The Great East Japan Earthquake which struck Japan on March 11 this year has caused tremendous damage. By cutting off supply chains, it has brought about a major drop in Japanese automobile manufacturing, and its effects have even been felt in the manufacture of Japanese automobiles overseas. However, the Japanese automobile industry has dedicated itself to recovery and restoration efforts, and succeeded in restoring production to normal levels in a short period of time.
The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc. (Chairman: Toshiyuki Shiga) will, as planned, hold the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011 from Friday, December 2 to Sunday, December 11, 2011 (General Public Days begins Saturday, December 3). The show will be held at Tokyo Big Sight in Ariake, Koto-ku, marking the return of the show to Tokyo for the first time in 24 years. We are confident that this show will showcase, both to those within Japan and overseas, the resilience of Japanese manufacturing.
There are two Press Days on Wednesday, November 30 and Thursday, December 1. On the Special Guest Day on Friday, December 2, the Opening Ceremony and Show Tour by His Imperial Highness Prince Tomohito of Mikasa will be held.
176 exhibitors (number of brands, 35,151 m2 of exhibition space) from 12 countries and 1 region will be participating. This represents a large increase over the previous show, held in 2009, in which 129 exhibitors (number of brands, 21,823 m2 of exhibition space) from 10 countries and 1 region participated. The number of exhibitors (number of brands) has increased by 36%, and the exhibition space by 61%.
All 14 Japanese automobile manufacturers and 15 brands will be exhibiting, as well as 20 foreign manufacturers and 24 foreign brands (passenger cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and Carrozzerias), a significant increase over the 9 foreign manufacturers and 9 foreign brands of the previous show.
Asia is seeing rapid automobile market growth in countries such as China and India, and there has been a sharp uptake in interest in motor shows in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and New Delhi. In such circumstances, the Tokyo Motor Show, as a symbol of the technological powerhouse of Japan, will strive to serve as a source of information regarding the cutting edge technologies that tie together automobiles, cities, and people, aiming to become the world's foremost technology motor show.
This year's Tokyo Motor Show will be the site of the new organizer themed project, "SMART MOBILITY CITY 2011". This project is to showcase "next-generation automobiles and the social systems with which they interact" to highlight the roles and responsibilities of the automotive industry amidst growing concern over the global environment and energy issues.
The theme of this year's show is "Mobility can change the world." Automobiles are more than just transportation; they now offer solutions to issues such as our environment, safety, and energy. The new theme delivers a bright message for the future of the automobile industry.
This show will feature 52 world premieres (26 passenger cars, 3 commercial vehicles, 16 motorcycles, 5 carrozzerias and 2 vehicle bodies) and 82 Japan premieres (53 passenger cars, 4 commercial vehicles, 23 motorcycles, 1 carrozzeria and 1 vehicle body). (The 41st Tokyo Motor Show in 2009: 41 world premieres (21 passenger cars, 17 motorcycles and 3 carrozzerias) and 21 Japan premieres (7 passenger cars, 12 motorcycles and 2 carrozzeria))
26 companies and organizations from a wide range of industries, ranging from energy and the environment to information communications, will participate in the iconic event of the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011. In addition to exhibiting cutting edge technologies, a core exhibition area will be established, composed of next generation automobile exhibits and core technology guides, featuring a thematic video concerning the mobility society of 2040 to 2050. There will be next generation automobile test rides and automatic driving demonstrations, two international symposiums with the themes of ITS and smart communities, an advanced technology seminar for specialists, kids' workshops to foster the dreams of the children who will be the leaders of the next generation, and more.
On Saturday, December 3, the first General Public Day, the heads of JAMA member companies will take part in a car parade and talk session.
For 5 days from December 2 (Fri) to December 6 (Tue), a special course will be set up in the Outdoor Exhibition Space, and visitors will be able to experience the newest car models from each manufacturer by riding along with members of the Automotive Journalist Association of Japan (AJAJ), and instructors.
The motorcycle test ride program will be held during 4 days in the latter half of the show, from December 8 (Thu) to December 11 (Sun). Visitors will be able to test ride motorcycles on a modified version of the car test ride program course.
Also, a test ride program for Yamaha electricity-assisted bicycles will be held concurrently in the area adjacent to the motorcycle course.
The Tour of the Tokyo Motor Show Guided by Automotive Journalists, held for the first time at the previous show in 2009, will be offered again this year. Members of the Automotive Journalist Association of Japan (AJAJ) will again serve as guides, introducing the highlights of the show from a specialist's perspective. This tour was offered free of charge at the previous show, however, this year will require registration in advance, as well as a participation fee.
Advance registration is already possible via the Tokyo Motor Show official website "e-tix online ticket service", and requires the purchase of Admission Ticket with Guided Tour Participation Voucher (2,000 yen: 1,300 yen admissions ticket plus 700 yen tour fee).
This symposium has become a regular program of the Tokyo Motor Show. This year, 5 automotive themes have been scheduled, including next generation car life, vehicle safety, and barrier-free vehicles.
Tomy Co., Ltd. has sponsored miniature car exhibits since the 35th show in 2001. This year's commemorative Tokyo Motor Show model lineup will feature 12 cars: 8 passenger cars and 4 commercial vehicles. Cars Tomica and Techology Tomica, which generate power from rolling, will also be available for purchase. The show will also feature the Tomica Assembly Plant, in which British double-decker busses will be assembled from parts selected by participants.
