A recent trend has seen Japanese youth drifting away from car ownership, creating a significant divide between urban and rural areas. This polarizing shift, particularly predominant among city-dwelling young adults, is reportedly due to accessibility of public transportation, coupled with the escalating costs of owning and maintaining a vehicle. Analysts attribute the trend to both economic and lifestyle choices, with major consequences for Japan's automotive industry, urban planning, and regional economies.

In Japan, car ownership has traditionally been a symbol of economic status and independence. However, the increasing urbanization, higher cost of living, and extensive public transportation has shifted younger generations' preferences away from private vehicles. This drastic change affects several societal aspects, including Japan's automotive industry, localization of businesses, and even the rural-urban population distribution.

In comparison to the US or EU where owning a car is often a necessity due to less widespread public transportation, the situation is quite different. Japan's efficient public transportation system has become a reliable replacement for private vehicles, especially in larger cities. Meanwhile, in many rural regions, the trend could further exacerbate the issues of economic stagnation and population decline.