts manufacturers have an overseas presence.<BR>• As automobile manufacturers seek to optimize their supply chains, they more<BR>readily conduct business with companies that do not belong to their<BR>conglomerates.<BR>• Environmentally friendly technology is supported.<BR>• Modularization is supported.<BR>• Competition is intensifying as foreign parts manufacturers enter the Japanese<BR>market.<BR>In this changing business environment, the differences between Japanese parts<BR>manufacturers are being magnified. With companies increasingly willing to do<BR>business outside their conglomerates, foreign parts manufacturers are coming in and<BR>stirring up the Japanese market, and even eclipsing their Japanese counterparts.<BR>At the same time, Japanese parts manufacturers are being forced to take on their<BR>foreign competitors, and are increasingly undertaking mergers with a view to forming<BR>companies that can supply integral systems. Hence, it is likely that the on-going<BR>shake-up in the automobile parts industry will continue.<BR>This report does not cover all automobile parts, but specifically focuses on<BR>assembly parts for new automobiles. It covers the present structure of the market,<BR>relevant laws and regulations, and changes in business practices, as well as discussing<BR>prospects for the future.<BR>The report also examines foreign parts manufacturers that have already entered<BR>the Japanese market and trends in the parts that they have brought to the market. In<BR>this way light is shed on the methods by which foreign parts manufacturers enter the<BR>Japanese market and the various related issues that arise. In addition, sectors of the</P>
<P>market that show promise for the future are identified, and advice is offered to<BR>potential entrants.<BR>This survey was carried out by the Yano Research Institute and the results have<BR>been collated by JETRO.</P>
<P>Table of Contents<BR>Summary ....................................................................................................................... 1<BR>I. Market Overview................................................................................................. 4<BR>A. Background of the Automobile Assembly Parts Market................................................4<BR>B Market Trends for Automobile Assembly Parts..............................................................8<BR>II. Related Laws and Regulations.................................................................... 19<BR>A. Gas emissions regulations ............................................................................................19<BR>B. Fuel consumption regulations.......................................................................................21<BR>C. Reducing the pollutant load..........................................................................................22<BR>D. The Automobile Recycling Law ..................................................................................24<BR>III. Business Models and Business Practices ............................................... 25<BR>A. Structure of the Industry...............................................................................................25<BR>B. Japanese Business Practices .........................................................................................28<BR>IV. Market Trends for Individual Assembly Parts................................... 31<BR>A. Radiators......................................................................................................................31<BR>B. Piston Rings..................................................................................................................33<BR>C. Wiring Harnesses..........................................................................................................35<BR>D. Headlights.....................................................................................................................38<BR>E. Transmissions ...............................................................................................................41<BR>F. Wheels..........................................................................................................................43<BR>G. Shock Absorbers...........................................................................................................46<BR>H. Disc pads ......................................................................................................................48<BR>I. Fuel tanks.......................................................................................................................51<BR>J. Seatbelts........................................................................................................................54<BR>V. Examples of Foreign Entry .......................................................................... 57<BR>A. Entry to the Japanese Automobile Assembly Parts Market by Foreign Parts<BR>Manufacturers ...................................................................................................................57<BR>B. Factors in Successful Entry to the Japanese Market by Foreign Parts manufacturers..58<BR>C. Case Studies of Foreign Parts Manufacturers...............................................................60<BR>VI. Advice Market on Market Access ............................................................ 65<BR>A. Promising Markets for Foreign Parts Manufacturers ...................................................65<BR>B. Issues Relating to Entry to the Japanese Market ..........................................................68<BR>C. Promising Methods of Entry to the Market ..................................................................70<BR>VII. Appendices...................................................................................................... 75<BR>A. Related Organizations ..................................................................................................75</P>
<P>B. Automobile Manufacturers...........................................................................................78<BR>C. Leading Parts Manufacturers........................................................................................79<BR>D. Related Trade Fairs and Exhibitions (regular events) ..................................................82<BR>Procedures for Investing in Japan .................................................................. 84<BR>I. Summary and Procedures for Establishing a Base in Japan.............................. 84<BR>A. Establishing a Base in Japan ........................................................................................84<BR>B. Investment-Related Laws and Regulations ..................................................................86<BR>C. Preferential Treatment for Investment in Japan............................................................87<BR>II. Sources of Information on Investment in Japan ................................................ 90<BR>A. Governmental Offices for the Invest Japan Program ...................................................90<BR>B. Sources of Information in Investment in Japan ............................................................91<BR>III. JETRO Services ................................................................................................... 94<BR>A. JETRO Invest Japan Business Support Center (IBSC) ................................................94<BR>B. Providing Information on Investment in Japan ............................................................95</P>