Japan Wants U.S.-Built Toyotas — So They’re Converting Them to Right-Hand Drive

Japanese Brands – American Hands

Japanese-branded, American-made – three U.S.-made Toyotas are headed to the East, which include the Toyota Camry midsize sedan, Highlander SUV, and Tundra full-size truck. The Camry and the Highlander are models aiming to make a comeback in the Japanese market. The Camry was last seen for sale in Japan in 2023, while the Highlander (known as the Kluger for the Japanese market) made its last appearance in Toyota dealerships in 2007 – almost two decades ago.

It's funny to think that Japan Domestic Market (JDM) models have a certain desirability to U.S. car enthusiasts. Once upon a time, Japan kept the best stuff for itself, but now they're knocking on the doors of their American factories.

Surprisingly, U.S. factories are reportedly being given OEM support to convert their left-hand-drive models to right-hand drive for export.

Toyota Reverse-Imports Three Models

The first of the models, the Toyota Camry, comes at a very opportune time for it to make some noise in its segment. The midsize sedan faces modest internal competition in its "home" country, with luxury models like the Toyota Crown and Lexus ES as premium offerings out of reach for many car buyers, while basic sedans like the Toyota Corolla are still big sellers but lack luxuries. The Camry will sit between the two extremes – not too expensive and not too ill-equipped for business users seeking premium comfort and luxury without the hefty Lexus or Crown tax.

Next is the Highlander, which is returning to Japan after almost 20 years. The fourth generation is currently pegged as the incoming model for the Japanese market. However, a fully electric model was just revealed for the U.S. market. On the horizon, Toyota is also set to launch the new all-electric Highlander later this year, in the third quarter of 2026 as a 2027 model year. Will Japan shift factories to source the new battery-electric vehicle soon? We'll leave that story to develop for now.

The last Toyota for export from U.S. shores is the venerable Tundra. This pickup truck has huge proportions, seemingly sizing itself out of the narrow city streets of Japan. Needless to say, it will be a unique model that could put Toyota at the top of the full-sized pickup truck segment in the Japanese market.

All models are expected to be right-hand drive, with a rumor that the Toyota Tundra will be the only one sold as a left-hand-drive model to Japanese consumers, as reported by Japan's Best Car.

Not For Sale – Yet

Thanks to the American-made Toyota Highlander being designated as an official vehicle of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, at least one Toyota Highlander is already registered and driving on Japanese roads.

Car buyers reportedly inquired at Toyota dealerships about the model, asking what it is and how they can get their hands on one. The fourth-generation Highlander is still not officially on sale in Japan. Dealers had to explain the situation to these inquisitive buyers and subsequently tell them to return at a later date. Apparently, each explanation is on a "case-by-case" basis.

Why American-Made Cars Are Going To Japan

Toyota, Honda, and Nissan all state that their goal in selling these American models is to meet the diverse needs of a broad range of customers and improve Japan-U.S. trade relations. With this, the new system developed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism will allow American-built cars to enter the Japanese market without requiring local safety testing.

The "Joint Statement on Framework Agreement between Japan and the United States" is one of the programs that allows cars made in the United States to be imported into Japan and go on sale without certification or testing. The two countries have aligned their safety standards to increase the flow of commerce in their respective automotive sectors.

Other Cars That Will Be Imported to Japan From The U.S.

As mentioned, Toyota will be reverse-importing three models: the Camry, the Highlander, and the Tundra, all U.S.-spec models, with the Camry and Highlander receiving a right-hand-drive conversion for the Japanese market. The Tundra's rumored to come as left-hand-drive only for the Japanese market. It is important to note that Japanese car buyers are inquiring about the fourth-generation Highlander, not the incoming fifth-generation electric-only model.

The same can be said for Nissan, which also announced that the Murano is making a return to the Japanese market, thanks to U.S. Manufacturing, with sales set to begin in early 2027. Nissan also plans to sell it as is with the steering wheel on the left side.

Furthermore, Honda is bringing two more American-made models: the Acura Integra Type S and the Honda Passport TrailSport Elite. According to Honda, the two models drew a lot of interest at the recent 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon and Osaka Auto Messe 2026, and visitors also expressed expectations for their launch in the Japanese market, with confirmation from Honda itself.

Japan Hits Itself With A Reverse Card

The automotive industry is full of surprises. Three Japanese car manufacturers are set to import American-made models into their local lineups. The U.S.-produced models are coming, and anticipation is building in the Japanese car industry.

On a side note, the 25-year rule has fully encompassed all the legendary 90s Japanese nameplates, and Japanese sports cars from that era are commanding premiums as Americans are eager to import them. This whole situation is starting to look like a bit of a "trade deal" of sorts. The U.S. gets old Japanese legends, and Japan gets modern U.S.-bred models for its market. Win-win?

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