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How do I know if my Lexus is made in Japan?

If you own a Lexus IS, you may be wondering whether your vehicle was manufactured in Japan. Knowing the origin of your Lexus IS can be important for understanding its features, quality, and potential resale value. Here's how you can determine if your Lexus IS was made in Japan.


Check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)


The easiest way to determine the origin of your Lexus IS is to look at the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN is a unique 17-character code that provides detailed information about your vehicle, including where it was manufactured.



  • Locate the VIN, which is typically found on the driver's side dashboard, the driver's side door jamb, or the engine block.

  • The 11th character of the VIN indicates the manufacturing location. For Lexus vehicles made in Japan, the 11th character will be a "J".

  • If the 11th character is a "J", your Lexus IS was manufactured in Japan.


By checking the VIN, you can quickly and accurately determine the origin of your Lexus IS.


Examine the Manufacturer's Label


Another way to identify the origin of your Lexus IS is to look at the manufacturer's label, which is typically located on the driver's side door jamb. This label will provide information about the vehicle, including the country of manufacture.



  • Locate the manufacturer's label on your Lexus IS.

  • Look for the "Country of Origin" or "Manufactured In" field, which should indicate that the vehicle was made in Japan.


If the manufacturer's label states that your Lexus IS was made in Japan, then you can be confident that your vehicle was produced in the country.


Consider the Lexus IS Model Year


The Lexus IS has been in production since 1998, and the manufacturing location has varied over the years. In general, earlier Lexus IS models were more likely to be produced in Japan, while more recent models may have been manufactured in other countries, such as the United States.



  • Older Lexus IS models, such as those from the 1990s and early 2000s, were predominantly made in Japan.

  • Newer Lexus IS models, particularly those produced in the last decade, may have been manufactured in other locations, such as the United States.


By considering the model year of your Lexus IS, you can get a general idea of where it was likely produced.


In summary, the best way to determine if your Lexus IS was made in Japan is to check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and the manufacturer's label. These sources of information will provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date details about the origin of your vehicle.

Which Lexus models are made in USA?


Where are the Lexus Manufacturing Plants?

Lexus PlantsLexus Models
Georgetown (Kentucky, USA)ES
Cambridge Ont (Ontario, Canada)RX, RX Hybrid
Motomachi (Aichi, Japan)GS, GS Hybrid, GS F
Tahara (Aichi, Japan)LS, LS Hybrid, IS, GX, LX, RC, RC F



How do I know if my Lexus is made in Japan or Canada?


In the case of a Lexus, the first digit indicates the country in which the vehicle was manufactured. If your Lexus has the numbers 2 or 5, it was assembled in North America—either Canada or the United States. Japan is indicated by the letter J.



How do I know if my car is Japan built?


Vehicles with VINs that start with "J" were produced in Japan.



How do I tell where my Lexus was built?


The first character of a VIN is the country code indicating where the car was assembled. Inside the driver's door frame is a VIN label that spells out the car's manufacturing location. A new vehicle's window sticker shows the source of its parts and the final assembly point.



How do I tell if my Lexus was made in Japan?


In the case of a Lexus, the first digit indicates the country in which the vehicle was manufactured. If your Lexus has the numbers 2 or 5, it was assembled in North America—either Canada or the United States. Japan is indicated by the letter J.



Which Lexus models are built in Japan?


Toyota Tahara Plant – Tahara, Japan — assembles the Lexus LS, IS, GX, LX, and RC. Toyota Yoshiwara Plant – Toyota, Aichi, Japan — assembles the Lexus LX. Toyota Miyata Plant – Miyawaka, Fukuoka, Japan — assembles the Lexus IS and ES.



How do I know if my car was made in Japan or the USA?


Origin If a VIN begins with a 1, 4 or 5, that means it's a vehicle assembled in the U.S. Many other countries have their own unique identifier. A 2, for example, means the vehicle was made in Canada; a J stands for Japan.



Where is my Lexus made?


Lexus vehicles are produced primarily in Japan at manufacturing plants in the Chūbu and Kyūshū regions. The Lexus RX 330 was the first Lexus built outside of Japan in 2003, in Ontario, Canada. Find out where Lexus models sold around the world are made: Kitakyushu, Japan — CT, HS, and RX.



What Lexus is built in the USA?


Where are the Lexus Manufacturing Plants?

Lexus PlantsLexus Models
Georgetown (Kentucky, USA)ES
Cambridge Ont (Ontario, Canada)RX, RX Hybrid
Motomachi (Aichi, Japan)GS, GS Hybrid, GS F
Tahara (Aichi, Japan)LS, LS Hybrid, IS, GX, LX, RC, RC F



How do you tell what country your car was made in?


Using NHTSA's VIN Decoder to Identify a Vehicle's Plant of Manufacture. Among the information NHTSA's VIN decoder provides is information about the vehicle's plant of manufacture. After searching a VIN, you'll see the build plant and country for the vehicle in question.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.