Japanese regulations restricting exhaust emissions have obviously resulted in cleaner air in the capital, but it’s arguable that they have also helped rid the roads of at least some of the city’s right-wing nationalists, as many of their venom-spouting vans may not have met the new requirements.
However, as satisfying as it is to see these harbingers of hate lying silent and subdued, with one of their ill-informed ilk — albeit of the slightly watered down variety — ensconced as master of this major metropolis,
and a Prime Minister unapologetic at best about the past,
these rotting relics are seemingly set to be perpetually replaced by more modern models.
Utterly unlike their message,
which remains rooted in reverse.
S in Shanghai says
Abandoned car haikyo. That’s new.
/S
Lee says
Yeah, I can’t find anymore buildings in and around Tokyo, so I’ve had to resort to cars.
It could well be bicycles next!
andru says
Hardly seen this site in Japan though.
thejapaneseeye says
Nice shots as usual Lee – I wonder where you found them!
mfeige says
Hi,
I lived in Japan for two years during middle school and a couple of subsequent summers. It’s now been years since I’ve been and needless to say I miss it terribly. I recently found your website and it has cured some of my “homesickness.” I’m blown away by your photos. Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed them.
Thanks
Lee says
Came across them when out cycling thejapaneeeye. I didn’t realise I was that far out, but the vans were registered in Hachioji.
And thank you very much mfeige. Glad you like the pictures and that they help a little with those understandable feelings of “homesickness”.
Makito says
It’s got powered seat controls! wow… so ahead of their time. Even today, it’s still “optional” on many cars….