Japan's long-beloved moped dubbed genchari with an engine of up to 50 cc is now facing the very real threat of going extinct.

Genchari sales have been faltering following the emergence of new mobility options, such as electric power-assisted bicycles, and due to difficulties for manufacturers to adapt their genchari models to new stricter emissions regulations to be introduced in November next year.

The dire situation has even led to the largest genchari maker, Honda, considering the possibility of ending the production of its iconic Super Cub series.