The Japan Mobility Show 2023 kicked off on Oct. 26 and lasted until Nov. 5. The event was formerly the Tokyo Auto Show, which hadn’t been held due to COVID-19 since 2021. After a two-year hiatus, it returned in full cry.
There were too many booths for one journalist to cover, but we hand-picked our favorite moments from the show. Electric cars and trucks were displayed next to electrified aircraft, motorcycles, and alternative mobility options. It wasn’t just the cars that captured people’s attention; this was almost like the ultimate festival.
Here are our top five moments from the Japan Mobility Show.
Photo Courtesy Honda
Concept Cars Galore
Novel electric and gas-powered cars were all the rage in Tokyo. Domestic brands like Honda, Toyota, and Nissan unveiled their next generation of vehicles. Toyota has a new electric sports car in the works. However, what stole the show was the many new racing models that will be used in professional autosports like Super GT, Formula E, WRC, WEC, IndyCar, and Formula 1.
Honda showed off several electric vehicles (EVs) it plans to bring to market in the coming years, including the highly-anticipated electric Prelude redux concept, which Honda said is coming in 2026.
Subaru unveiled its Subaru Sport Mobility, its upcoming electric sports car, along with several Japan-specific cars.
Mazda is launching the Iconic SP, its next step into the electric sports car models. Lexus, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, and Nissan also had concept vehicles on display. Many are creating novel SUVs and pickup trucks for Asian, European, and North American markets.
Pushing For Faster EV Transitions
Despite being praised for their vehicles’ reliability and longevity, Japanese manufacturers have faced criticism for their rather slow rollout of EV options. Some only have one available model, while others have yet to launch one or are determined to make hybrid engines the preferred choice.
The Japan Mobility Show was a shift in personality: more companies are committed to EV development and deployment. Toyota announced it would pivot to battery EVs in 2026, and Subaru said it would join the North American Charging Standard during the show’s run. More options from these affordable brands will encourage more adoption globally.
Photo Courtesy Japan Mobility Show
Electric Aircraft Shares Spotlight
Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe gave a speech on Oct. 25 about the state of the company’s EV developments. He reinforced Honda’s desire to continue innovations in electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft and jet planes.
“When we can combine these aircraft with mobility systems on the ground and enable people to travel more freely and seamlessly on the ground, in the ocean, and the skies, the hurdles people face in long-distance traveling will be lowered,” he said. “This would make it easier for people to live in a nature-rich suburban area and work in the cities only when necessary.”
It wasn’t just Honda showing zero-emission aircraft. Aichi Prefecture, Japan’s largest aerospace industry hub, presented drones and “sky mobility” options in package delivery and natural disaster relief.
A coalition of aerospace firms took part in the exhibit. It is a cog in the prefecture’s — similar to a county in America — Innovation Business Creation Strategy to get more cars off the road and install more sustainable mobility options in the region.
Photo Courtesy Japan Mobility Show
Food And Music Add Flair To Show
Though it was a car show, it could have easily doubled as a food and music festival. A fantastic lineup of gourmet food stands and top Japanese music artists added an extra element of pizzazz to the convention. Some food items include delicacies from the Sendai region of Japan, black shichimi spiced beef from Kyoto, and Tokyo-area meals.
There was a world food hall featuring international cuisine from all over the world. West African food, particularly jollof rice, was a huge hit.
A family gourmet food hall was also open, designed for families looking for meals kids would love. It also included balloons and other Japanese festival items.
In terms of music acts, Japanese hip-hop artists made their appearance on Nov. 2. The HOPE Stage is a product of Japan’s largest hip-hop music festival, and they brought several big names in Japan, such as AK-69, a car enthusiast and rapper. A Japanese pop music or “J-Pop” stage was also set up on Oct. 28, featuring acts like The Rampage and Lil League. There was also a comedy show on Nov. 1 with some of Japan’s most popular comedians.
Photo Courtesy Japan Mobility Show
Electric Motorcycles/Scooters
Multiple electric motorcycle and bike models were revealed at the show, from top brands like Yamaha and niche ones like E-FV. There were e-bikes on display, including downhill versions, a covered electric motor-trike called the AA-1, made by aidea Co., a Japanese motorcycle maker. It lays out all the options people will have when choosing an EV, whether a car, motorcycle, bike, or aircraft.
There were hundreds of exhibits at the show that we couldn’t cover them all. We highly recommend you look over some of the literature and photos covering the Japan Mobility Show. It was a glimpse into what could be the future of electric transportation.
