Tokyo: The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association said Monday 1,112,000 people visited the Japan Mobility Show held from Oct. 26 to Sunday.

Although the one-million-visitor target was achieved, the figure failed to reach 1.3 million marked for the Tokyo Motor Show in 2019.

JAMA, the main organizer, said comparisons were difficult, since there were two event locations for the motor show and only one for the mobility show.

The biennial event was not held in 2021 due to the pandemic.

This time, the association broadened the event theme to mobility under the new name, inviting firms with any implications with means of transportation.

As a result, around 500 companies took part, more than double the 2019 figure.

On the final day of the 11-day exhibition, JAMA Chairman Akio Toyoda hailed participation by a number of startups.

“By putting the automobile industry at the core, we can give many people opportunities to match up with others,” Toyoda said.

The event included a section dedicated to introducing technologies offered by startups and hosting partnership talks, spurring 430 new business negotiations.

“I hope the next JAMA chairman will consider holding an event (for supporting startups) once a year,” Toyoda said.