declan_murphy@hotmail.com wrote:
> Michael Cash wrote:
> > On 18 Dec 2006 18:41:04 -0800, declan_murphy@hotmail.com brought down
> > from the Mount tablets inscribed:
> >
> > >Coming out of the airport freight terminal I saw my first hybrid truck
> > >today, a Toyota "Dyna" (3 ton job?). I thought at first that it might
> > >have been a promotion vehicle for Toyota but it turned out to be part
> > >of Panasonic's logistics network.
> > >
> > >In Aichi at least the hybrid passenger vehicles are pretty much
> > >everywhere now, with a lot more minivans (mostly Estima) and RV types
> > >than the subcompact Prius and the Lexus models. I wonder how long it
> > >will be before Hino releases a hybrid tractor-trailer or large bus.

> > I'm still waiting to see data on how much cleaner the air is in Tokyo
> > after they implemented the diesel exhaust restrictions a few years
> > ago. Not holding my breath, though.

> No data, but air quality seems to be a bit better down here than
> before. On winter days I can usually see the snowcaps on the Suzuka
> range (Mie Pref) from Okazaki (eastern Aichi). Thats about 55 km due
> west. I used to be able to see a big brown fart sitting over Nagoya in
> between, but lately I can make out the towers at JR Nagoya. It would
> probably be better if the number of cars wasn't increasing every year.

I was in Tokyo last summer for the first time ('cept for the airport
shuttle) in about 15 years. The air did seem cleaner.

Mike