AUTOMOBILE COUNCIL 2026

The city of Kumamoto has developed guidelines for safe vehicle habitation during disasters. Authorities are also introducing an online system to track evacuees, aiming to prevent deaths associated with prolonged stays in vehicles.

A Toyota Hiace owner visited the Japan Camping Car Show 2026 to gather ideas for converting a van into a camper. At the event, which featured a record 452 motorhomes, he examined practical solutions for living space layout, hidden storage systems, and zone separation.

Japanese camper manufacturer Toy Factory will exhibit two motorhomes from the Italian brand Laika at the Automobile Council 2026 show in Makuhari Messe from April 10 to 12, 2026. The approximately 7-meter long ECOVIP Titanio L 3019 model, accommodating 4 passengers and 5 sleepers, will have its Japanese premiere and is a one-off unit for the country. The flagship KREOS L 5009 motorhome, approximately 8 meters long, will also be shown as the last available unit of this model in Japan.

The developers of Outbound have released a fourth video focusing on camper van customization. The game is scheduled for release on April 23, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and PC. The video showcases resource gathering, a build mode for placing objects inside the van, and a weight limit system.

A paid auto campground will open in April 2026 in Sengaku Park, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. The facility, located on the floodplain of the Yahagi River, will operate on a reservation-only basis with staff supervision. The overnight fee is set at 4,000 yen per 100 m² site plus 500 yen per person.

Toy Factory will exhibit two rare LAIKA motorhomes at the AUTOMOBILE COUNCIL 2026 exhibition at Makuhari Messe from April 10-12. The display includes the exclusive 7-meter ECOVIP Titanio L 3019 model and the last available flagship KREOS L 5009 in Japan, which is 8 meters long, both accommodating 4 passengers and 5 sleeping berths.