One of my new year's resolutions is to contribute more to the Simpson blog. On this rainy and grey day in Paris I'll share with you a few random shots of my recent trip to Japan. Over the next year I will be attempting to attract Japanese electric and hybrid vehicle manufacturers to invest in France. Why France, you ask? Well, for one, it produces the cheapest electricity in Europe through its extensive network of nuclear power stations. As the Japanese are interested in gaining greater shares of the European auto market, wining and dining are in order.
The Japanese have a very refined and healthy cuisine. Most of the time you don't really know what you're eating, but presentation goes a long way.
Here is part of my team. The mission was organized by the French Embassy in Tokyo, the French Petroleum Institute, the Paris Regional Economic Development Agency and the Yvelines County Council.
For my one day of freedom from Mitsubishi, Honda, Sanyo, Hitachi, and Yanmar , I strolled in some of Tokyo's public gardens during peak foliage season.
Japanese architecture is all about the intimacy of interior spaces. Hard to capture with an iphone.
The city of Himeji. In six days we traveled via bullet train from Tokyo to Nagoya to Kyoto to Himeji and back. Nagoya is home to Toyota, leaps and bonds ahead in hybrid technology.
Tokyo's core is occupied by the imperial palace. This is only a guard house.
In every city I visit I always take a few shots of public transit. It's the planner in me. In the world's largest megalopolis organization is key. This goes from encouraging face masks for riders experiencing symptoms of illness to discouraging women from applying make up .
Some neat little griddle cakes with read bean filling.
Real fish.
Yokohama vending machines.
A very bad copy.
Test driving the new Mitsubishi Mi-EV. At $35 000 for a tiny compact with little horsepower, a very tough sell. France is offering 5000 Euros rebate to encourage electric vehicle sales. Will it make a difference?
Himeji castle framed by Japanese maples. Atop the hill sits one of three remaining Japanese castles built entirely of wood.
Though tourist-filled, Tokyo's traditional Japanese gardens inspire calm.
It was a good business trip but Id like to go back as a tourist. Next time Id like to hike up Mt Fuji, only an hour north of Tokyo.
For the time being the Japanese automakers plan to continue their R&D from the comfort of their home country, although Nissan and Mitsubishi have already forged partnerships with the two major French carmakers, PSA Peugeot Citroen and Renault to work together on new models.
I don't know if the electric car has a future, but the county I work for has decided to focus resources on promoting its potential. As a proponent of car-sharing in a very congested metropolis, I hope the electric car debate urges us to consider new forms of urban mobility.
