America’s GM CEO insults Japanese cars

The 「最高経営責任者」 (Chief Executive Officer (CEO)) of one of America’s automobile corporation,  Dan Akerson, unveiled the latest model of the Chevrolet electric hybrid car called the “Volt“.

GM's Chevrolet "Volt"

At the unveiling of his company’s car, Mr. Akerson decided to express his opinion of Toyota Motor‘s hybrid car, the “Prius“.
He called Japan’s Prius a “geek-mobile” (かっこ悪い車) and he said that he wouldn’t be caught dead in one.

I wouldn’t be caught dead in a (Toyota) Prius.

– Dan Akerson, General Motors C.E.O.

The Toyota Prius doesn’t look “geeky” to me.  What do you think?

 

Toyota Prius

Which do you think is nicer, the Chevy “Volt” or the Toyota “Prius”?

Tokyo is the perfect hybrid

What is your image of Tokyo?
Ultra-modern and high-tech with robots, computerized bath-tubs and toilet seats, skyscrapers, and neon?
Or ancient with centuries-old temples and shrines in quiet old-fashioned neighborhoods with small restaurants and food booths selling very traditional Japanese food and snacks?

Either way, you’d be correct. Tokyo is a perfect hybrid of both the modern and the traditional, sometimes side-by-side.

I love both aspects of this city. The skyline with the skyscrapers and neon lights looks beautiful…and so are the ancient 下町 (traditional, downtown areas).

Last Sunday my wife and I went to a 下町 (traditional, downtown area).
Here are some photos I took:

A parrot outside of a pet store.

This pagoda is about 400 years old.

 

Have you ever visited Tokyo? How do you think it compares with other cities? I think it’s the most beautiful city.

Japan is Eco

Japan is becoming more and more 「エコ」 (“eco”).

How do you say “eco” in English? I’m not even sure. 😉
It’s a Japanese abbreviation for “ecological” or “ecology”…and it describes acting out of concern for the environment.

In Japan, most convenience stores won’t give a plastic bag for small purchases anymore until the customer requests one.
And supermarkets often give bonus points on the customer’s point card if they use their own personal shopping bag rather than taking bags from the store.

Also many restaurants now use regular, washable 箸 (chopsticks) instead of 割箸 (disposable chopsticks).

Japanese automakers are working on making cars that use rechargeable batteries, solar power, or hybrid vehicles.

Every household in Japan separates their garbage.
And large, unnecessary appliances such as clothes dryers and dishwashers are virtually non-existent in Japan.

And even people who have cars in Japan use public transportation such as the trains and buses as often as possible. And when going short distances, most people walk or bicycle.
It’s possible to buy auto insurance in Japan that is only valid on weekends, because many people only use their cars on the weekend and use the trains for their work commute.

Also, last year, a few of the busiest train stations have begun using the footsteps of people walking through the train stations to generate electricity to run the station.

This sign says that the foot traffic over this special mat in Tokyo Stn generated over 3600 watts of electricity so far that day.

And then, if you go to 「江ノ島水族館」 (“Enoshima Aquarium“) south of Tokyo by 2009 December 25, you can see the 「デンキウナギのクリスマスツリー」 (“Electric Eel X-mas Tree“).
The electricity to power the lights on this Christmas tree is generated by an electric eel.

How about your country? Is there an “eco movement“?