Japanese model kit manufacturers – Tamiya, Fujimi, Aoshima, Rosso and Hasegawa, among them – also stepped up their presence in the U.S. market during the 1980s and 1990s.

Lesser known kit manufacturers, at least in the United States, were Doyusha, Yamada, Nichimo, Otaki, Marui and Arii. Japanese kits are generally known for being ultra detailed and of very high quality.

Most of the subjects of these companies are Japanese cars, both classic and current (and, of course, ships, planes and military vehicles).

For example, Hasegawa and Aoshima make detailed models of the first-generation Toyota Celica, which has become somewhat of a classic.

Nevertheless, Hasegawa also produced 1/25 scale models of 1965-66 American cars, including the 1965 Chevrolet Impala, and 1966 Buick Wildcat, Cadillac Coupe DeVille, and Thunderbird Landau.

These were actually Johan and AMT kits that were simplified and modified for the Japanese market.