Honda and Acura Send US-Built LHD Models to Japan

Japan is getting a surprising new kind of import: American-built Hondas and Acuras that arrive exactly as they’re sold in the United States—steering wheel included.

Honda and its premium brand Acura have started exporting a limited number of US-market vehicles to Japan without converting them to right-hand drive. That means Japanese buyers will be piloting left-hand-drive (LHD) cars on roads designed for right-hand-drive traffic, from tight Tokyo side streets to toll booths and parking garages built around the opposite seating position.

Which US-built models are heading to Japan?

The initial wave centers on two enthusiast-friendly nameplates that roll off American production lines and now cross the Pacific in full US specification:

• Acura Integra Type S (built in Ohio)
• Honda Passport Trailsport Elite (built in Alabama)

It’s an unusual sight in Japan’s new-car market, where domestic brands traditionally prioritize right-hand-drive layouts for everyday convenience. But for a niche audience, the “wrong-side” driving position is part of the appeal.

Acura Integra Type S: manual, turbo, and unapologetically US-spec

Positioned as the more mature, liftback-sedan cousin to the Honda Civic Type R, the Integra Type S arrives with the hardware enthusiasts care about—and none of the compromises typically associated with market conversions.

Key specifications include:

• Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged K20 inline-four
• Output: 320 hp (324 PS)
• Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
• Transmission: 6-speed manual
• Performance tech: Limited-slip differential

For Japanese fans of USDM and left-hand-drive performance cars, it’s a factory-backed way to get something that feels distinctly “American-market,” right down to the cabin layout.

Honda Passport Trailsport Elite: a rugged SUV Japan rarely sees

Japan isn’t exactly starved for SUVs, but the Honda Passport occupies a different space than most domestic offerings: a larger, V6-powered, adventure-leaning midsize SUV that’s common in North America.

Honda is reportedly sending it in a single trim, emphasizing the off-road image:

• Trim: Trailsport Elite
• Engine: 3.5-liter V6
• Output: 285 hp (289 PS)
• Transmission: 10-speed automatic
• Drivetrain: All-wheel drive

In a country known for compact city cars and tight streets, a Passport will be more statement piece than mainstream family hauler—especially with left-hand drive.

“Where’s the steering wheel supposed to be?”

The practical challenges are obvious. Japan, like the UK, Australia, and South Africa, is a right-hand-drive market. Everyday infrastructure—ticket machines, drive-thrus, multi-story car parks—assumes the driver sits on the right.

Still, Japan has long had a collector and enthusiast scene that actively seeks out left-hand-drive cars, much like American fans chase right-hand-drive JDM icons. In that context, an LHD Honda or Acura becomes less of a nuisance and more of a talking point.

More than enthusiast bait: the trade and politics angle

This isn’t only about giving gearheads a novelty. Exporting US-built vehicles to Japan also carries a geopolitical undertone, helping chip away—if only slightly—at trade imbalance narratives that frequently surface in US-Japan economic discussions.

The timing also echoes broader political chatter about automotive imports. Notably, former US president Donald Trump previously floated interest in allowing Japanese kei cars on American roads—tiny, tax-advantaged microcars that have become cultural staples in Japan.

Toyota is doing it too—and the Tundra in Tokyo is no longer a joke

Honda isn’t alone in sending American-built metal back to Japan. Toyota has confirmed plans to import US-made vehicles into Japan starting in 2026, including:

• Toyota Camry
• Toyota Highlander
• Toyota Tundra (yes, the Texas-built pickup)

If that strategy sticks, Japan could see a small but noticeable rise in US-built, left-hand-drive imports—vehicles purchased as much for their market identity as for their specs.

For now, the Integra Type S and Passport look set to remain niche players. But they also signal something bigger: automakers are increasingly willing to treat Japan not just as an exporter of cars, but as a destination for distinctly American-market vehicles—quirks and all.

Related Post

Read More

Could a 3-Door Version Make the 2026 Passport Cheaper?

Shortened Passport concept surfaces in realistic renderings Honda’s fourth-generation Passport — unveiled for the 2026 model...