Carlos Ghosn, the ex-chairman of Nissan Motor Co., who escaped Japan during his trial, revealed on Tuesday his initiation of a criminal lawsuit in Lebanon against the Japanese company. Ghosn aims to ensure Nissan's responsibility for the extensive harm inflicted. Addressing a virtual press conference conducted in Tokyo, Mr. Ghosn declared that the lawsuit revolves around a range of offenses committed by Nissan in Lebanon, although he refrained from disclosing precise particulars about the legal action. Mr. Ghosn's remarks follow a June report by Reuters news agency, which stated that Ghosn had sued Nissan and others, seeking over $1 billion in damages, including allegations of defamation. It remains unclear whether this is the same lawsuit mentioned by Mr. Ghosn or a separate legal action. Expressing his determination, Mr. Ghosn emphasized that Nissan must face the consequences of its actions against him and his family. He stated, "I just want to make sure all the crim...

Mazda is planning to launch its first electric vehicle (EV) in 2027, according to CEO Masahiro Moro. The move comes as part of Mazda's efforts to accelerate its electrification strategy and catch up with global competitors. While the company introduced an electric version of its MX-30 sport utility vehicle in 2021, it was initially launched as a hybrid and not specifically designed as an EV. Mr. Moro also revealed that Mazda intends to increase the production of EV-only models starting in 2028. In collaboration with Toyota Motor, its capital alliance partner, the company aims to expedite the development of high-quality electric control equipment. Moro expressed confidence in the rapid pace of EV adoption in China, the world's largest automobile market. He stated that Mazda plans to introduce a series of EV models in China through a joint venture, starting in 2025. In the United States, Mazda recently began manufacturing the gasoline-powered CX-50 SUV at its Alabama factory ...

Automated shinkansen bullet trains could become a reality sooner than expected. Central Japan Railway Co. and East Japan Railway Co. have set their sights on implementing driverless systems for the Tokaido Shinkansen and the Joetsu Shinkansen, respectively. While both companies are making progress in testing these systems, their goals differ due to the characteristics of the routes and the level of cost-cutting they aim to achieve. In a successful trial on May 11, a test train equipped with an automatic train operating system (ATO) departed from Hamamatsu Station in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan. The ATO allowed the train to accelerate, decelerate, re-accelerate, and ultimately stop at Shizuoka Station in response to instructions. The trial demonstrated a deviation of only 0.35 inches in the stop position and an arrival time error of just 2 seconds, prompting JR Central officials to deem it a major success.   JR Central's ATO development faces several challenges. They in...

To address the shortage of truck drivers, the government has formulated a plan to establish a designated lane for self-driving vehicles on the Shin-Tomei Expressway in Shizuoka Prefecture by 2024. Trials will be conducted before implementing distribution services using autonomous trucks, which are expected to commence no earlier than 2026. The self-driving vehicles will operate during the nighttime on the approximately 120-kilometer (75 Mile) stretch between the Surugawan-Numazu service area and the Hamamatsu service area. This section of the Shin-Tomei Expressway consists of three lanes in each direction. In March, the government finalized important aspects such as whether the lane will be exclusively dedicated to automated driving and which types of vehicles will be permitted.   Due to the shortage of drivers in the transportation industry, which is predicted to worsen in 2024 with the implementation of overtime regulations and penalties, Mitsubishi Estate Co. plans to coll...

The government has proposed a plan to create dedicated lanes exclusively for autonomous vehicles and delivery drones in Japan. This initiative aims to address labor shortages in logistics and the decreasing utilization of transportation networks in depopulated areas. The blueprint, presented during a meeting of the government's Council for the Realization of the Vision for a Digital Garden City Nation on March 31, outlines the intention to establish a designated lane along a section of the Shin-Tomei Expressway. This lane will span approximately 120 kilometers (74 Miles), stretching from the Surugawan-Numazu Service Area to the Hamamatsu Service Area, both located in Shizuoka Prefecture.   In the initial stages, self-driving trucks are anticipated to have access to this lane during a late-nighttime slot, possibly commencing in 2024. To ensure the safety of these vehicles, sensors and cameras will be installed along the shoulder of the road and in other strategic locations to ...

Nikka Whisky Distilling is planning to bolster its team of whisky experts, including blenders and technicians, to meet the growing demand for their products. Kazutomo Tamesada, the president of the company, recently revealed this plan during an interview in Tokyo. Mr. Tamesada acknowledged that the current organizational structure does not allow for business expansion. To address this issue, Nikka aims to increase its staff to ramp up the production of unblended malt whisky, which is currently in short supply, and explore additional sales opportunities in international markets.   Over the past three years until 2021, Nikka had invested approximately 6.5 billion yen ($46 million) to enhance storage facilities at its Yoichi Distillery in Yoichi, Hokkaido, and its Miyagikyo Distillery in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. However, the company is considering further investments to secure an adequate number of barrels and distillation capacity for future production expansion. Mr. Tamesada...

Major Japanese watchmakers have found a lucrative market for luxury watches, despite the rise of smartwatches. In recent years, these companies have tapped into a worldwide demand for high-end timepieces with price tags reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars. Citizen Watch, for example, recently introduced new models from its high-end line called The Citizen. While a mechanical version is priced at 880,000 yen ($6,225), a limited-edition model with only 200 units available will cost 1.045 million yen ($7,392). Citizen plans to focus on mechanical watches due to stable demand and anticipated market growth, with overseas sales starting next year.   Citizen is also actively developing other upscale lines, such as the Campanola model, which displays real-time constellations on the dial panel, and the super-thin Eco-Drive One line, featuring a movement measuring just 1 millimeter in thickness. This strategic move comes as Citizen faced challenges selling watches priced between ...