The government plans to promote a new category of "microcompact" vehicles, the first new category of vehicle to be established under the Road Transport Vehicle Law since 1963. These new cars will likely appeal to elderly people and others who will use them for shopping or visiting places near their homes. Most of them will be electric and much more environmentally friendly than current automobiles.
Larger than "Category 1" motorcycles that have an engine displacement of 50 cc or less, but smaller than light vehicles with 660 cc engines that can carry four people, these single- or twin-seater cars will be well suited to the narrow streets of Japan's urban neighborhoods. The vehicles will also be useful in rural areas where declining populations have driven bus services out of business.
Easy to drive and park, and built with safety in mind, microcompact cars will be good for transporting smaller items. With so many positive points, one wonders why the government took so long to change the rules and create this new category. It should have acted sooner.