The Tokyo Motor Show was held at the Tokyo International Trade Center in Harumi, Tokyo, for about 30 years from the 6th show in 1959 through the 27th show in 1987. Over the next 20 years from the 28th show in 1989 through the 41st show in 2009, 14 shows were held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba city, welcoming a total of 17 million visitors during the time and enhancing its position as an international motor show. Now for its next leap forward, the venue will be transferred to Tokyo Big Sight to mark its new start as a "reborn" Tokyo Motor Show.

The reborn 42nd Tokyo Motor Show will be a comprehensive one that includes passenger cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, vehicle bodies, parts, machinery and tools. With the participation of major brands from Japan and abroad, this international motor show will serve as a hub to send out information about the latest next-generation safety and environment technologies from the automobile industry. At the same time, it will offer visitors the opportunity to rediscover the appeal, joy, and fun of cars and motorcycles by viewing, touching, and riding the actual latest models.

New features of the show currently under consideration include the showcasing of proposals for the ideal future society surrounding cars as well as proposals for new automobile lifestyles and culture. Specifically, there will be a Carrozzeria exhibit as well as participants from the fields of advanced ICT (information and communication technology), urban systems and environment/energy for a low-carbon society that is led globally by Japan.