Tired of waiting for cars, Japan’s consumers turn to motorcycles

For the past few decades, Honda Motor Co, Yamaha Motor Co and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd have operated under the assumption that local sales would shrink, in line with the aging population.But that trend has reversed, at least for now, thanks to changing consumer habits.

TOKYO: Japan’s motorcycle manufacturers, which cast their gaze abroad long ago to make up for shrinking domestic sales, are seeing a jump in demand from an unexpected place: their home market.

Sales of bikes with engines larger than 251cc rose 32% to 51,035 units in the first half, according to data released by the Japan Light Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Association this week.