In Pixar's Cars 2, the World Grand Prix's first race takes place in Japan.
The opening World Grand Prix event is held in Tokyo, where Lightning McQueen competes against international racers such as Francesco Bernoulli, Lewis Hamilton, and Shu Todoroki. The Japanese setting gives the film its first major racing backdrop after the story moves away from Radiator Springs.
Cars 2 combines the racing plot with an international spy story. Mater becomes involved with British agents Finn McMissile and Holley Shiftwell, while a group led by Professor Z attempts to disrupt the competition using a device that causes cars to malfunction.
The other World Grand Prix races occur in Italy and England. The Italian event is held in Porto Corsa, while the final race takes place in London. Japan is therefore the first host country, not merely a stop associated with the film's espionage scenes.