Editing Compact car (section)

== Japan ==
{{refimprove section |date= January 2019}}
{{multiple image
| align     = right
| direction = vertical
| image1    = 2018 Toyota Corolla (MZEA12R) Ascent Sport hatchback (2018-11-02) 01.jpg
| caption1  = 1966–present [[Toyota Corolla]]
| image2    = 2019 Mazda3 SE-L 2.0 Front.jpg
| caption2  = 2003–present [[Mazda3]]
}}

=== Definition ===
In Japan, vehicles that are larger than [[kei car]]s, but with dimensions smaller than {{convert|4700|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|1700|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} wide, {{convert|2000|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} high and with engines at or under {{convert|2000|cc|abbr=on}} are classified as "small size" cars.

Small-size cars are identified by a license plate number beginning with "5". In the past, the small size category has received tax benefits stipulated by the [[Vehicle size class#Japan|Japanese government regulations]], such as those in the [[:ja:道路運送車両法|1951 Road Vehicle Act]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://law.e-gov.go.jp/htmldata/S26/S26HO185.html |title=Road Vehicle Act of 1951 |language=ja |website=law.e-gov.go.jp |access-date=7 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110904053631/http://law.e-gov.go.jp/htmldata/S26/S26HO185.html |archive-date=4 September 2011}}</ref> 

=== 1950s and 1960s ===
In 1955, the Japanese [[Ministry of International Trade and Industry]] set forth a goal to all Japanese makers at that time to create what was called a "national car". The concept stipulated that the vehicle be able to maintain a maximum speed over 100&nbsp;km/h (62&nbsp;mph), weigh below 400&nbsp;kg (882&nbsp;lbs), fuel consumption at {{convert|30|km/L|abbr=on}} or more, at an average speed of 60&nbsp;km/h (37&nbsp;mph) on a level road, and not require maintenance or significant service for at least {{convert|100,000|km|mi|abbr=on}}. This established a "compact car" target that was larger than what has become known as the "light car" or the [[kei car]]. 

One of the first compact cars that met those requirements was the [[Toyota Publica]] with an air-cooled two-cylinder opposed engine, the [[Nissan Bluebird#110 series|Datsun 110 series]], and the [[Mitsubishi 500]]. The Publica and the Mitsubishi 500 were essentially "kei cars" with engines larger than regulations permitted at the time, while the Datsun was an all-new vehicle. These vehicles were followed by the [[Hino Contessa]] in 1961, the [[Isuzu Bellett]], [[Daihatsu Compagno]] and [[Mazda Familia]] in 1963, the [[Mitsubishi Colt]] in 1965, and the [[Nissan Sunny]], [[Subaru 1000]], and [[Toyota Corolla]] in 1966. Honda introduced its first four-door sedan in 1969, called the [[Honda 1300]]. In North America, these cars were classified as [[subcompact car]]s.

=== 1970s to present ===
By 1970, Nissan released its first front-wheel-drive car which was originally developed by [[Prince Motor Company]] which had merged with Nissan in 1966. This was introduced in 1970 as the [[Nissan Cherry]]. In 1972, the [[Honda Civic (first generation)|Honda Civic]] appeared with the [[CVCC]] engine that was able to meet California emission standards without the use of a [[catalytic converter]].