Production to Shift to Southwestern Japan by March 2028

Tokyo, Japan – Japanese automaker Nissan has announced it will shut down its flagship Oppama plant in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, by the end of the 2027 fiscal year, as part of a broader cost-cutting and restructuring strategy.

Vehicle production at the historic factory will officially end in March 2028, with operations being transferred to another facility in southwestern Japan, the company confirmed.

The closure marks a significant move for Nissan, as the Oppama plant has long been considered a symbol of the company’s manufacturing legacy.

“This decision was extremely difficult,” said Ivan Espinosa, Nissan’s newly appointed Chief Executive, who took over the role in April. “The Oppama plant is an icon for Nissan, but we must take bold steps to remain competitive in today’s global market.”

Nissan said the move is aimed at optimizing its domestic production network and improving operational efficiency amid shifting global demand and rising production costs.

The company plans to reassign many of the affected workers to other plants or roles within the company, and discussions with labor unions are ongoing.

The Oppama facility began operations in 1961 and has produced millions of vehicles, including some of Nissan’s most popular models.