THERE is still a slight hangover. You just can’t get over the Japan Mobility Show (JMS) in Tokyo that fast. Always, it clings to the soul like a beautiful dream.
Actually, the last JMS, formerly the Tokyo Motor Show until it became the Japan Mobility Show beginning in 2023 to emphasize its global shift to include new technologies like AI (Artificial Intelligence), was another stunning showcase of advances in future mobility that put the world’s leading car brands on a pedestal, led no less by Toyota, the hands-down superstar in the just-ended event together with Lexus.
For example, Toyota’s reveal of the Century caught the JMS crowd by surprise, not expecting the sudden re-birth of an icon in vehicle engineering.
‘Our chairman (Akio Toyoda of Toyota Motor Corporation) has always been like that,’ said Masando Hashimoto, the president of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP). ‘He loves to surprise.’
One exquisite JMS surprise from Toyoda was when he said that the Century, a massively-built standalone luxury sedan that directly challenges the Rolls-Royce and Bentley, is now a completely independent entity from Toyota.
‘That makes it four distinct companies for us now,’ said Hashimoto. ‘Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu and Century.’
For added accent, Century does not also carry the Toyota logo anymore and instead, it has the Phoenix logo.
‘Century’s immediate targets are Japan and China,’ Hashimoto said. ‘An equal number of left-hand drive and right-hand drive units for China and Japan, respectively, will hopefully be ready by mid-2026.’
Car buffs from the Philippines will have to wait a little longer.
‘Advance orders will be entertained depending on demand and market conditions,’ said Hashimoto. ‘Europe and America will have to wait, too.’
Suspenseful, indeed, as Toyoda-san’s unique character defines his eccentric leadership style.
E-mail from Tokyo
HERE’S an e-mail from JMS organizers, proving once more how they value their visitors who came for the 10-day car show.
‘Dear Member of the Press,
‘The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc. (Chairman: Masanori KATAYAMA) is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of Japan Mobility Show 2025, which took place from October 30 to November 9, 2025 at Tokyo Big Sight in Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo.
‘Japan Mobility Show 2025-held under the concept, ‘A unique opportunity to explore the future of mobility’ and intended to embody wide-ranging aspirations for the creation of the future through shared excitement and collaborative thinking-welcomed over one million visitors.
‘Notably, a record 522 companies and organizations participated in the show, with the aim of contributing to the creation of a prospering and vibrant mobility-based society, extending beyond the automotive industry to include IT, telecommunications, and electronics sectors as well as start-up companies, among others.
‘We take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to the show’s visitors, exhibitors and all other parties involved for their support.
‘Mobility is more than just a means of transportation. It has moved people emotionally and shaped memories and values. Precisely because we live in uncertain times, we will continue to join hands across diverse industries to deliver hope for a brighter future powered by mobility.
‘Some Japan Mobility Show 2025 highlights:
Tokyo Future Tour 2035: Approximately 311,000 visitors
Mobility Culture Program: Approximately 346,000 visitors
Mirai Mobility Maker app downloads: Cumulative 10,855 users
Social Media Impacts:
A total of 483,858 posts were generated across social platforms
nAMA’s own posts generated 53 million impressions.’
Indeed, to the dyed-in-the-wool car enthusiast, the biennial show is a must-attend event if only-in the cerebral words of TMP executive vice president Jing Atienza: ‘For its innovative and futuristic approach to vehicle transformation and radical metamorphosis.’
Here’s to the next JMS in 2027-my 17th straight if ever!
SMC typhoon aid
SAN Miguel Corporation (SMC) has implemented a toll-free access for marked government vehicles mobilized for relief and recovery operations in areas affected by Typhoon Uwan.
SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang said the company’s toll operations teams are coordinating closely with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) to implement the order.
‘Our priority is to make sure responders get to affected communities as quickly as possible,’ Ang said. ‘We have always worked with government in times of calamity. It’s part of our responsibility to help and to make sure aid reaches those who need it.’
SMC Infrastructure operates more than 200 kilometers of expressways in Luzon, including the Skyway System, South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), STAR Tollway, Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) and NAIA Expressway.
SMC has always been ready to assist during national emergencies, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the company waived over P230 million in toll fees for medical front-liners across all its expressways.
PEE STOP
Danielle Ann Pabalan reports that Honda cars damaged by Typhoon Tino across Visayas and Mindanao will be extended assistance by Honda Cars dealerships in said areas. A 30-percent discount on spare parts, among others, is available up to Nov. 18.