Taken from a JAMA website, a paper given several years ago:
In addition to producing more than one vehicle in Canada for every one sold, Canada has been a net exporter of Japanese badged vehicles since 1994, as exports from Canadian plants have exceeded imports from Japan, the U.S. and Mexico. What's more, Japanese automakers have been increasing their purchases from Canadian suppliers, and with current expansions substantial new business opportunities will likely more than double current levels of activity.
Furthermore, these expanding operations in Canada have encouraged more auto parts investment from Japan. Over the past year, eight companies have announced new auto parts plants in Canada.* Also, NAFTA content levels have been increasing as a result of continuing localization of suppliers. At the same time, imports of auto parts from Japan by non-Auto Pact companies dropped 15.4% in 1996 over the previous year, in spite of the fact that tariffs on imported auto parts were reduced to zero at the beginning of 1996 by the Government of Canada. In a nutshell, all these changes mean more investment and more jobs for Canada and Canadians.
Does this help anyone? It would seem that Canada is a NET EXPORTER of Japanese badged vehiclers, not a net importer.
That would seem to me to be significant to the endless argument that Japanese cars are sold here, but no/few American cars are sold in Japan. Maybe the Japanese customer doesn't like American cars? Or maybe they have too many, better local choices? Or maybe the typical American car is too big, and too costly for Japanese cities/towns?
Maybe....