Within a week, Japanese media have twice explicitly highlighted Chinese manufacturing, sending a strong signal.
The first mention came on March 25, when Sony Honda announced the suspension of development and sales of electric vehicles (EVs), marking the temporary end of a project launched in 2022. While this was originally just a routine project transition, Japanese media pointed out that Chinese companies are increasingly leading in EV technology, performance, and pricing. With the project's cancellation, Japanese automakers will fall significantly behind their Chinese counterparts in the EV sector, losing global competitiveness.
The second mention occurred on March 20, when Japanese media sourly noted that by 2025, China is projected to sell 27 million cars globally, while Japan will only sell 2.5 million—marking the first time since 2000 that Japan has lost its position as the world’s top auto market. A statement from the president of Hino Motors carries deep meaning: “Don’t assume Chinese cars are simply cheap.”
This reflects the current awkward situation facing Japan’s automotive industry: Chinese vehicles not only cost less but also offer superior quality and after-sales service. In fact, Chinese manufacturing is rising across industries, and Japanese consumers have already felt it deeply. Twenty years ago, Chinese home appliances were virtually unseen in Japan, but today, 70% of appliance brands available in the market are Chinese brands.
Industrial rise often brings cultural revival. Previously, many Chinese people watched Japanese anime, bought Korean and Japanese cosmetics and clothing—but now such trends are diminishing. In their place, domestic animation is booming, and more people are embracing national-style fashion and choosing Chinese-made products. The shift in apparel is especially noticeable: with spring outings approaching, sales of domestic brands like Anta, Xtep, and Li-Ning have surged on domestic platforms like VIP.com. The excellent cost-performance ratio of Chinese goods, combined with extremely low discounts offered by platforms, has attracted a large wave of consumer return.
In my view, rather than genuine concern, Japanese media’s repeated mentions seem more like desperation. It’s not just about being overtaken in sales figures—it’s also about the rules being rewritten. When Chinese cars evolve from “cheap” to “great to drive,” when Chinese appliances occupy 70% of the Japanese market, and when Chinese fashion replaces the popularity of Korean and Japanese styles, this reversal is no longer merely an industrial competition—it’s a choice of the era.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1860723510390919/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.