So what determines a JDM car? Right hand drive or simply built and manufactured in japan?

I got a 2000 acura integra, it's left hand drive but the frist letter of the vin is J (Japan). would it be considered a JDM or not?So what determines a JDM car? Right hand drive or simply built and manufactured in japan?
JDM - Japanese Domestic Market



A JDM car doesn't necessarily need to be built in Japan, but it does have to conform to the local design regulations.



A JDM Hyundai Getz for instance although being Right Hand Drive for Great Britain, Australia and Japan - will have side impact intrusion bars for Australia but not GB or Japan, the JDM version will have a different gearbox and final drive (because of lower freeway speeds) and the JDM version will have more stringent pollution controls.



The term JDM doesn't only apply to cars, you also find JDM Mobile Phones, Televisions, Digital Radio - all of which have unique standards for Japan.



Your Acura Integra is obviously an export car and not for the Japanese Domestic Market, as it's Left Hand Drive (and therefore would be barred on Japanese roads) and it's an Acura which has never been sold as a brand in Japan.

I would also suspect that being built for the US it has bigger airbags (if fitted) and bigger bumper bars to meet US design regulations.So what determines a JDM car? Right hand drive or simply built and manufactured in japan?
Unfortunately, even though it's stated as JDM, it's NOT made in Japan. If it's an actual JDM, the vehicle would be left untouched RHD, and will carries the original name of Honda instead of re-badged Acura.

Malaysia has one of the most JDM models (which about 50% are re-assembled in Thailand). It still carries the actual Japanese brand names (We never have non-JDM names here) and the models before the 90s are fully imported CBUs from Japan. One example? RHD Daihatsu Charade Aura CX (I'm owning one currently), where the Chassis No. starts with "J...", all instructions still retains Japanese with English Translations and standard, no added accessories...So what determines a JDM car? Right hand drive or simply built and manufactured in japan?
No because it's built in America. Japan DOMESTIC motor meaning it's built in Japan. Hence the word Japan and domestic. People go for JDM LOOKS here in US.
The car is never sold in Japan, so it's not JDM. Japan do not have Acuras.