Honda Motor Co. Ltd. Announced Thursday it will commence importing vehicles manufactured in the United States to Japan in the second half of 2026, a move facilitated by a recent simplification of certification requirements for U.S.-made automobiles. The initial models slated for export are the Acura Integra Type S and the Honda Passport TrailSport Elite.
The decision follows a revised certification system established by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), designed to streamline the process for U.S.-produced passenger vehicles. This change comes after a tariff agreement between the two countries last year, according to Honda’s statement.
This marks the first time Acura, Honda’s luxury vehicle division, will be officially sold in Japan. The Integra Type S, a high-performance variant of the Acura Integra, is currently manufactured exclusively in Ohio. The Passport TrailSport Elite, an off-road focused SUV, is built in Alabama, having been designed in California and developed in Ohio, according to Honda.
Both vehicles will be sold in Japan with their current U.S. Specifications, including left-hand drive configurations. Honda exhibited both models at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2026 and Osaka Auto Messe 2026, generating significant interest from potential Japanese customers, the company stated.
The Integra’s introduction to the Japanese market carries historical significance. When Acura was first launched in the United States in 1986, the Integra was one of its initial offerings, though it was sold as a Honda model in Japan at that time. The current export represents a reversal of that arrangement.
Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, LLC (HDMA) produces both the Acura Integra Type S and the Honda Passport TrailSport Elite.
