What are the general public's views on heavily modified cars in Japan?

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Bro, you hit the nail on the head. This issue is actually quite interesting and far more complex than one might think. In Japan, the views of ordinary citizens towards highly modified cars can be described as a very contradictory and polarized feeling, absolutely impossible to summarize with a simple "like" or "dislike."

In short, it can be boiled down to: Admiration for the craftsmanship, tolerance for their existence, but strong aversion to the nuisance they cause.

Let me break it down for you clearly below.

First, It Depends on What Kind of Modified Car

In the eyes of ordinary Japanese people, modified cars are also ranked hierarchically. Their attitude depends entirely on what kind of car you drive and where you drive it.

1. “Wow, awesome!” – Art-grade Modified Cars (Show Car)

Characteristics: These cars are usually found at exhibitions (like the famous Tokyo Auto Salon TAS) or parking lots at car meet-ups. Their modifications are extremely refined and detailed. Whether it's the aerodynamic body kits, the beautiful wheels, or the engine bay revealed under the hood—tidy as a work of art—they exude "craftsmanship."
Public Perception: For these cars, the vast majority of ordinary people feel admiration and astonishment. They’d think “すごい!" (Amazing!), viewing this as a fusion of technology and art. They might not necessarily want to own one themselves but see it as a sophisticated hobby, like collecting expensive watches or cameras. Since these cars don't cause trouble and just display beauty quietly, they are highly respected.

2. “Oh, an enthusiast!” – Tasteful Daily-Driven Modified Cars (Street Use)

Characteristics: These are the most common "lightly modified" or "tastefully modified" cars on the road. Examples include fitting nicer wheels, a slight lowering of the suspension, installing an exhaust with a modest sound (compliant with regulations), or adding subtle body accents. The owners are usually genuine car fans who cherish their vehicles and drive relatively courteously.
Public Perception: Most people adopt an indifferent or tolerant stance towards this category. They can tell the owner loves their car. As long as you don’t speed excessively or "rev your engine loudly downtown" ("炸街"), they consider it a harmless personal hobby. Some younger people might even find it cool.

3. “Ugh... so noisy/scary!” – Nuisance-Causing Bosozoku/Racers (Bosozoku/Hashiriya)

Characteristics: These are the culprits that give modified cars a bad name.
- Bosozoku Style: Extremely exaggerated tailfins, vertical "rocket" exhaust pipes, garish paint jobs. They enjoy "cruising" in groups late at night, deliberately generating huge amounts of noise.
- Racers/Drift Enthusiasts (Hashiriya/Drifters): Engaging in dangerous racing or drifting late at night on expressways or mountain passes (like the "Touge" from Initial D). The roar of engines and screeching of tires carry far.
Public Perception: For these kinds of modifications, ordinary citizens feel intense disgust and aversion. In their eyes, these people are not "enthusiasts" but "delinquents" or "social nuisances" (迷惑行为). They equate this directly with "excessive noise," "dangerous driving," and "anti-social behavior." Japanese society places a huge emphasis on "not causing trouble for others" (人に迷惑をかけない / do not cause trouble to others). This behavior is the ultimate contravention of that principle, causing widespread condemnation and calls to the police.

Secondly, Japan’s Social and Legal Environment is Decisive

Incredibly Strict Vehicle Inspection (Shaken) System
- Japan's mandatory vehicle inspection (Shaken) is notoriously strict. Any modifications affecting safety—like excessively lowered suspension, wheels extending beyond fenders, excessively loud exhausts, or non-compliant lighting—will absolutely fail the inspection.
- This means many outlandishly modified cars seen at shows are actually "show cars" that cannot be legally driven on public roads. To make a modified car legal for the road, the owner often has to revert it to near-original condition before the inspection, a major hassle. This fundamentally limits the number of "monstrous" modifications on the streets.
The "Do Not Cause Trouble to Others" National Ethos
- This is a core, unwritten rule governing Japanese society. Your hobby can be anything, as long as it doesn’t negatively impact others.
- A modified car owner whose car looks amazing parked, or runs fast on a racetrack, but is quiet in residential areas, is a respected enthusiast.
- Conversely, if their car roars down the street at midnight, they become universally despised "trash." The evaluation criterion isn't how the car is modified, but how the owner behaves.

In Summary

So, an ordinary Japanese citizen's view of modified cars is roughly this:

Seeing a heavily modified GT-R on TV or at a car show, they think: "Wow, so cool! Japan’s auto industry and tuning tech are amazing!"

Seeing a tastefully lowered Toyota 86 with nice wheels on the road, they might think: "This owner has good taste. Young people sure know how to have fun."

When woken at midnight by exhaust noise outside their window, they frown and mutter:* "Those idiots again!"* and then pick up the phone to call the police without hesitation.

In essence, the Japanese respect car modification as a "culture" and a display of "technical skill," but despise and oppose any behavior that turns this culture into a "social nuisance." They draw this distinction very clearly.