Japanese domestic market

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Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) is a term for Japan's economic market for Japanese-brand goods, such as automobiles and parts. The term's most common application is to Japanese-brand automobiles built specifically for the Japanese market, i.e., designed and constructed to conform to Japanese vehicle and equipment regulations and to suit Japanese market preferences. JDM vehicles migrate to other markets through ordinary commerce and the grey market.

JDM vehicles often differ in features and equipment from vehicles sold elsewhere. For example, Honda has produced many different versions of the B18C, B16A and K20A engines for various markets worldwide. Generally, engines intended for use outside Japan have been detuned because Japanese Gasoline (Petrol) is of a higher octane rating than is generally available in other markets.^{[citation needed]}

There are safety hazards associated with using JDM headlamps in countries where traffic flows along the right side of the road, because JDM headlamps, engineered for use on the left side of the road, fail to light the right-side driver's way safely ahead while blinding oncoming motorists^[1]. Nevertheless, primarily due to marketing efforts, JDM headlamps are quite popular.

In automotive culture, JDM refers to a style of modifying automobiles, mainly cars of Japanese origin.^{[citation needed]} The function of components is often preferred^[who?] over cosmetic appeal.^{[citation needed]} "True" Japanese Domestic Market components are also preferred^[who?] over Japanese aftermarket parts.^{[citation needed]} An example of one such market is the import of used Japanese engines to North America to be put into Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Mazda, Subaru and Mitsubishi sports and street cars for higher performance outputs.^{[citation needed]}