Washington, D.C. – Japanese-brand automakers are an integral part of the U.S. economy and through decades of sustained good-quality foreign direct investment (FDI) in American manufacturing, these companies have helped support over 2.3 million U.S. jobs.

In an updated study, from Dr. Thomas Prusa of Rutgers University, the depth and impact of Japanese-brand automakers’ operations – which today span production, research and development, corporate activities, distribution and a nationwide dealership network – is clear. As the industry continues to evolve, these figures underscore their long-term commitment to driving economic growth, supporting American workers, and providing innovative and affordable vehicles for U.S. consumers.

According to the study, in 2025 Japanese-brand automakers and their dealer networks supported:

• 480,000 direct jobs in manufacturing operations, research and development, corporate activities, sales, distribution, and dealerships.
• 946,000 intermediate jobs in automotive supply chain and related industries
• 919,000 spin-off jobs were generated through broader economic activity.

In fact, over the last 13 years, Japanese-brand automakers’ manufacturing employment growth outpaced overall U.S. manufacturing growth nearly seven to one. Since 2012, Japanese-brand automaker’s manufacturing employment has grown 34 percent while U.S. manufacturing employment has grown approximately 5 percent.

These jobs generate an estimated $221 billion in labor compensation and $161 billion in disposable household income providing livelihoods and future opportunities for hundreds of thousands of families across the U.S. Growing U.S. investments and a sustained commitment to the American workforce are key themes in JAMA’s annual Impact Report titled “Powering America’s Automotive Industry.” This report details how Japanese-brand automakers have invested more than $70 billion in cumulative U.S. manufacturing, $4.7 billion in cumulative R&D spending and illustrates how their presence spans 26 manufacturing plants, 41 R&D centers, and 65 distribution facilities across 27 states. Today, approximately 50% of the vehicles JAMA members sell in the United States are built here at home, emphasizing their deep and ongoing commitment to American workers and communities.

“Japanese-brand automakers play a critical role in supporting American jobs and strengthening the U.S. manufacturing base,” said Anita Rajan, General Director of JAMA USA. “The over 2.3 million jobs supported by our members’ U.S. operations and dealer networks reflect decades of investment and a deep commitment to U.S. workers, local communities, and economic growth.”

“As the industry continues to evolve, our members remain committed to expanding that impact through continued investment in U.S. operations, workforce development, and innovation,” Rajan added.

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The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc. (JAMA) is a non-profit industry association that comprises Japan’s fourteen manufacturers of passenger cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles. The JAMA USA office is located in Washington, D.C.

To learn more about the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) USA, follow us on X @JapanAutosUSA, LinkedIn, or visit JAMAinAmerica.org.