Nissan's Oppama Plant Closure: A City on Edge

Nissan's historic Oppama plant, a symbol of the company's past successes, faces potential closure as part of cost-cutting measures due to declining global sales. The closure could impact 3,900 employees and Yokosuka city, illustrating Japan's shifting economic landscape and the erosion of lifetime employment norms.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Updated: 29-05-2025 03:40 IST | Created: 29-05-2025 03:40 IST
Nissan's Oppama Plant Closure: A City on Edge
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The Oppama plant, once a testament to Nissan's ambitions, symbolizes Japan's postwar economic evolution. However, the plant's potential shutdown reflects Nissan's global challenges, including declining sales and mounting debt.

New CEO Ivan Espinosa's cost-cutting plans involve closing seven factories worldwide, with Oppama among those considered. The plant's closure could disrupt 3,900 jobs and severely affect Yokosuka, where Nissan plays a pivotal economic role.

Nissan's move reveals broader trends in Japan's automaking industry, highlighting the erosion of lifetime-employment norms and increased competition from Tesla and Chinese EV makers, marking a significant shift in Japan's economic and social fabric.

(With inputs from agencies.)

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