confirmed:

not for remote control

not for radio range expand

Probably for their toll system or something. Get all sorts of whizzy things in imports :D

It's a microphone so that Japanese people  can listen in a try and learn english or Kiwi.

Unsure if this vehicle has a screen in it, but it's potentially a device which overrides the video-in-motion restrictions - I have seen this on imported Leafs.

This is common on JDM cars, watching TV while driving is very popular in Japan.

Some sort of air ionizer/purifier??

JoshWright:

 

Unsure if this vehicle has a screen in it, but it's potentially a device which overrides the video-in-motion restrictions - I have seen this on imported Leafs.

 

This is common on JDM cars, watching TV while driving is very popular in Japan.

 

Thank you Josh,

Yes the car has a screen in it, and highly likely it's a video-in-motion adapter. I will try to play a video while driving to test this out.  cheers.

mclean:

 

Some sort of air ionizer/purifier??

 

Thank you Mclean,

probably not, it's a very small device.

Journeyman: What happens when you press it?

Thanks Journeyman,  it looks like a button, but it's not a real button, so can't press on it, it's just a plastic small black box with a red light on it.

Have you checked to see if there is a sign on the back of the car that says 'I just pressed the red light thingy' 😀

Or maybe....

JoshWright:

 

This is common on JDM cars, watching TV while driving is very popular in Japan.

 

Guess that explains their lower road fatality rate than NZ. Watching TV distracts drivers from using tinder and instagram and other cellular driving aids.

xpd:

 

Probably for their toll system or something. Get all sorts of whizzy things in imports :D

 

 

 

I picked up a cheap runabout yesterday, it had a toll swiper, a lady blurts out when you start the car, they disconnected it. Tolls or rego? 

I also have one of these in a new vehicle - not a button but has a red light. Keen to get to the bottom of it, may have to trace the wiring if I get a chance.

I was hoping it was an in-motion remover but it doesn't seem to be.

I have all the toll gear (ETC) as well, which I have muted.