Why did 1980s/90s cars have indicators in the bumpers instead of the headlight?

[MrZ]

Here's a typical 80s/90s Jap car with the indicators in the bumper:



(still taken from "Fast Foward")

Can someone explain to me the idea of putting the indicator down there? It seems like it would be an added expense, having to have extra wiring down on the bumper, when the indicator could obviously have been placed in the typical spot on the corner of the headlight. This would not only save money, but look better too. And yes, I realise the irony of asking this question due to the fact that I have a Mustang, which has the indicator in that very spot on the bumper. But it's very uncommon on mainstream (non sports) cars these days, whereas back in the day every other car seemed to have it in that spot.



(Honda Legend, 1991, somewhere in Melb)