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PRESS RELEASES |
November 7, 2001 |
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The 35th Tokyo Motor Show, the First One of the 21st Century, Was a Success |
| The Japan Motor Industrial Federation (Chairman:
Hiroshi Okuda) closed a successful 35th Tokyo Motor Show (Patron:
H.I.H. Prince Tomohito of Mikasa) on Wednesday, November 7.
The show was held at the Makuhari Messe (Nippon Convention Center)
in Chiba City from October 26 (Fri.) through November 7 (Wed.).
This year’s show contended with the cancellation of the
opening ceremonies to express JMIF’s sympathy for the victims
of the terrorist attacks in the U.S., and intensified security
measures such as inspecting visitors’ personal belongings
at entrances, but ended smoothly. |
| This year was the first passenger car and motorcycle
show held in the 21st Century, and the theme was “Open
the Door! The Automobile’s Bright Future.” Exhibitors
were from 13 countries, 273 companies, 6 governments, and 2
organizations, and they presented 709 passenger cars and motorcycles. |
| The total number of visitors for the show’s
13 days was 1,276,900, down 8 % from the previous 1,386,400
for the 33rd show in 1999. However, taking into account that
a national holiday coincided with a Saturday for the show period,
and that the global economy has experienced a downturn, the
number of visitors could be said to be close to that of the
previous show, thereby proving that consumers are still excited
about automobiles and the Tokyo Motor Show. |
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| A variety of concept cars and soon-to-be launched
vehicles equipped with environmental, safety, and IT technology
attracted visitors’ attention. The key words of exhibitors’
booth themes ranged from “fun,” “dreams,”
and “unique” to “emotions,” demonstrating
the diversity and breadth of the show. Another noticeable feature
was that the show’s organizer introduced group exhibits,
reflecting the global alliances in the world-leading automotive
industries. A great number of visitor responses were, however,
“It’s easy to understand and get around.” |
| The show drew a number of VIPs including Ms.
Akiko Domoto, Governor of Chiba Prefecture, Mr. Howard H. Baker,
Jr., U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Mr. Keiji Furuya, Senior Vice-Minister
of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr. Shizuo Sato, Senior Vice-Minister
of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Mr. Hisahi Kazama, Senior
Vice-Minister of the Environment, and other distinguished guests,
including several ambassadors and minister-counselors. |
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1. Special Exhibit at Theme Hall – The “Otomo”
Attracted Visitors
The theme of the special exhibit was “Breakthroughs in
Automotive Technology – History-making Cars from Japan.”
This gave visitors a chance to look back upon the history
of the automotive technology revolution in Japan, with a number
of old, renowned cars including the “Otomo,” the
first automobile developed and manufactured entirely in Japan,
being displayed together with informative, educational panels.
2. Symposium “Talk-in 2001” Gathered Many Listeners
The special symposium, “Talk-in 2001,” was held
on the evening of October 31 (Wed.) at the Makuhari Prince
Hotel located adjacent to the show venue, and attracted 450
listeners. The theme was “Open the door: A smart drive
for the new tomorrow – how do the different generations
perceive the charm and value of vehicles?” Professor
Seiichiro Yonekura of Hitotsubashi University was the keynote
speaker, who arrived at the lectern in tune with music he
selected himself and talked about “the advancement of
IT and its effects on lifestyle,” while machine-gunning
questions to the audience. Following his keynote speech, a
panel discussion continued on the theme of “different
views on future vehicles by generations.” This panel
was composed of Assistant Professor Shinji Miyadai of Tokyo
Metropolitan University, Mr. Tadashi Tateuchi, automotive
journalist, Mr. Tsuyoshi Takahashi, Director of Japan Kids
Kart Association, and Ms. Rei Kikukawa, actress, and was coordinated
by Ms. Keiko Katsu, TV anchorwoman.
3. Electronic Ticket Tested
The show organizer also conducted a test of an electronic
ticket system. Those visitors who wanted to use it first applied
for tickets on the Web. Once the remittance for the ticket
was confirmed, an entry approval was sent to their i-mode
cell phones. When they arrived at the show, they simply passed
their cell phone screen displaying their entry approval through
a scanner at the gate. The number of users was 1,539, but
the show organizer was firmly convinced that the system’s
convenience would cause this number to expand in the future.
4. JAMA will become the show organizer from 2002 on.
As already announced, the Japan Motor Industrial Federation
(JMIF) will be integrated with the Japan Automobile Manufacturers
Association (JAMA) in May 2002. The Tokyo Motor Shows to be
held from 2002 on will be managed and operated by JAMA. The
show calendars for 2002 and 2003 are as follows.
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Commercial Vehicle Show |
Passenger Car & Motorcycle Show (Planned) |
| Event |
The 36th Tokyo Motor Show
– Commercial Vehicles – (2002) |
The 37th Tokyo Motor Show
– Passenger Cars & Motorcycles – (2003) |
| Organizer |
Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) |
Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) |
| Show days |
Oct. 29 (Tue) – Nov. 3 (Sun), 2002
Press day : Oct. 29 (Tue)
Special Guest Day : Oct. 29 (Tue)
Public show days : Oct. 30 (Wed) -
Nov. 3 (Sun) |
Oct. 24 (Fri) – Nov. 5 (Wed), 2003
Press days : Oct. 22 (Wed) & 23(Thu)
Special Guest Day : Oct. 24 (Fri)
Public show days : Oct. 25 (Sat) -
Nov. 5 (Wed) |
| Show venue |
Makuhari Messe, Makuhari, Chiba
(Nippon Convention Center) |
Makuhari Messe, Makuhari, Chiba
(Nippon Convention Center) |
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For inquiries:
Until November 9 (Fri.):
Tokyo Motor Show Secretariat Office
Japan Motor Industrial Federation, Inc.
Tel: 043-296-7711, Chikara Wada & Toyokazu Ishida
From November 15 (Thu.) and after (closed Nov. 12-14):
General Affairs Dept.
Japan Motor Industrial Federation, Inc.
Tel: 03-3211-8829, Chikara Wada & Toyokazu Ishida |
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