Love story between Alfa Romeo and Japan

In Japan, customers who choose an Alfa Romeo present themselves as true enthusiasts of Made in Italy.

The importance of Alfa Romeo design, past and present, in the Japanese collective consciousness is also demonstrated by a curious link between Japanese manga artists and the brand’s cars, notably the Alfa Romeo SZ from the 1990s, chosen by Masamune Shirow for his famous manga Ghost in the Shell.

Similarly, there is an unbreakable connection between vintage Alfa Romeos and Japanese collectors. One only needs to think of the brand’s success at the prestigious “Kyoto Concours d’Elegance,” held in 2018 at Nijō Castle in Kyoto, dating back to the 17th century, where the “Best in Show” award was given to the 6C 2500 Super Sport Villa d’Este 1951, one of 36 models produced by Carrozzeria Touring in Milan between 1949 and 1952. That same year, the 6C 2500 Berlinetta Touring from 1939, once owned by Prince Caetani (Touring Early Italian class), and the 1900 Super Sprint Touring from 1955 (Touring Classic Italian class 1952-1961) also received awards in their respective categories. The guest of honor at the event in Japan was the 1900 C52 Coupé, known as “Flying Saucer,” preserved at the Alfa Romeo History Museum in Arese.

From Manga to the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale

In recent years, the brand has established itself in the Land of the Rising Sun as an embodiment of Italian design and sportiness, carving out a place in the hearts of a sophisticated clientele that loves Made in Italy products and is highly demanding in terms of performance and driving pleasure. Of the 500 exclusive Giulia GTA and Giulia GTAm models produced in 2021, 88 have been registered in Japan.

Noriaki Uchino is one of 33 owners of the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale. Born in 1960, he took over the family business founded in 1927, specializing in textile machinery and precision gears for prototypes of two- and four-wheel vehicles. Today, his Uchino factory in Japan supplies most domestic and foreign automakers and motorcycle manufacturers, and supports manufacturers in the most famous championships, including F1, WEC, and MotoGP.

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