The Captivating Car Culture of Japan: From the Takuri to Drifting

Abstract

This thesis will look into the automotive history of Japan, how it began in the early 1900’s, how it evolved post-World War II and the high point of Japanese automotive history during the 1990’s. How and what the main car cultures commonly known outside of Japan are as well as their sub car cultures. How these lesser known subcultures made their appearances in Japan, and how they’ve spread both domestically and internationally whilst both giving inspiration to foreign car cultures as well as being influenced by them as well. The intention of this thesis is to inform while connecting the different Japanese car cultures to certain points so as they diverge, they will still be associated with the core Japanese automotive history and the progress of it. How the prefectures, the state of Japan, geological aspects, rules and regulations all come together to form these subcultures as well as how the reader might be able to experience it in person.