Theres a new emperor in town, and apparently, his new groove is going topless.Topless vehicle that is! Yes, after 30 years of the Heisei Era ended and the Reiwa Era began, its also time for a new car to carry the royal family to the succession ceremony on October 22. This time its a real doozy, a convertible Toyota Century.Toyota doesnt make a Century convertible for the masses, but when the emperor of a country especially the country where your company originated wants one, you would be hard-pressed to refuse.According to Japanese Nostalgic Car, the vehicle is officially a royal parade car, and so has been fitted with parade appropriate features. Obviously, the roof has been removed, but the Century remains a four-door, with four seats. The rear seats have been raised 4 centimetres and are fixed at a 25-degree angle for onlookers to get an unobstructed view of the royals. Other than the modifications, the car is a stock, third-generation Toyota Century, which despite its mundane appearance, is one of the most impressive vehicles ever made. The paint is carefully applied with seven layers, and then wet-sanded three times. The front grille emblem is carved by hand over a six-week process.This is the first new parade car in 30 years, with the previous being a 1990 Rolls-Royce Corniche III which was only used twice.After the Century carries Emperor Naruhito through the 4.6-kilometre route from the Imperial palace through Tokyo to Akasaka Palace, it will be displayed in Tokyo and Kyoto and will be used for special occasions like the 2020
Origin: The emperor of Japan is getting a convertible Toyota Century
Japan?
Trump rejects new tariffs on Japan auto imports ‘at this moment’
US President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as he departs the White House, in Washington, DC, on June 2, 2019. (Jim Watson / Getty Images President Donald Trump says he is not at this moment considering fresh tariffs on imported autos and parts from Japan that he has threatened, citing an agreement in principle with Japan on trade announced over the weekend.Its one of the reasons we made the deal, Trump said in a press conference at the conclusion of the G-7 summit in France.Its something I could do at a later date if I wanted to but were not looking at that. We just want to be treated fairly.The threat of steep new U.S tariffs on imported automobiles and components has loomed over the auto industry and major U.S. trading partners since the the U.S. Commerce Department in February found those imports could impair national security.Trump backed that finding in May, but delayed imposing new levies on the sector through at least mid-November to allow U.S. negotiators to pursue trade deals with Japan and the European Union.Trump had earlier said there would be no change to U.S. tariffs on Japanese autos after he and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced an agreement-in-principle over the weekend. During the press conference Monday, Trump also said the U.S. is very close to reaching a trade pact with the European Union, citing the specter of additional levies of up to 25 per cent on imported autos as a reason why.We made a great deal with Japan and were very close to maybe making a deal with the EU, because they dont want tariffs, its very simple. They dont want to tax cars, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Trump said. I think were going to make a deal with the EU without having to go that route. I may have to go that route but maybe
Origin: Trump rejects new tariffs on Japan auto imports ‘at this moment’
Japan played a hidden role in breakdown of Fiat-Renault deal
This picture shows a general view of the Nissan Motors headquarters in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture on December 17, 2018.Behrouz Mehri / Getty Images via AP The Japanese government played a role in the breakdown of merger talks between Renault and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles earlier this month, weighing in with concerns the combination could harm Nissan, people familiar with the matter said.Japan signaled its misgivings over the deal to the French government, said the people, asking not to be identified speaking about the negotiations.France Renaults most powerful shareholder then sought a pause in the talks for more time to win Nissans support, provoking Fiat to withdraw its offer.Details on Japans role, only emerging now, highlight the obstacles to a quick resumption in merger negotiations between Renault and its Italo-American rival. They also show that France and Japan can find common ground to protect their carmakers and the two-decade Renault-Nissan alliance.A spokesman for Japans ministry of economy, trade and industry declined to comment, as did a spokesman for the French finance ministry. Representatives for Renault and Nissan also declined to comment.Renault and the French state are now focusing on repairing the relationship with Nissan, under strain since the November arrest of Carlos Ghosn, who oversaw both companies and their partnership. Tensions escalated further when Renaults new chairman, Jean-Dominique Senard, pressed Nissan for a merger it didnt want, then pursued the Fiat deal without telling the Japanese company. Relations touched a new low earlier this month when Senard threatened to block Nissans new governance plan at its annual shareholders meeting. An accord Thursday put an end to the spat over boardroom powers, easing tensions for now.Nissan had been cool to the Fiat-Renault deal since it first learned of the talks, people familiar with the matter said. But rather than come out against it openly, the Japanese companys representatives on Renaults board choose to signal their opposition with an abstention, the people said. Dialogue with Japanese officials helped their French counterparts understand Nissans position, prompting France to put the brakes on the
Origin: Japan played a hidden role in breakdown of Fiat-Renault deal
Japan wants to limit seniors to driving cars with high-tech safety features
Statistics support driving tests for seniors over a certain age.Stock image Following a rise in fatal traffic accidents involving senior citizens in Japan, authorities are considering a change to licensing legislation that would require drivers over a certain age to only pilot safety-enhanced vehicles with features like automatic brakes. The changes, being developed by the National Police Agency in collaboration with various national ministries, will be proposed to Japan’s Cabinet along with the government’s growth strategy, sources recently told The Japan Times. According to Japan’s National Police Agency, the incidence of fatal accidents caused by drivers over the age of 75 in Japan has almost doubled in the last ten years. In 2008, fatal accidents caused by that age group accounted for 8.7 per cent of the total number in the country; in 2018, with 460 fatalities caused by drivers over 75, that figure was tallied at 14.8 per cent. The Agency commissioned three panels of experts to come up with some potential solutions to the growing issue. The new license would limit certain drivers to certain areas at certain times in certain vehicles, likely ones that include automatic braking and fail-safes for when the wrong pedal is pressed. This April, an 88-year-old driver and former government official struck and killed a mother and her daughter, and injured six others, in Tokyo. And even more recently in the city of Fukuoka, an 81-year-old driver collided with five other vehicles in an intersection, killing himself and his wife and injuring nine others. In both cases, it is believed the driver mistook the gas pedal for the brake pedal.
Origin: Japan wants to limit seniors to driving cars with high-tech safety features
Toyota, Panasonic form joint venture to build—housing in Japan?
2018 Toyota Camry XLEAl Charest Japanese automaker Toyota and electronics maker Panasonic are forming a joint venture combining their housing businesses in Japan. Toyota, which offers housing as well as vehicles in Japan, said the new company will offer homes showcasing technology such as connected cars and the internet of things. Panasonic said its housing subsidiary will become part of the joint venture. The companies said Thursday the deal will be concluded by January 2020. Both sides said communities will increasingly want connected cars, autonomous driving, car-sharing and ecological vehicles. Earlier this year, Toyota and Panasonic announced a joint venture to research, manufacture and sell batteries for ecological autos, an increasingly lucrative sector amid concerns about global warming. The companies have been studying working together on batteries since
Origin: Toyota, Panasonic form joint venture to build—housing in Japan?
All about car 