Exchange rate helps offset impact, but a further rise in yen could be trouble
Automakers heavily reliant on imports for the vehicles they sell in the U.S., such as like Mazda, are at particular risk. (Photo by Tomoki Mera)
SHOYA OKINAGA, YUMI OKURA and TAKAKO FUJIU
TOKYO — With U.S. tariffs on Japan-built vehicles being cut to 15%, the combined impact on the Asian country’s automakers is expected to shrink to 1.9 trillion yen ($12.9 billion), letting most of them turn a profit — though the risk of an appreciation in the yen looms large.