This killed off a lot of the potential export opportunities, leaving a few big names that could weather the storm and export nations would justify paying more for - basically those that were at the limit of the "gentleman's agreement", and which offered competent chassis' and decent interiors and options (by Japanese standards, that is - they were still derided as being plasticky compared to the competition at the time). Held around 130 Yen/USD for the rest of the 80's. This wasn't just a result of the cars - there were a host of other factors and failed attempts to stop the increase, but the bottom line was that the Yen went from: Unfortunately this also meant that as the Japanese started embracing the export opportunities and turning every RWD platform they could find into a turbo-charged beast, the economy was strengthening, and the Yen was appreciating. That bought a lot of car for each US dollar, and meant high performing, small Japanese cars could find an export home easily. in early 1985, the US dollar bought 260 Japanese Yen. Lastly - and most importantly - the Japanese currency was worth nothing. These export markets craved power - and the Japanese could deliver it in spades (for the time period and price point) The rise of Japanese manufacturers on a global level as being genuinely competitive, and their shirking of their reputation as being "cheap econoboxes" saw massive increases in exports of Japanese cars The 80's saw the development of turbocharging at an alarming rate - and it was perfect for the still-developing displacement-limited Japanese manufacturers, and market. Their laws therefore naturally favour smaller displacement, for better economy. Japan is an island, with extremely limited natural resources.
I think it's possible if the circumstances are right - but the circumstances that brought us the 80's/90's Japanese sports car craze was fairly unique.
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