Japan is quite a fascinating places when it comes to cars. The country has developed its automotive industry with quite a unique identity after WW2 but still likes the global "style" of automobile. Within the country, the are also subcultures associated with particular group of people, e.g. bosozoku, ricer, etc.
The Japanese consumers have indeed learnt a thing or two about cars when it comes down to pragmaticism of car ownership. Typical car ownership scenario in Japan involves family of 3 with one 4-seater kei or 5-seater compact hatchback; or family of 4/5 with one 7-seater (usually wagon) and a kei.
But, farmers, with ample subsidy from local government to run their business, regulated [high] price of agricultural produce, extended family living together within the same land plot, and relatively cheaper living cost in rural areas; have some spare change and purchasing power. And when they go for cars, oh boy, they GO!
This morning, I realized a farmer family in my town has five cars in their open-layout garage: just a roof with plastered floor. Those five cars are: a Subaru SUV, a BMW station wagon, a Daihatsu kei, a Nissan kei truck, and a Mazda sedan.
Later I noticed that the Subaru SUV is no longer there, now there is a Mazda SUV.
The immediate neighbor has a Lexus, a Toyota wagon, and three keis. And the next neighbor collects Porsches, and drives quite a VW. Oh boy.
This neighbor just got a BMW replacing the VW for the daily.
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