VOA标准英语 Japanese Car Sales Slump

（单词翻译）

In spite of some signs the recession in Japan could be easing, the important export market is down nearly 46 percent, compared to a year ago. At the center of the downturn, are Japan's car manufacturers - heavily dependent on foreign markets. It is not only a lack of demand from abroad that has hurt these companies, but growing disinterest in car ownership at home, too.
　
A visitor inspects Toyota's compact car " IQ" at Toyota Motor Corp.'s showroom in Tokyo, Friday, 6 Feb. 2009

The Japan Automotive Manufacturers Association forecasts that, for the first time in almost three decades, less than five million automobiles¹ will be sold domestically, this year.

This is not only because of the recession, but a change in the way Japanese consumers regard owning a vehicle.

A generation ago, car ownership in Japan was seen as a sign of wealth and affluence³.

But Martin Schultz, senior economist⁴ at the Fujitzu Research Institute in Tokyo, says that mindset is a thing of the past.

"For younger people in Japan, the car is simply not a status symbol anymore. It is a tool," Schultz said. "Japan has wonderful infrastructure⁵ beyond roads. For younger people, having a car is basically a costly⁶ and cumbersome⁷ affair."

New mindset

Surging gas prices and parking lot fees that put drivers back hundreds of dollars a month are just some of the reasons why young Japanese would rather spend their money elsewhere.

Japanese automakers have seen this trend coming for a while. And, in part, that is why they focus so much attention on foreign markets.

But, as Schultz points out, dried up demand from overseas during the global downturn, has created a perfect storm.

If there is one positive outcome from this lull⁸ in sales, it is that Japanese automakers have emerged at the forefront of new environmental technologies.

"They tried to improve the image of the automobile² to a younger generation as well," Schultz explained. "This is why Toyota is rather early in their hybrid⁹ car strategy and their eco-car strategy, Honda as well. So they are quite ahead of many of their competitors internationally, but its not enough however."

To offset¹⁰ the slump¹¹ in sales, manufacturers have laid off hundreds of thousands of short-term contract workers. There is concern here that, if the production does not pick back up soon, companies may have to resort to letting go of full-time¹² salaried employees.