Tokyo international auto show returns after 3-year hiatus

Tokyo: The International Auto Show, which has been absent from Japan for three years, has made its grand return in Tokyo.

This year's edition, known as the Japan Mobility Show, aims to showcase not only modern vehicles but also products from diverse sectors, including robotics, software, and batteries.

Since the previous show in 2019, the electric vehicle (EV) market in Japan has faced a slowdown.

Only 1.7 percent of vehicles sold in Japan in 2022 were electric, a stark contrast to the approximately 15 percent market share in Western Europe, 5.3 percent in the United States, and nearly one in five in China.

Among the key players at the show, BYD, one of the three foreign auto companies participating, is in competition with Tesla, led by Elon Musk, to become the world's leading EV manufacturer.

These companies are committed to advancing their EV business to meet the growing global demand.

Toyota, a major player in the automotive industry, has set ambitious EV sales targets, aiming to sell 1.5 million EVs annually by 2026 and 3.5 million by 2030.

To achieve these goals, Toyota has made substantial investments in battery technology.

The Tokyo show will witness the introduction of several new Japanese EVs, primarily in concept form.

An example of this is Honda's car and motorbike made from recycled acrylic resin, demonstrating the industry's commitment to innovation and sustainability.