Akio Toyoda Emotionally Reflects on 11-Year Tenure, Faced with Mixed Feelings of Sorrow and Appreciation
At the Toyota 116th Ordinary General Shareholders Meeting, held amidst the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 crisis, President Akio Toyoda delivered an emotional speech that emphasized Toyota's commitment to its founding philosophy and the future of the automotive industry[1][2].
Toyoda spoke about the resilience of Toyota, expressing that even in the midst of the pandemic, the company is strong enough to think about the well-being of the automotive industry, the Japanese economy, the Earth itself, and future generations of children[1].
The speech was a reflection of Toyota's history, as Toyoda reminisced about his early days as president. He recalled the struggles he faced during his battles, expressing gratitude to the shareholders who have supported him and the employees and their families who have walked together with him[1].
The journey was not always easy. Toyota faced significant challenges, such as the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, which caused production to halt and operations to be difficult during Akio's second shareholder meeting as chair[2]. Despite these setbacks, Toyota was able to return to being a company that could pay taxes in 2014[2].
Toyoda also spoke about the hard work of Toyota's partners, crediting them for the successful holding of the financial results announcement and shareholder meeting[1]. The financial results disclosed on the fiscal year's financial statement reflect the hard work of Toyota's 370,000 employees and their families[1].
The speech was not without moments of emotion. Akio shed tears during the meeting, expressing gratitude to the shareholders, employees, and their families[1][2]. He also expressed tears at a Board of Directors' Meeting, showing his deep appreciation for those who have supported him[2].
Despite the hardships, Akio believes Toyota has grown stronger in response to the COVID-19 crisis. He highlighted Toyota's efforts to produce face shields during the pandemic, prioritizing human life and safety[2].
Looking forward, Toyoda called for a re-evaluation of Toyota, emphasizing the need to adapt courageously to the automotive industry's transformative era—balancing heritage with innovation under his guidance as chairman[1][2]. He spoke on behalf of the founding family, reflecting on Toyota's legacy and the company's responsibility to innovate while preserving its core values[1].
Toyoda's message addressed shareholders' concerns about issues affecting Toyota and the broader auto industry, including certification problems and delivery delays. He highlighted Toyota's focus on reforming the workplace culture ("genba culture") and adapting to new technologies such as vehicle intelligence and electrification[1].
Furthermore, Toyoda shared his leadership vision and impressions, including reference to strategic moves like the merger between Mitsubishi Fuso and Hino, illustrating his dedication to nurturing collaborations and fostering pride in Japanese automotive culture[1].
In sum, the speech was a heartfelt reaffirmation of Toyota's principles and a call to adapt courageously to the automotive industry's transformative era—balancing heritage with innovation under Toyoda's guidance as chairman[1][2].
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