The Tokyo Mobility Show this year is showcasing not only electric and hydrogen-powered cars but also futuristic forms of personal transport — from robotic chairs to flying vehicles.
Among the highlights is Honda Motor Co.’s Uni-One, a compact, box-shaped robotic chair designed for individual transport by 2035. “It’s all about personal mobility,” said the Tokyo-based automaker known for the Accord sedan.
Toyota Motor Corp. unveiled a prototype of a helicopter-like aircraft equipped with six propellers, developed in partnership with U.S. aviation firm Joby.
These innovations, along with a range of more traditional vehicles, are being displayed at Tokyo Big Sight through November 9. The exhibition opened to the public Thursday after a media preview the previous day.
However, excitement around the event is clouded by U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to raise auto tariffs to 15% from 2.5%, though the rate was reduced from an earlier 25%. The new tariffs could cost Japanese automakers more than 2 trillion yen ($13 billion) in annual operating profits, according to industry estimates.
Mazda Motor Corp. CEO Masahiro Moro, whose company is among the hardest hit, said Mazda engineers are developing cars that can sense drivers’ emotions and promote sustainability. “We believe the joy of driving has the power to shape the future,” Moro told reporters.
Nissan Motor Corp. presented a prototype of its Sakura electric car featuring a retractable solar roof — dubbed the “Ao-Solar Extender” — that generates electricity when parked. The power can be used for household appliances or as an emergency source during disasters. The concept targets eco-conscious families, Nissan said.
“Japan is at the center of what we do because we are a Japanese company,” said Nissan Chief Ivan Espinosa, who also met President Trump earlier this week during his visit to Japan. Espinosa described the meeting, which included discussions with business leaders and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, as “constructive.”
To offset trade imbalances, Nissan and Toyota said they are considering importing models built in the United States back to Japan. Meanwhile, the Japanese government has pledged to buy Ford vehicles and invest $550 billion in the U.S.
Japan exports over a million vehicles to the U.S. each year while selling 4.4 million domestically. Only about 16,000 American cars are sold annually in Japan, a small share of its auto market. Japanese brands, by contrast, account for roughly 40% of vehicles sold in the U.S., many of them made in American factories.
Toyota CEO Koji Sato noted that consumer preferences differ across regions, saying, “We want to be an important part of the American auto industry with a long-term perspective.”
Toyota also displayed a foldable electric bicycle called the Land Hopper, designed to fit inside the upcoming Land Cruiser FJ — the latest version of the company’s iconic off-road vehicle, which debuted in 1951 as the Toyota BJ.
The Land Cruiser, with sales exceeding 12 million units in 190 countries and regions, remains a flagship model. The new FJ version, powered by a 2.7-liter gasoline engine, will go on sale in Japan next year.
Japanese auto exports to the U.S. have recently surged as companies try to get ahead of the tariff hike, which analysts say will begin to bite next year.
“Automakers will look to increase U.S. production where possible and diversify exports to markets like Australia and Canada,” said Darcey Bowling, auto analyst at BMI. “Japan’s vehicle market will likely face challenges due to the elevated U.S. tariffs.”
