Smallness can be an asset for automobiles. It contributes to a carbon-neutral society while satisfying diverse mobility needs, which also drives the attainment of sustainable development goals. The “Small World!” exhibition mainly focuses on distinctive Japanese small cars from the 1950s to the present, displaying 15 real cars and some 60 miniature models. These exhibits hopefully remind visitors that small cars can play a big role in defining the future of mobility.

Before WWII, Japanese automakers had already attempted to develop cars that best suited local road conditions and resource availability. The technological expertise they cultivated through this endeavor later pushed them onto the global stage, eventually turning Japan into a major automobile producer. A milestone year was 1949, when a uniquely Japanese microcar category known as the “kei car” was introduced. Next came the 1955 “Draft Guideline for Creating the People’s Car,” announced by the then Ministry of International Trade and Industry, which suggested the use of 350–500 cc engines. Encouraged by these moves, Japanese car manufacturers packed all sorts of inventions into small dimensions, producing affordable cars for the masses. As Japan’s economy boomed during the late 1960s, people finally began to attain the dream of private car ownership. In the 1980s, high-end cars (both Japanese and foreign) grew ever more luxurious, while uniquely designed small Japanese cars continued to be released in rapid succession, embodying the joy of driving and captivating die-hard fans.

Keeping this historical context in mind, we are exhibiting diverse small cars—ranging from the kei cars of the 1950s to the latest electric vehicles—to show small cars’ appeal and significance to the evolution of mobility.