Part 7/9:
The struggles of Nissan and Honda in China serve as microcosms of a broader existential threat to the Japanese automotive industry. Globally, both brands have reported declining sales in 2025, reflecting a systemic shift away from traditional Japanese automakers' dominance. The analogy is apt—just as the Roman Empire once experienced a decline after peak dominance, the Japanese industry appears to be heading toward a terminal decline, with diminishing market share and innovation.