Abstract
The paper reviews the interrelation between the Japanese car design and government policies /regulations in the post war period. The export oriented design promotion policy helped establish a firm career pass. Car designers could acquire low-cost car design technology through the popular car development outline, which constituted a foundation to sweep over the dynamic world car market 20 years later. Merger among domestic car makers and technical cooperation with foreign partners progressed by the free trade and investment policies. The road development policy which advanced surfacing and highway construction made innovative car body proportional changes, e.g., a low positioned wedge-shape design. R&D for ESV influenced the process of integrating the bumper and body structure. Restriction on safety became stricter year by year and increased design coordination workload. Consumers are highly concerned with the ecological features, but never underestimate the value and meaning of design.
