For the first time, Japan hosted the World Forum for Motor Museums (WFFMM), organized by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) and the Japan Council of Science Museums. Running from the 29th of October to the 1st of November 2024, this prominent biennial event managed to bring together museum directors, curators, and automotive heritage experts from around the world to discuss the future of motor museums and the unique challenges they encounter in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Established in 1989, the WFFMM has become a vital platform for those devoted to preserving automotive history. Originally initiated by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu and Michael Ware of the National Motor Museum in the UK, the forum began as an informal meeting to exchange knowledge on vehicle preservation. Over the years, it has evolved into a structured event, complete with a Secretariat to support host museums and ensure continuity.
The 2024 forum offered a diverse program, with sessions exploring topics such as the impact of Japanese cars in Europe and the US in the 1980s and 1990s, Japanese historic vehicle culture in the UK, advancements in AI and mobility, heritage initiatives of Japanese car manufacturers, and the future of museum management, among other subjects.
Representing the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA) this year were President Tiddo Bresters, FIVA Ambassador for East Asia Masaki Shimizu, and Erina Fukui, a member of FIVA’s Youth Working Group. At the forum, Erina conducted interviews with museum directors to examine methods for engaging younger audiences in automotive heritage, while also promoting the Youth Working Group’s initiatives within FIVA’s Culture and Youth Commission.
The conference was held at the Toyota Automobile Museum near Nagoya. On the final conference day buses moved the participants to Toyota's Fuji Motorsports Museum at the Fuji Speedway circuit. There on 1st November, FIVA honoured the late Kenichi Yamamoto, former Mazda Chairman and distinguished engineer, with the FIVA Heritage Hall of Fame award. It was presented to Mazda's CTO Ichiro Hirose. A pivotal figure in developing Mazda’s Wankel rotary engine, Kenichi Yamamoto later served as Mazda’s President (1984–1987) and Chairman (1987–1992). His contributions as an innovator and leader underscore the lasting influence of Japan’s automotive heritage on the global stage. Apart from Masaki Shimuzu and Tiddo Bresters, also member of the jury Shiro Nakamura, former Nissan designer, and Mazda's CTO Ichiro Hirose addressed the audience.
At the conference's farewell dinner, Toyota's President & CEO, Akio Toyoda, delivered a heartfelt speech. In his address, He recounted how a visit to the Fuji Speedway at the age of six sparked a love for cars forever, and he highlighted that a shared passion brings people together.
On 2nd November a big number of classic cars from different Japanese brands gathered for the Fuji Fan Concours. On that occasion a special FIVA award, prepared by FIVA's ANF in Japan CCCJ, was presented to the proud owner of a 1980 Honda Accord in pristine, original, unrestored condition – a car that has remained with a single family since it was first purchased.
