Editing Minivan (section)

=== Japan ===
{{More citations needed|section|date=February 2022}}
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| image1            = Nissan Prairie 1982 Sawston.JPG
| caption1          = 1982 [[Nissan Prairie]]
| image2            = 1998-2000 Honda Odyssey van (2011-03-10) 01.jpg
| caption2          = 2000 [[Honda Odyssey (international)|Honda Odyssey]]
| image3            = 2023 Toyota Alphard Hybrid (AH40) 1.jpg
| caption3          = 2023 [[Toyota Alphard]]
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In Japan, the classification is known as {{nihongo|"minivan"|ミニバン|Miniban|lead=yes}} and defined by its three-row seating capacity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=トヨタのミニバン |trans-title=Toyota minivans |url=https://toyota.jp/information/minivan/ |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=toyota.jp}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=【2022年】ミニバンおすすめ人気15選｜価格・スペック比較｜Motor-Fan[モーターファン] |trans-title=[2022] 15 Recommended Popular Minivans {{!}} Price / Spec Comparison |url= https://car.motor-fan.jp/article/10016929 |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=car.motor-fan.jp}}</ref>

Before the birth of minivans with modern form factors, tall wagon-type vehicles with large seating capacity in Japan were known as light vans. They commonly adopted [[Mid-engine design|mid-engine]], [[cab over]] design, and rear-wheel drive layout with one-box form factor. Examples included the [[Toyota TownAce]], [[Toyota HiAce]], [[Nissan Vanette]], [[Mitsubishi Delica]] and [[Mazda Bongo]]. These vehicles were based on commercial vehicles, which created a gap compared to sedans regarding ride quality and luxury.<ref name="DM">{{cite web |date=2014-01-31 |title=ミニバン文化の発展（1994年）|trans-title=Development of minivan culture (1994) |url= https://gazoo.com/feature/gazoo-museum/car-history/14/01/31_1/ |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=gazoo.com |language=ja}}</ref>

The [[Nissan Prairie]], released in 1982, is considered the first Japanese compact minivan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=交通タイムス社 |title=ミニバンのルーツは乗用車の派生モデル！欧州では戦前より登場 |trans-title=The roots of the minivan are derivative models of passenger cars! Appeared in Europe before the war |url=https://www.automesseweb.jp/2019/08/19/194774 |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=automesseweb.jp |date=19 August 2019 |language=ja}}</ref> Derived closely from a compact sedan, the Prairie was marketed as a "boxy sedan", configured with sliding doors, folding rear seats, and a lifting rear hatch.<ref name="DM" /> The [[Mitsubishi Chariot]] adopted nearly the same form factor, instead using wagon-style front-hinged doors.

In 1990, Toyota introduced the [[Toyota Estima]] in Japan, which carried over the mid-engine configuration of the TownAce.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-10 |title=日本ミニバン界の始祖 初代エスティマが起こした革命 |trans-title=The revolution caused by the first Estima, the founder of the Japanese minivan world |url=https://bestcarweb.jp/feature/245401 |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=自動車情報誌「ベストカー」|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Schefler |first1=Jim |date=September 1983 |title=Toyota's mini-van |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=NbgDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA123 |magazine=Popular Science |volume=223 |issue=3 |page=123 |access-date=23 October 2018}}</ref> Along with its highly rounded exterior, the Estima was distinguished by its nearly panoramic window glass.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-21 |title=【エスティマ、オデッセイ…他】時代を変えた個性派「名」ミニバン6選 |trans-title=[Estima, Odyssey ... etc.] 6 unique minivans that changed the times |url=https://bestcarweb.jp/news/entame/136160 |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=自動車情報誌「ベストカー」 |language=ja}}</ref>  The Estima was redesigned in 2000, adopting a front-wheel drive layout and offered with a [[Hybrid electric vehicle|hybrid]] powertrain since 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |last=交通タイムス社 |date=2020-05-09 |title=数多くのモデルが誕生！ トヨタ・グランエースへ続くトヨタが生み出したミニバンの歴史を辿る |trans-title=Many models are born! Tracing the history of Toyota-created minivans following the Toyota Granace |url= https://www.webcartop.jp/2020/05/524654/ |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=webcartop.jp |language=ja}}</ref>  In 2002, Toyota introduced the [[Toyota Alphard]] which was developed as a luxury-oriented model.
In 2020, Lexus introduced their first [[luxury car|luxury]] minivan, the [[Lexus LM]], produced with varying degrees of relation with the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire. The LM designation stands for "Luxury Mover".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lexus LM luxury MPV fully revealed ahead of UK launch |url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/lexus-lm-luxury-mpv-fully-revealed-ahead-uk-launch |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=Autocar |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sarne |first=V. Vernon B. |title=The Lexus Luxury Mover makes a lot of motoring sense |url=https://visor.ph/cars/the-lexus-luxury-mover-makes-a-lot-of-motoring-sense/ |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=visor.ph |language=en}}</ref>

Nissan introduced the [[Nissan Serena]] in 1991 and the [[Nissan Elgrand]] in 1997.

In 1995, Honda entered the minivan segment by introducing the [[Honda Odyssey]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=ホンダ「オデッセイ」が27年の歴史に幕！「ミニバン」ブームの火付け役が残した功績とは |url=https://kuruma-news.jp/post/451096 |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=くるまのニュース |date=4 December 2021 |language=ja}}</ref>  The Odyssey was designed with front-hinged doors and as derived from the Honda Accord. It came with advantages such as sedan-like driving dynamics and a lower floor to allow for easy access.<ref name="DM" /> In a design feature that would become widely adopted by other manufacturers, the Odyssey introduced a rear seat that folded flat into the floor (replacing a removable rear seat). The Odyssey evolved into a low-roof, estate-like minivan until 2013, when it adopted a high-roof body with rear sliding doors.<ref>{{cite web |title=消えちゃいけないオデッセイが５代目にして消滅！ ミニバン市場をけん引した偉大なる１台の歴史とは {{!}} goo - 自動車 |trans-title=The Odyssey that cannot disappear for the 5th generation! What is the history of one great car that drove the minivan market? |url= https://autos.goo.ne.jp/news/webcartop-826170/ |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=goo自動車&バイク |language=ja}}</ref>  Honda also produced the [[Honda Stepwgn]] mid-size MPV since 1996, which is designed with a higher cabin and narrow width, and the [[Honda Stream]] since 2000 to slot below the Odyssey.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ミニバンとは？ 他にはないミニバンの良さや最新人気車種をご紹介！（WEB CARTOP） |url= https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/8852491d96bc326df2c42b1d9c6d1e6bbe394c0c |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=Yahoo!ニュース |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2018-12-06 |title=第38回：ミニバン文化の発展 広さと走りの両立に挑んだ25年 |trans-title=Development of minivan culture 25 years of striving to achieve both wideness and driving |url= https://www.webcg.net/articles/-/39948 |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=webcg.net |language=ja}}</ref>

In 2020, minivans made up 20.8% of total automobile sales in Japan, behind SUVs and compact hatchbacks, making it one of the largest minivan markets in the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=SUVのシェアがミニバン超えの3割に！ 勢力図が大変化した新車市場の今とは!?{{!}}コラム【MOTA】 |trans-title=The share of SUVs exceeds 30% of minivans! What is the current state of the new car market, where the power map has changed dramatically? |url= https://autoc-one.jp/honda/vezel/special-5010288/ |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=autoc-one.jp MOTA（旧オートックワン） |language=ja}}</ref>