There are only like 120 million people in Japan. 1/3 the size of the US, 1/3 the sales, but it seems pretty consistent. As for the steep drop off in sales, maybe there just isn't that much demand for sports cars? I'd need to see what other sports cars sell like over the years.

Most of what I saw in Japan were work vans, trucks, taxis, and sedans. Very few "fun" cars, S2000 or otherwise.

 

It's not just Japan. It's simply what you see in any "city" around the world. 90% of the vehicles I see in Nyc and Chi (or any major city around the globe) are the exact same as you've described you see in "Japan" - work vans/trucks, taxis and sedans. US Suburbs (especially upper-middle-class, like the majority of SoCal) will have plenty of "fun cars" to be seen. Also, I think that's why most of the well-known Jdm tuner brand offices and shops are almost always in the "country," a smaller town or off-the-beaten path away Tokyo/Osaka/Yokohama/etc.

My point is...it's not what/which country (Japan or the US) that determines where you see the most "fun cars" or sporty or fixed up cars (doing so would be way too vague and generalizing) ...but, more of a suburb vs city thing. I see the same in the UK, other EU cities, etc...the outskirt towns and suburbs always have way more "gear/car heads" vs the inner city. But yeah, a lot of this is due to people in the suburbs/towns usually having much more extra money/time to spend, from the lower cost of living and a slower/simpler paced lifestyle... as compared to living in a city with much higher rents, cost of living, tight finances, efficient mass transpo (so no need for a car really), busier lifestyle and much more things/options to do in your free time.

 

by NYC you mean Manhattan right

 

Yes, I guess so...or any other city's main center. But, I still see plenty of work trucks/vans, sedans, taxis in Queens, Bk and Bx as well..compared to a sprawled city like LA or the burbs. I don't even remember when was the last time I saw a taxi around here.