[Dalewyn]

Pretty much this. Honda was all but begged by the Japanese government to bail Nissan out. Remember that the Japanese government had a role in taking out Renault and preventing a French takeover of Nissan, their political hand was already overstretched.

The merger/buyout collapsed because Nissan is too proud to admit that they have failed and aren't in any position to be making demands.

Also, this is a tangent but with the US Steel buyout/investment from Nippon Steel being a common subject matter these days, remember what Japan did to protect Nissan every time they bitch about the US protecting US Steel. What goes around comes around.

[teruakohatu]

> Pretty much this. Honda was all but begged by the Japanese government to bail Nissan out. Remember that the Japanese government had a role in taking out Renault and preventing a French takeover of Nissan, their political hand was already overstretched.

I know little/nothing about Japanese politics. How exactly does the Government of Japan apply pressure to a public company to merge with another failing public company?

[jesterson]

> How exactly does the Government of Japan apply pressure to a public company to merge with another failing public company?

Structure doesn't matter. Culturally government cooperates with companies through "asking" (or pressuring if you like) as opposed to western approach where companies can (and will) do as they please within law/regulatory frameworks. Opposite works as well - companies can ask government and pretty much expect result.

Most of it stems from collective culture and family values and taken as something quite important.

[jac_no_k]

I would imagine by implying that if Honda doesn't cooperate, they would face increased regulatory scrutiny. IE, Honda factories needs to have more safety inspections, vehicles fails to pass emissions tests, a finding that requires huge recalls, etc.

[namdnay]

The last time the boss of Nissan didn’t do what they wanted, they put him in prison

[WeylandYutani]

US Steel is in such a bad shape that Trump has to put a tariff to save them. At least foreign cars can still be sold in Japan.