Beyond the Deep Fog

The streets of Beijing were shrouded in a deep haze.

It obscured visibility, blocked the sunlight, and made the city appear dimly.

Held every two years, the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (hereafter, the Beijing Show) takes place at the China International Exhibition Center, located near the city's international airport. This year marked the 12th iteration. In 2010, the previous event, a total of 990 vehicles were displayed, attracting 785,600 visitors. It is one of the world's largest automotive shows. Moreover, it's not just large in scale. Major automakers from Japan, Europe, and the US, not to mention Chinese companies, are all present. Ultra-luxury brands like Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Ferrari, and Lamborghini also vie for exhibition space. The bustling success of the Beijing Show vividly reflects the current state of the Chinese market, which has already become the world's leader in vehicle production and sales, and is poised to surpass the US in premium car sales.

A Neighbor Enveloped in Enthusiasm

On the first day of the media event, the venue was beautifully decorated, as if the previous day's chaos had been a mere illusion. Yet, in corners, I saw exhibitors relaxing on chairs lined up beside their booths. It was difficult to comprehend why so many people who appeared to be general visitors were present on a media day, which is supposed to be open only to the press. The crowd pressed and jostled, each trying to get one step closer to their desired car. This fervor left Japanese people, accustomed to living with a certain order, feeling a slight bewilderment.

However, Japan was much the same 20 to 30 years ago. Back then, it wasn't unusual for people to rush towards narrow entrances without minding collisions in the crowds. After experiencing the period of high economic growth and the bubble economy, and as overseas travel became less of a rarity, various social manners seem to have become established in Japan.


Present-day China closely resembles Japan during "that era." Like an adolescent whose physical growth outpaces their emotional maturity, the economy develops rapidly, but societal development struggles to keep pace, creating a sense of frustration. This immense energy, born from an overconfidence that this growth will continue forever and there's no need to prepare for tomorrow, overwhelms us, who live in a country that is moving past its prime.

Nevertheless, Chinese society and its people are undeniably maturing. As incomes rise and people grow accustomed to luxurious lifestyles, and as overseas travel exposes them to Western cultures, their initial roughness begins to fade, and they learn the true meaning of sophistication. During my stay at a hotel in Beijing this time, I witnessed Chinese individuals yielding their path to others and holding doors open for those passing through on several occasions. While I acknowledge this is a personal impression and should not be unduly generalized, it was something I had rarely experienced during previous visits to China.

In any case, China is undergoing rapid transformation. People are learning the value of genuine brands, embracing the concept of sustainability, and showing increasing interest in eco-friendly cars. It is difficult to predict how long this trend will continue or where it will lead, but one thing is certain: we in Japan will undoubtedly be influenced by our neighbor's growth, fueled by its immense energy.