Japan’s largest motor show will open in Tokyo on Oct. 26 for the first time in four years with a new name and an expanded range of mobility-focused exhibitions, in addition to automobiles.

To reflect its expansion, the former “Tokyo Motor Show” has been renamed “The Japan Mobility Show.”

A day before the opening, the event welcomed the media at Tokyo Big Sight in the waterfront district of Ariake on Oct. 25.

CAR COMPANIES EXPAND OFFERINGS

Major Japanese automakers showcased their latest technologies, including electric vehicles and concepts for flying cars.

Honda Motor Co. showcased UNI-ONE, a wheelchair-like mobility aid that users steer by simply shifting their body weight. Unlike traditional electric wheelchairs, it doesn’t require hand operation.

UNI-ONE uses technology originally developed for Honda’s bipedal robot ASIMO.

Subaru Corp., which has exceptional engine and four-wheel drive technology, showed off the world’s first Air Mobility Concept, a sort of hover craft. The concept car is 6 meters long and 4.5 meters wide. The company said it was designed specifically for this Mobility Show.

Subaru’s predecessor was Nakajima Aircraft Co., which developed engines and aircraft before being disbanded after World War II. Subaru is still involved in aerospace projects, including helicopters for the Ground Self-Defense Force.

Subaru also showed off an EV concept model designed to be a sports car of the near future, and displayed the company’s flagship vehicles at its booth as well.

Lexus, the luxury brand owned by Toyota Motor Corp., unveiled a concept model for a next-generation EV car that is set to be launched in 2026. The sedan type LF-ZC will be an important vehicle for determining Toyota’s future amid the rapid global shift to EVs in major markets.

Mazda Motor Corp. unveiled the Iconic SP, a concept model for a compact sports car and a plug-in hybrid car. The vehicle is equipped with a rotary engine that runs on synthetic fuel.

Toyota showcased two concept models for next-generation EVs with renewed batteries and innovative production methods, the first of their kind in the world. These models are the FT-Se sports car and FT-3e sports utility vehicle, with release dates yet to be determined.

DECLINING EXHIBITION IN RECENT YEARS

The rebranding to the Mobility Show comes amid waning global interest in motor shows.

The Tokyo Motor Show began in 1954 and attracted more than 2 million visitors at its peak in 1991.

It was counted as one of the top five motor shows in the world, alongside those in places like Detroit. Domestic and international manufacturers showcased their latest vehicles and concept cars in Tokyo.

However, when the asset-inflated bubble economy burst in the early 1990s, the domestic market also matured.

After the 2008 collapse of U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers, which triggered a global financial crisis, foreign manufacturers began withdrawing their exhibits. In 2017, only 770,000 people visited the show.

AIMING FOR 1 MILLION VISITORS

In the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, the number of visitors exceeded 1 million, thanks in part to the inclusion of participants from various industries and the hosting of a “Kidzania” event, where children could have job experiences.

However, automobile companies are now using social media to unveil their new models online.

Car companies around the world, except for those in China, the world’s largest automobile market, have increasingly declined to participate in Japanese motor shows. This trend forced the Tokyo Motor Show to make further changes.

The organizers are aiming to attract more than 1 million visitors this year.

“We would like this show to make a comeback as an event that attracts global attention,” said a senior member of Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association Inc.

BEYOND CARS

The Japan Mobility Show is aiming for a resurgence by incorporating exhibitors from diverse industries such as railways, telecommunications and tourism, as well as startups.

The event will use both videos and physical exhibitions to showcase over 100 new mobility vehicles, including four-legged walking robots that looks like they’ve come right out of a science fiction movie and remote-operated robots for disaster recovery work.

In addition, the show offers numerous related events, including areas hosting booths from 100 startups.

A record 475 companies are scheduled to take part in the event, significantly surpassing the 192 that attended the previous Tokyo Motor Show in 2019.

The highlight of the show, according to its organizer, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, is the “Tokyo Future Tour,” which offers visitors a glimpse into the world of the near future.

The event will be open to the public from Oct. 28.

(This article was written by Takumi Wakai, Chihaya Inagaki and Kohei Kondo.)