While the Detroit 3 might be headed into the vortex of a rust bowl one might be envious of the success of our Japanese friends on American shores. But that envy might change into sympathy if you look at what’s happening in the land of the rising sun.

Auto sales in Japan, having declined for 18 straight months. Analysts attribute the slide to an aging populace, zero population growth and a weak economy. The country’s population peaked in 2004 at 127.8 million and has declined by about 17,000 since then. Government demographers forecast that the population will decline to 95.1 million by 2050 a significant downward bump.

Behind the statistics, vast cultural changes abound. Heavy traffic and the expense of parking make commuting by car a non- starter for most Japanese city dwellers. Almost half the population lives in greater Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya, which have highly developed, affordable public train systems.

Young Japanese, with plenty of disposable income to buy video games and high priced duds, are less enthusiastic than ever about owning and driving cars. The youth in Japan don’t necessarily view cars as status symbols in the same way as their parents.

Maybe we should try a reverse strategy. Who knows, if it works downtown Tokyo could be filled with Chrysler Sebring’s and Saturn Ion’s.