Japanese car prices continue to rise steadily: Toyota Corolla prices have increased by 60% over the past ten years.

According to Nikkei Asian Review, it is becoming increasingly difficult for young people in Japan to own their own car. Over the past decade, various factors such as inflation, tightening safety regulations, and technological upgrades have caused a significant increase in car prices in Japan, far surpassing the growth in wages during the same period. Data from the Japan Statistics Bureau shows that from 2015 to 2025, the prices of light vehicles have risen by 33%, reaching a historical high of 1.76 million yen. During the same period, the prices of compact cars increased by 31% to 2.39 million yen, and regular cars by 24% to 3.72 million yen. Taking Toyota's core model Corolla as an example, its starting price has skyrocketed by about 60% since 2015, from 1.45 million yen to 2.28 million yen in 2025. However, according to data from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, the wage increase for full-time employees in Japan between 2015 and 2025 was slightly above 10%. The steep rise in car prices compared to income growth has made many potential car buyers hesitant.