Naoto Okamura Naoto Okamura, the Tokyo-based news assistant, supports Automotive News coverage from Japan through a wide array of reporting, interviewing, translation and news gathering. [email protected] +81-3-6434-0640 See All Staff Page Recent Stories Automakers & Suppliers Ghosn's new lawyer: Case against my client 'is not normal' Attorney Junichiro Hironaka, nicknamed "The Razor" for his cutting questions — blamed Nissan for his client's legal troubles. Panel said to be opposed to Renault chair leading Nissan's board Manufacturing Subaru strains under production pressure Workers in Japan are pushed to the wall to crank out cars, while a rash of production hitches has slammed Subaru's reputation for quality. And the problems are slowly showing up in America. Automakers & Suppliers Mitsubishi scoffs at Renault holding firm Mitsubishi is circling wagons with Nissan against any plan to fold the Japanese duo into a holding company with their alliance partner Renault. Sales Subaru sees 3% growth in U.S. Subaru President Tomomi Nakamura is bullish about sales growth in the brand's key U.S. market, forecasting an 11th straight year of record U.S. volume in 2019, as it rebuilds trust and sales at home. Executives Ghosn focuses on next rescue: Himself To hear Ghosn's lead lawyer tell it, the ousted Nissan chairman -- even after two months in a Tokyo jail cell -- is calm, cool and laser-focused on the task of proving his innocence in court. Ghosn’s wife petitions Human Rights Watch to pressure JapanRenault says widening probe examined pay to Ghosn aide SepehriNissan exec Jose Munoz resigns as crisis deepens Design Redesigned Insight a lure for sedan buyers? Honda is hoping the newly redesigned Insight sedan will give the company a new way to attract sedan buyers. Executives Ghosn's Tokyo jail no country club Japan's jail system treats Carlos Ghosn, one of the auto industry's most powerful executives, like any other criminal suspect. Executives Inspection scandal fueled dissatisfaction Japan's ongoing scandal over faulty final inspections stood as a symbolic backdrop to Nissan's bombshell ouster of superstar Chairman Carlos Ghosn. Automakers & Suppliers Subaru quality problems extend to U.S. Subaru has been dogged by rising quality problems in Japan. The lapses are now bleeding into the all-important U.S., and global President Tomomi Nakamura isn't happy. Manufacturing Japan's automakers wonder how to go more 'local' under USMCA Japan's carmakers see tough challenges in meeting more stringent North American local-content rules. They may have to rethink sourcing of seven key component systems. Automakers & Suppliers Lexus adds ES to Japan lineup Lexus hopes demand for premium rides can offset a shrinking market for large sedans. Manufacturing China poses challenge for Nissan-Google partnership Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi's plan to roll out Google connectivity faces a roadblock in China. Cars & Concepts Japan recruits Subaru, Uber and Boeing to get flying cars off the ground Japan plans to commercialize flying cars as early as the 2020s through a government-backed campaign that already has recruited the likes of Subaru, Uber and Boeing. Sales Subaru tries to overcome fuel data scandal in Japan Incoming Subaru President Tomomi Nakamura is banking on the redesigned Forester to stoke U.S. sales and help rebuild the brand's tarnished image at home. Automakers & Suppliers Mitsu gets back to a profit on N.A. boost Rebounding profits in North America helped troubled Mitsubishi Motors Corp. jump back into the black in the just-finished fiscal year, as the recovering Japanese automaker rode a tail wind of surging sales, big cost cuts and favorable exchange rates. Load More
Naoto Okamura Naoto Okamura, the Tokyo-based news assistant, supports Automotive News coverage from Japan through a wide array of reporting, interviewing, translation and news gathering. [email protected] +81-3-6434-0640 See All Staff Page