Which Side is the Steering Wheel on Japanese Cars?

[LeLuke]

Japanese cars have the steering wheel on the right side because Japan follows left-hand traffic rules. Countries that drive on the right side of the road include: the United States, Canada, China, Russia, Germany, France, and Brazil. Countries that drive on the left side include: the United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand. Japanese car brands include Toyota, Honda, Lexus, Infiniti, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Suzuki. Taking the Lexus ES as an example: it is a mid-to-large-sized sedan equipped with a 2.0L naturally aspirated engine, producing a maximum horsepower of 173 and a maximum torque of 208 Nm, paired with a CVT continuously variable transmission.

[DelConnor]

I've rented and driven cars in Japan a few times, and the experience of having the steering wheel on the right side is deeply ingrained in my memory. Since I usually drive left-hand drive cars, when I first arrived in Japan, I almost instinctively drove on the wrong side of the road. The reason is simple: Japan drives on the left, just like the UK, largely due to historical colonial influences. The advantage of having the steering wheel on the right is better visibility on the left side, such as when changing lanes or making turns. However, there are also several drawbacks—shifting gears and operating turn signals are reversed, and it's easy to signal incorrectly if you're not careful. I recommend using navigation to familiarize yourself with the routes in advance when traveling to avoid panic as a beginner. Overall, you'll get used to it after a few days—the key is safety first.

[OAugust]

The fact that the steering wheel is on the right side in Japanese cars gets me really excited as a car enthusiast. Japanese sports cars like the Toyota Supra or Nissan GT-R all come standard with right-hand drive, and the feeling of being close to the ground while driving is absolutely thrilling! This stems from Japan's left-hand traffic rules, which date back to the early 20th century. The most fun part of driving a right-hand drive car is the counterintuitive steering wheel layout—for example, shifting gears with your left hand in a manual feels smoother than operating on the right side. But be careful when traveling abroad; don't rent a car and accidentally drive into left-hand traffic. I recommend fellow car enthusiasts to bring a bit of curiosity when playing with cars and explore the driving cultures of different countries.

[LouisDella]

When I rented a car during my trip to Japan, the steering wheel was indeed on the right side. This is due to Japan's left-hand traffic system, which makes transportation efficient and safe. As a tourist, I found it easy to confuse the turn signal and windshield wiper on the first day, which was quite dangerous. Fortunately, the car rental company provided a tip card with basic rules: keep to the left and pay attention to signals. Another tip is that intersections have different perspectives, so check the mirrors frequently to prevent accidents. It's advisable to check road conditions before bringing an international driver's license.

[RosalieLee]

The steering wheel position is fixed on the right side in Japanese cars. I've studied automotive design, and the reasoning is quite intuitive: with left-hand traffic, the car's layout must match the right-hand drive configuration. This not only affects handling but also involves the design of vehicle safety systems, such as sensors prioritizing monitoring of the left-side road conditions. In actual driving, I'm accustomed to operating buttons with a backhand motion, and when rare left-hand drive imported models are available, adjustments are necessary. Engineers have optimized this configuration during manufacturing, which is commendable. For beginners learning to drive, remembering the right-of-way rules makes things much easier.

[KeeganLynn]

I have a Japanese car at home with the steering wheel on the right, and it surprisingly feels quite comfortable to drive. The story began during a self-drive trip last year—after getting used to it, I found the visibility much clearer on left-hand traffic roads. However, at first, I often accidentally hit the wrong switches—like turning on the wipers instead of the turn signals. The key is forming habits: drive more on local roads and avoid highways to reduce stress. Japanese vehicle regulations ensure road consistency, and exported cars are converted to left-hand drive. Here’s my advice: don’t be afraid to try different car models—it’s endlessly fun.