Sales of imported vehicles, including those produced by Japanese manufacturers, fell 3.1 percent in November from a year earlier to 22,045 units, an industry body said Tuesday.
Sales of foreign-brand cars fell 1.9 percent to 20,430 units, while those of Japanese brands dropped 16.3 percent to 1,615 units, the Japan Automobile Importers Association said.
The November figures brought cumulative sales of imported vehicles, including Japanese-made ones, in the year so far to 240,421 units, down 2.2 percent from a year earlier.
Volkswagen became the top-selling brand in November for the second straight month, with a 21.13 percent market share. It sold 4,658 units, down 11.7 percent from a year earlier.
BMW rose from third to second with an 18 percent share. It sold 3,968 units, up 20.6 percent.