GM stamped the BODY of the car with the VIN, not the frame (subframe car).. What do you think GM would think of transferring one of their VIN plates to a japanese made body??
Noted that it's can be a small 'jump' from replacing all the metal attached to the original firewall (which would be a *repair*) to replacing an entire body, but replacing an entire body (NOT a GM body) sends the argument over the cliff IMO...
In MOST states, if you have a body damaged to the extent that it's *totaled* (normally due to collision, but what's the difference whether rusted or crunched?).. the states require that the VIN plate be removed, and once the car is repaired to their satisfaction, a 'state issued' VIN plate is provided by the state. This is a requirement on state licensed businesses... insurance companies, collision shops, etc), although obviously if you owned the 'damaged' car and buy a replacement body... then you could pretty easily circumvent the law... but Regardless, IMO.. it's an attempt to defraud given that one does have the replacement VIN option...