A soapbox derby will be held with the cooperation of the Japan International Soap Box Derby. In this event, primarily directed at elementary school students, participants will assemble wooden kit cars at the venue, and compete in time trials on a 10 meter long course. This not only offers the next generation of children an opportunity to gain a greater affinity with cars, but also conveys the joy of crafting.
The special stage in the Atrium on the 1st floor of the West Exhibition Hall will be the site of live performances by Fuji TV and TOKYO FM, as well as various entertainment events, such as talk shows about fashion and cars.
In the afternoon of the first day of General Public Days, Saturday, December 3, based on the results of the voting session held at the site earlier in the day, the Car of the Year (COTY) Japan Executive Committee will announce the Car of the Year Japan on the special stage in the Atrium on the 1st floor of the West Exhibition Hall.
The special stage in the Atrium on the 1st floor of the West Exhibition Hall will be the site of live performances by Fuji TV and TOKYO FM, as well as various entertainment events, such as talk shows about fashion and cars.
Charity T-shirts produced through collaboration between Japanese automobile manufacturers, will be available exclusively at the show. The proceeds from the sales of these T-shirts, with the theme of energizing Japan through cars and fashion, will be donated to help assist to recover from the Great East Japan Earthquake. The Tokyo Motor Show Fashion Shop will also offer clothes, accessories, and automobile related merchandise that conveys the joy of car life.
Organizer information on the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011 is available from the Tokyo Motor Show official website and the official mobile site. These are where to go for the latest news.
Official Website: http://www.tokyo-motorshow.com/
Official mobile site: http://m.tokyo-motorshow.com (Japanese only)
For the first time, each day, a new issue of the Tokyo Motor Show News, a daily information publication which also serves as a venue pamphlet, will be published. It will feature articles and daily coverage by dedicated editing staff, conveying various attractive facets of the Tokyo Motor Show in a way that was not possible with previous venue pamphlets. This tool will showcase the “New Tokyo Motor Show”, returning to Tokyo for the first time in 24 years. A total of 700,000 issues will be produced during the course of the show.
The show is open from 10:00 to 20:00 from Monday to Saturday - 2 hours longer than past shows. In order to make it possible for people to visit the Tokyo Motor Show after work, discounted evening tickets are available for admission from 18:00 or later. These discounted evening tickets are only sold at the venue on the same day, and cost 500 yen for adults (versus 1,500 yen for regular tickets), and 200 yen for high school students (versus 500 yen for regular tickets).
This year will again feature a Special Viewing Day for Wheelchair Users on the second Press Day, Thursday, December 1, from 13:00 to 18:00. Admission will be free for wheelchair users and up to 2 accompanying persons. Applications were accepted on the Tokyo Motor Show official website from Thursday, September 15 to Thursday, October 20.
This year will retain special viewings for elementary and junior high school children as an extracurricular activity, which have been continued since 2000 (the 34th show). This year, this program has been enhanced by having members of the Automotive Journalist Association of Japan (AJAJ) provide the children with information and features of the Tokyo Motor Show.
The JTB Group has been designated as the show's official travel agency, and on August 29 (Thu) opened a reservation page on the Tokyo Motor Show official website, allowing exhibitors, members of the press (Japanese and international), and visitors to place reservations for hotels in the area around Tokyo Big Sight. Service for general visitors began on October 6 (Thu).
Lufthansa has become the first official airline of the Tokyo Motor Show, and is offering discounted international air tickets for visitors traveling to the Tokyo Motor Show from overseas. Reservations have been possible from the dedicated Lufthansa site linked from the Tokyo Motor Show official website since September 15 (Thu).
Advance tickets will be on sale from Friday, November 4. Major sales agents include convenience stores, the ticket counters of major public transportation services, major travel agencies, and play guides etc.
Advance tickets have been on sale since August 1 (Mon) via the e-tix online ticket service on the Tokyo Motor Show official website. Mobile tickets, which enable one’s mobile phone to be used in place of a ticket, are also available.
4 types of posters heralding the Tokyo Motor Show have been posted on a staggered schedule since mid-August at the facilities of the members of the Machizukuri Council.
Original stamps have been placed in front of stores and establishments that are members of the Machizukuri Council, to be used in the "Tokyo Waterfront Area Stamp Rally". Participants who collect the specified number of stamps may receive commemorative items at the Tokyo Motor Show venue, etc.
"The Tokyo Motor Show News" daily information publication, which serves as both a guide to the show and as a provider of vivid, daily information regarding the show, will contain coupons which can be used at commercial facilities, restaurants, and other establishments in the surrounding area, promoting visits by guests to the Tokyo waterfront area.
On Saturday nights during December (December 3, 10, 17, and 24, starting at 19:00), Odaiba Rainbow Fireworks will be held, sponsored by the “Odaiba Rainbow Fireworks 2011” Executive Committee, together with the Rinkai Fukutoshin Machizukuri Council.
Visitors can enjoy these fireworks shows after seeing the Tokyo Motor Show.
On Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11, the Tokyo Big Sight surrounding area will feature an exhibition of working cars such as fire engines and police cars.
The Tokyo Motor Show is collaborating with CEATEC JAPAN, which represents the IT and electronics industries, sending out a joint message of recovery and restoration from the Great East Japan Earthquake. This collaboration will showcase to the market and industry worlds, both inside and outside Japan, the resilience of Japanese manufacturing. Specific coordinated measures have included the issuing of invitations based on the media lists, both domestic and international, of both shows, announcements of the shows on each other's official websites (mutual links), and the display of Tokyo Motor Show posters and distribution of pamphlets at the CEATEC venue.
##
