DRIVING HOME THE "ECO-FRIENDLY" MESSAGE
The 41st Tokyo Motor Show 2009, an exhibition similar to Miraikan, which ended on Nov. 4, attracted more than a million patrons of all ages.
Thousands of children in elementary schools flocked from surrounding prefectures to this year's event to have fun, and to be inspired, and left with a very clear message about the importance of the inextricable link between technology and the environment.
Putting a particular emphasis on appealing to the younger generations, the theme of this year's show was: "Fun Driving for Us, Eco Driving for Earth." A number of the booths and displays were aimed at hardcore motoring and technology.
The Tomica Choro-Q kids' zone was a real hit with the youngsters who enjoyed watching the miniature vehicles whizzing around a very realistic road system.
The Confederation of Japan Automobile Workers' Unions (JAW) manned a hands-on corner where kids could "experience the dreams, fun and splendor of the automobile" through activities such as paper craft car making, motor-powered car modeling and car painting.
"We want them to feel the excitement that creating something from scratch can bring. When they first sit down at one of the tables with their friends, they have nothing but paper card and some rudimentary parts, but by the time they've finished, this will provide the children with a great sense of personal and group achievement and we hope they will feel enthusiastic and excited about cars," said Yukari Endo from JAW.
The 11th Children's Art Exhibit held at the show with the theme of "Dream Cars: Our Futures" comprised about 3,600 works of art from kindergarten-aged children in Chiba City.
The pictures were colorful, imaginative depictions of driving in the future. Two pictures stood out in particular, one was drawn by 6-year-old Shosuke Tanaka, which told an important story about nature, harmony and how driving in the future could be fun, cool and clean.
The other picture was made by a 4-year-old boy, Shotaro Murakami. In his mind the future's driving or transportation had no need for polluted roads and congestion.
One of the biggest lures for the children attending the show was a game that provided the children with a very real driving experience.
"We want the children to associate cars with fun and enjoyment and hopefully they'll grow up to be a generation that's passionate about cars and the car industry," Koji Miyata, a Grand Tourino representative explained.
"It's a great idea for the kids to be able to not only learn about the importance of low emission cars, hybrid technology and the positive impact these cars can have on the environment, but they get to drive virtual versions of them, too, which gives them hands-on experience and memories they're not likely to forget in a hurry," he said.
Tomomitsu Kunii, a grade six teacher at Miyoshi Elementary School in Chiba City said: "Also it gives us so much to build on when we're back in the classroom. I don't expect the children to understand all the intricacies behind eco-technology, but as long as they get the message that these new cars can help to protect the environment, then the trip has been an educational success."
"At school we learn a lot about the environment and how we must take care of it because the world is becoming damaged by pollution and is overheating," said Minami Endo, one of Tomomitsu Kunii's students.
"We all know the word 'eco' and we all know that it's important to recycle our garbage. Sometimes our class goes to the local park to pick up rubbish and show people it's not good to just chuck their garbage on the ground. We have to take care of the earth," she concluded with a profound sense of conviction in her voice and written on her face.
"Eco" has become a new buzzword for Japanese children and "being eco" (being environmentally responsible) is fashionable nowadays. All fashions come in and out of style in a cyclical pattern, but it looks as though, for Japanese children, being environmentally conscious and responsible is one style that's hereto stay.
Special report: Global News Day for Children
