1. The Family Car
In Japan, people don't drive all that much. Most people commute to work by train. Urban Japanese use trains for school, shopping and visiting friends. It's also very common to take weekend trips by shinkansen (bullet train).When the Japanese shop for things that are too big or heavy to carry they send it home bytakkyubin (delivery service).
Many urban families have only one car and they barely use it. Cars are often considered a hobby (more than a necessity).
It's common for middle class Japanese families to splurge on a Japanese or European luxury car.
2. Car Shows
Japan hosts many of the world's biggest car shows. The Tokyo Motor Show is the Japanese auto industry's biggest event. Japan's big six auto makers announce new models and technologies at the show.The Tokyo Auto Salon is focused on technologies, parts and customizations (after market industry).
Both shows feature armies of female models who present the cars. These models are commonly referred to as race queens.
3. Drifting
Drifting is a driving technique that developed in Japan in the 1970s whereby drivers deliberately over steer corners while still maintaining control. The desired result is a successful turn that appears spectacularly out of control.Drifting demonstrations and competitions are now common in Japan and around the world. Street drifting is illegal and dangerous — but does happen (particularly in the countryside).
4. Dekotora
Dekotora (also known as Art Trucks) is a type of extravagantly decorated truck in Japan. Dekotora make use of ultra violet lights, neon, chrome and gaudy body paint.
They were first popularized by a series of 10 movies from the 1970s called Truck Guys (Torakku Yaro). In more recent years, designs have been influenced by Gundam (a series of anime about giant robots).
5. Showrooms
Tokyo is the world capital of product showrooms. The city has 100s of massive showrooms that don't sell a thing. They're designed to show products to the media and public. They also play a role in managing relationships with partners and wholesale customers.Car companies (domestic and foreign) have the biggest and best showrooms in Tokyo.
(Toyota Megaweb in Odaida)
6. Kei Cars
Kei cars (Keijidosha) are small Japanese cars under 660 cc and less than 3.4 x 1.48 meters (11.2 x 4.9 feet).They are built to conform to government regulations that tax small cars at a lower rate. It's also cheaper to insure and register a kei car. This policy is designed to save space in crowded urban areas.
In parking constrained Japan, kei cars also have the benefit that they're easier to park.
7. VIP style
VIP style is the modification of Japanese luxury automobiles to have a gangster look. It's associated with yakuza and want-to-be yakuza (yanki).Cars used for VIP Style are typically large Japanese luxury models such as the Nissan President, Nissan Fuga, Toyota Celsior, Toyota Century and Toyota Crown. Cars are modified to have a lower stance. They're also altered to appear wider with wide aggressive wheels and body kits.
(VIP style in California)
8. Why Used Cars Are Cheap in Japan
Japan has a strict motor vehicle inspection system called shaken. Shaken is designed to encourage drivers to get a new car every few years (thus stimulating the car industry).This dreaded process of regular inspections costs around ¥60,000 ($750 US) if your car is in perfect condition. With repairs a typical inspection costs ¥200,000 ($2500 US).
Shaken (every 2 or 3 years) make it expensive to own a used car. This drives down the resell value of cars. Used cars in Japan are significantly cheaper than in most countries.
9. Mark II in Jamaica
Used cars are so inexpensive in Japan that a major industry has developed of exporting them all over the world. Many end up in Africa, Bangladesh, Russia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Australia and the Caribbean. In these locations, it's common to see car models that are only available (new) in Japan.
(Toyota Mark II in Jamaica)
10. The Toyota Way
Toyota is well known for its effective management methodology.The Toyota Way is based on several principles:
1. Prioritize a long term strategy over a short-term view
2. Right processes will produce the right results
3. Add value by developing your people
4. Continual improvement of processes by solving root problems
The Toyota Way focuses on efficiency and quality. For example, any worker has the authority to stop a production line to address a quality problem.
11. Driving Manners
Drivers in Japan live by a unique set of etiquette rules. For example, drivers turn their headlights off when they stop at a light. This is to prevent glare in the eyes of drivers on the opposite side of the intersection.
Drivers in Japan are also known to bow their head to thank other drivers for a courtesy.
12. Nationalist Trucks
Ultra-nationalist groups in Japan modify trucks big and small to have a militaristic look. In many cases, these resemble police vehicles such as crowd control buses (except that they are black).Ultra-nationalists fix loudspeakers to these vehicles and drive around announcing right wing messages and playing nationalist music.
Whenever there's a large right wing demonstration the police are usually waiting with a road block.
13. Limousines
Wealthy Japanese, government officials and foreign VIPs travel by Japanese limousine.Stretched limousines and truck limousines have never been popular in Japan. Large Japanese luxury sedans are the rule.
14. Removing Your Shoes in a Car
In Japan people remove their shoes before entering someone's house. According to Japanese culture, shoes are the most filthy objects conceivable.In the old days, some Japanese people did the same in their cars — removing their shoes before getting into their car. They would drive in slippers they kept in their car (driving slippers). They usually kept a separate pair of slippers for outside the car (outdoor slippers).
Today, this can still be seen from time to time in Japan.
