In 2024, the sales of commercial vehicles in Japan amounted to approximately ***units, decreasing by **** percent compared to the previous year. The automotive industry defines commercial vehicles by their intended function: trucks have large loading spaces separated from the cabin, and buses/coaches offer at least nine passenger seats beside the driver.
Which commercial vehicles sell in Japan?
In Japan, trucks are of higher significance for domestic freight transportation than buses are for domestic public transportation. Accordingly, they sell in much higher numbers. In 2023, unit sales of trucks amounted to roughly **, while about Ìýbuses were sold in the same period. Almost **** of the trucks sold were mini-sized. For both trucks and buses, Toyota was one of the best-selling brands.
Commercial vehicles: not to be confused with commercial use vehicles
Automotive manufacturers and Japanese Law employ different senses of ‘commercial’ for vehicles. While the OICA definition centers on the specialized construction and vehicle mass, the Japanese Road Transport Vehicle Law, in contrast, distinguishes commercial business and private use depending on actual usage determined by the vehicle's registration. Hence, commercial use vehicles are all vehicles transporting goods or people at a freight rate or fare, such as public buses. Any vehicle, which is not for commercial use, is in principle for private use. Following this definition, roughly *** million vehicles on Japanese roads had a registration for commercial use.
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OICA. (April 17, 2025). Commercial vehicle sales volume in Japan from 2015 to 2024 (in 1,000 units) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Retrieved July 30, 2026, from /statistics/265934/commercial-vehicle-sales-in-japan/
OICA. "Commercial vehicle sales volume in Japan from 2015 to 2024 (in 1,000 units)." Chart. April 17, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Accessed July 30, 2026. /statistics/265934/commercial-vehicle-sales-in-japan/
OICA. (2025). Commercial vehicle sales volume in Japan from 2015 to 2024 (in 1,000 units). ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 30, 2026. /statistics/265934/commercial-vehicle-sales-in-japan/
OICA. "Commercial Vehicle Sales Volume in Japan from 2015 to 2024 (in 1,000 Units)." ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc., 17 Apr 2025, /statistics/265934/commercial-vehicle-sales-in-japan/
OICA, Commercial vehicle sales volume in Japan from 2015 to 2024 (in 1,000 units) ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, /statistics/265934/commercial-vehicle-sales-in-japan/ (last visited July 30, 2026)
Commercial vehicle sales volume in Japan from 2015 to 2024 (in 1,000 units) [Graph], OICA, April 17, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/265934/commercial-vehicle-sales-in-japan/