JAPAN

Auto Sales Rise in ‘95: The Japan Automobile Dealers Assn. reported that domestic vehicle sales rose 4.8% to 5.15 million last year. Analysts said a slow economic recovery and the growing popularity of recreational vehicles, including minivans and station wagons, would give the industry a boost this year. “We estimate Japan’s domestic vehicle demand at 5.463 million in 1996,” said Noriyuki Matsushima, a senior analyst at Nikko Research Center. Nobuaki Yanachi, a senior analyst at Kankaku Research Institute, said domestic sales could rise 4% this year. He and Matsushima said Honda Motor Co. could be the main beneficiary. Analysts said imported cars will probably continue to enjoy good sales but that the yen-dollar exchange rate would be a crucial factor. Sales of imported vehicles in 1995 surged 28.8% to a record 388,162 and the third straight gain.