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Analysis Report: Brake (Japanese Market)
AEBS / Compliance with enhanced regulations such as preventing pedal misapplication
2026/06/22
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List of brake suppliers
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I. Introduction
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II. Major brake component suppliers, their OEM customers, and installation status in Japanese production models
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Ⅱ-(1) Disc brake parts
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Ⅱ-(2) Drum brake parts
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Ⅱ-(3) Drum brake parts for commercial vehicles
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III. Recent trends in brake technology
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Ⅲ-(1)Parking brake
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Ⅲ-(2)EPB-related recalls
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Ⅲ-(3)ADAS Advanced Driver Assistance System
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Ⅲ-(4)Legal and Regulatory Trends
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IV. Overview of major brake component suppliers and their products
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Ⅳ-(1) Supplier transitions
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Ⅳ-(2) List of suppliers and their products (Global product list)
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Ⅳ-(3) Supplier Overview
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V. Sales comparison of major brake component suppliers
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VI. Overview of global facilities of brake suppliers
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Ⅵ-(1) List of Global Facilities
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Ⅵ-(2) Ownership/Investment Structure
List of brake suppliers
Foundation brakes, friction materials
Brake discs, brake drums (Casting products)
I. Introduction
Brakes are a system that is linked to one of the basic functions of vehicles, which is that of "stopping". The characteristics of the system are such that it is considered a critical safety part, requiring the control of production and quality assurance. This report does not especially address in detail brake control systems such as ABS and ESC, or accessories and auxiliary brakes such as brake boosters and brake pedals. The focus of this report is on the foundation brake parts, specifically the three brake mechanism parts of disc brakes and the three brake mechanism parts of drum brakes, as well as provide an analysis of the Japanese market situation based on a business overview of the major suppliers and installation information. In recent years, electric parking brakes (EPB) have rapidly spread to rear brakes, and the market share has changed significantly, so parking brakes have been added to this report. As for commercial vehicles, the discussion is limited to an explanation of the types of drum brakes and the vehicle models to which they are applied.
In general, the braking force ratio in four-wheeled vehicles is distributed at a 7:3 ratio, 7 at the front and 3 at the rear. Since most vehicles have a front-wheel-drive (FWD) layout, disc brakes are adopted for nearly 100% of all FWD vehicles. In addition, disc type brakes are adopted for the rear wheels on C-Segment and above vehicles and for compact passenger cars with engine displacements over 1.5L, which together account for more than half the market. However, drum type brakes are adopted for almost half of all vehicles in the market: mainly mini-vehicles, compact low-cost cars in the B-segment and below, and commercial vehicles due to cost-related factors.
Looking at the trends for each Japanese OEM, Subaru and Mazda, which do not currently produce commercial vehicles, have the most models equipped with disc brakes. All Mazda models, with the exception of the Mazda 2, are equipped with four-wheel disc brakes.
On the other hand, Daihatsu and Suzuki, whose main production models are mini-vehicles and small cars in the B segment and below, have many models with drum brakes.
In between are Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and Mitsubishi. Many of Mitsubishi's mini-cars and small commercial vehicles for the Japanese domestic market are equipped with drum brakes. For Toyota, Nissan, and Honda, many models are equipped with all-wheel disc brakes, but many models with drum brakes can also be seen since the companies also produce several B-segment vehicles and commercial vehicles.
In total, the proportion of brake products produced for the Japanese market is approximately 3/4 disc type and approximately 1/4 drum type. It is estimated that the proportion of disc brakes will continue to increase in the future. Although drum brakes have a long history, in recent years new products integrating electric parking brakes (EPB) with drum brakes have been put into practical application. In particular, because the use of drum brakes is increasing in mini-cars (as defined in Japanese motor vehicle regulations), the adoption rate of drum brakes in this segment is expected to remain steady. In Europe, AUMOVIO's future EV concept proposes the use of drum brakes for the rear. The reasons are that it produces no drag and it is easy to contain dust, but it remains to be seen whether it will be adopted.
This report provides an analysis of the Japanese market, but since the major suppliers are working to strengthen their overseas manufacturing footprint due to globalization, this analysis will also reference the subject from a global perspective as appropriate. Looking at the recent overall trend of Japanese foundation brake suppliers, with the exception of a few suppliers, the trend of restructuring through business integration and downsizing has become more prominent than the development of new products and expansion of production countries. Asama Giken Co., Ltd., a Honda affiliate, has already become an affiliate of Sumitomo Corporation. On the other hand, Nisshin Kogyo Co., Ltd. was integrated into Hitachi Astemo, Ltd. (a Hitachi, Ltd. subsidiary) in January 2021, which changed its name to Astemo, Ltd. in April 2025 and will become a consolidated subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. by the fiscal year ending March 2027, thus expanding its brake business and returning to its original position.
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