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NHK World sent a correspondent to Pennsylvania to interview Americans who own and sell Japanese kei trucks. The report describes practical uses and growing import activity, while state rules continue to limit where some of the vehicles can be registered for road use.
NHK World, Japan’s public broadcaster, recently sent a correspondent to Pennsylvania to interview Americans about their interest in kei trucks, small Japanese work vehicles that are drawing buyers for their size and utility. The report features a local dealer and a New York advocate, showing both the market’s appeal and the state-by-state rules that can limit road registration.
The correspondent visited Lancaster Mini Truck, a Pennsylvania dealership selling cab-forward kei trucks and other Japanese vehicles. Dealer owner Jake Simpson said he bought his first mini truck five years ago and was surprised by the attention it attracted. He told NHK World that people regularly asked him about the truck and how they could get one, prompting him to turn his interest into a business.
Simpson said he now imports about 15 to 20 trucks a month. He described them as a practical purchase, citing four-wheel drive availability, fuel economy of around 40 miles per gallon and prices he said typically fall between $6,000 and $8,000. Those figures reflect the dealer’s account in the report, rather than independently verified market averages.
The report also features Joey Iorio, co-founder of Empire State Kei Advocates, who is pushing for New York to allow kei vehicles to be registered for public roads. Iorio said he has contacted state lawmakers about changing the rules. The report says an estimated 30,000 kei trucks were imported to the United States over the past five years; it attributes that estimate to the report and does not provide a detailed methodology.
Small Trucks, Big Registration Hurdles
The interviews capture a tension in the kei truck market: buyers value compact, useful vehicles, but federal import eligibility does not automatically mean a vehicle can be driven on public roads in every state. That distinction can affect whether owners can register a truck for everyday use, regardless of its age or availability for purchase.
For potential buyers, the practical features discussed by Simpson are only part of the decision. State registration rules matter, and requirements can differ across the country. The report also shows how owners are organizing around those rules, turning individual enthusiasm into advocacy for legislative changes.
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The Import Rule and State Laws
Under the federal rule described in The Drive’s account, vehicles not originally certified for the U.S. market can generally be imported once they are at least 25 years old. That federal age threshold does not settle whether a state will allow a vehicle to be registered for public-road use. Some states restrict kei cars and trucks, according to the report.
The Drive identifies New York as one state where registration is a barrier and says Texas legalized kei cars the previous year following advocacy by enthusiasts. The report presents those examples as evidence that state policies can change, but it does not provide a full list of states or detail each state’s current requirements.
“I got my first mini truck five years ago.”
— Jake Simpson, owner of Lancaster Mini Truck
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How Many States Allow Road Use?
The NHK World report and The Drive’s coverage do not establish a complete, current state-by-state picture of kei truck registration. Rules may depend on state law and the vehicle’s classification, so prospective owners should check the relevant state authority rather than assume the federal import age rule guarantees road access.
The estimated 30,000 imports over five years is reported without a methodology or breakdown. The coverage also does not independently verify the dealer’s monthly sales, stated prices or fuel-economy figure, and it does not give a specific date for the NHK World report.
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Advocates Seek New York Changes
Iorio and Empire State Kei Advocates are continuing to seek changes that would allow kei vehicles to be registered in New York, according to the report. No specific legislative vote or timetable is provided. The next clear milestone would be any introduced bill, regulatory decision or other formal action by state officials.
For buyers, the immediate next step is to verify local registration requirements before purchasing or importing a truck. The source materials do not describe a new federal rule or announce a change to the 25-year import threshold.
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Key Questions
What did NHK World report?
NHK World sent a correspondent to Pennsylvania to interview kei truck owners and a dealer, and also featured an advocate seeking changes to New York registration rules.
How many kei trucks have been imported to the United States?
The report gives an estimate of 30,000 over the past five years. It does not explain the estimate’s methodology.
Can a 25-year-old kei truck be driven on public roads in every state?
No. The federal age rule described in the coverage concerns import eligibility; state registration rules vary, and some states restrict road use.
What prices and fuel economy did the Pennsylvania dealer cite?
Jake Simpson said he sells trucks for about $6,000 to $8,000 and cited fuel economy of around 40 miles per gallon. These are claims in the report, not verified averages for all kei trucks.
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