Honda’s Largest Layoff in China, First in 25 Years, Marks Full ‘De-Chinification’ of Japanese Autos

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This round of layoffs is the first significant reduction in staff by Honda Automobile since its joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Company in 1998. GAC Honda, a mainstream joint venture automotive brand in China, has launched several popular models such as the Honda Accord and Honda Fit, achieving sales of over ten million units thanks to these models. The concept of 'lifetime employment' is a norm in Japan, where employers typically avoid layoffs even in difficult times, following a long-established tradition in Japanese enterprises. Therefore, Honda's decision to significantly cut its workforce, breaking this convention, has raised questions.