Why Do Tamiya and Kyosho Have a Duopoly in Japan?

Why Do Tamiya and Kyosho Have a Duopoly in Japan?

From The RC Deep Dive by RC Deep Dive

May 2, 2026 · 6 min · Episode 403

About this episode

This episode explores why Tamiya and Kyosho dominate the R/C vehicle market in Japan.

In Japan you will not find any Schumacher, AE (Associated Electronics), Arrma, Losi, or Traxxas R/C cars, trucks, or buggies, but can only find Tamiya and Kyosho controlled model vehicles for sale. Why is this? We dig into the fascinating logistics, the politics and the culture of Japan and explain by no one has been able to defeat the Tamiya and Kyosho Japanese duopoly.

People in this episode

Host: RC Deep Dive

Topics covered

  • R/C cars
  • Japanese market
  • Tamiya
  • Kyosho
  • duopoly
  • logistics
  • culture

Keywords

  • Tamiya
  • Kyosho
  • R/C cars
  • Japan
  • duopoly
  • model vehicles
  • logistics
  • culture

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Tamiya, Kyosho, Schumacher, AE (Associated Electronics), Arrma, Losi, Traxxas

Places: Japan

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