What will you leave for the next generation? What are cars to you? How do you want your life to end? What is love?
Have I changed in a year?
Go ahead. Stream it live!
Today on Toyota Times News: Aki-chan's 2nd guest lecture at FC Imabari High School. Aki-chan has just come in. He'll hold a class with Oka-chan's students. What will they ask, and how will he answer?
Did you think I'd show up dressed like this? Who thought so? No one.
Do you know about Toyota Motor Corporation? Toyota cars are used in over 200 countries and regions, and about 10 million people buy a Toyota car each year. That's the scale of Toyota's operations. Cars are made from about 30,000 parts. Toyota buys 75% of those 30,000 parts from suppliers and assembles them. It takes about 18 hours to build a car, starting with pressing steel plates on the conveyor. About 700 people assemble each car. It can't be made alone. So, about 5.5 million people work in Japan's auto industry. I hope that gives you an idea of the scale of Toyota and what we do.
When faced with adversity, what must a leader never lose? I think it's trust. Trust alone. Whatever the problem is, don't run away, don't cheat, and don't lie. Those are my three rules. A leader mustn't lose people's trust, even if they don't agree with you.
How do you keep trying despite criticism? I think that's what it means to continue living. Even when criticized, no matter what happens, live another day. Still living, that's what matters. If you keep living, you'll make companions. If you keep living, your track record will remain. Even if you don't succeed, your experiences stay with you. Those experiences will help you in the future, so keep living.
How do I recover from a setback? Sleep on it. Your mind might continue to worry, but just sleep. The next morning, think of your friends and colleagues. I've kept living because my friends still haven't left my side. Thing is, reality is harsh. But what you really should have is friends. I've been saved by my friends many times.
You can call me Aki-chan, just like last time. I was named Aki-chan before, so today I wore a cap with an A on it.
I want to ask about Nagoya Grampus.
A question about Grampus?
About the authority to run a club...
That's a good question. What am I to Grampus? I'm nothing at all. I think leadership is nothing without Genchi Genbutsu. If I wanted influence over Grampus, it would depend on how often I visit the stadium. Watching the games online or elsewhere isn't enough. When giving feedback, I catch them in the act and talk about what just happened. Because of that, I'm staying out of Grampus for now.
Do you ever feel you've worked hard enough and want to stop? How have you been able to keep working so hard?
I often think I've done enough and want to quit. But when I feel needed, I feel like I can keep going. It's great to still be needed; it won't last forever.
I'm Hijiri Okazawa, 2nd year.
I wore my uniform because I heard you were coming today.
Sorry for being dressed like this.
Toyota's philosophy is about creating mobility for all. Beyond mobility, what value do you create for people and society?
You've studied Toyota's vision well. We created the Toyota Philosophy during the Olympics and Paralympics. One time, 'Start Your Impossible' was used under a visual of me. If you put an apostrophe between the I and M in 'impossible,' it becomes 'I'm possible.' This really resonated with me. Impossible things can become possible through personal will. I think that's the idea behind that vision.
I'm So-chan, 2nd year. Thank you for coming.
Did you ask anything last year?
Have I changed in a year?
Today, keywords like 'being alive' came up several times. 'You're still alive so keep trying.' What does being alive mean to you, and how do you recover when you lose that sense?
How do I keep living? Is that it?
It's impossible to keep living all by yourself. Some people do live alone. But most societies value helping and supporting one another over living alone. My ideal relationship is one where we can say 'thank you' to each other. 'Thank you' has magical power. Say it with a smile, and your world changes. Give it a try.
When I was little, I wanted to be a racer. What can I do now to become a racer?
I also wanted to be a racer from a young age. But no one around me supported me. They all thought I was being stupid. So, that dream didn't come true until after I turned 50. If you want something, you just have to hold on to that ambition. I faced a ton of opposition, but I finally started training after turning 50 and eventually became a Master Driver. Having that skill as a Master Driver let me run this company not just as an executive, but as a car-loving guy. That helped me enormously. So, I really want you to hold on to what you want to do and what you're interested in, no matter how much the times change.
How do you make a decision when there is no right answer? What can we do to develop decision-making skills?
How do you write 'decision' in Kanji?
'Ketsu' (decide) and 'dan' (cut loose).
'Dan' can also mean 'to cut loose,' right? So, I think of decision-making as 'resolve to cut loose.' Deciding to do something is 'resolving.' When I became president, most of my decisions were actually about cutting things loose. No one is ever happy about decisions that involve discontinuing projects, plants, jobs, or cars that many people have been involved with. I have a rule in those situations: always picture the person most affected. If you never forget that feeling, I believe you can always make a comeback. By the time you do, the era will be different, and I'll have more experience. So the decision I make then will be different.
I'm sure you've gone through so many experiences and hardships. What do you want to leave for the next generation? What kind of baton do you want to pass on?
I want to leave a footprint in the sand that others can follow, in other words, the way I lived. I used to rebel against my elders. I couldn't understand what they were saying. But in the end, I think they were right. I just wasn't ready to accept it, and I don't hide that. But the important thing is to always keep living in a way that's true to yourself.
I'm a car lover. What are cars to you?
To me, cars are my life, my partner, and my other self. There are many answers, but something like that.
From the beginning, you've spoken about continuing to live, but all things that are alive will die at some point. I'd like to ask how you'd like to face the end.
Wow, that's deep. I don't know the answer. I once decided when I wanted to go. My grandfather died at 57. My great-grandfather at 63. My father passed away in his 90s, so the 70s and 80s are still available. So, I'll probably pass away within the next 20 years. I want to stay active and healthy right up until the very end. And then just go out, just like that. That would be the best way. It's the same with cars. You don't know how long you'll use it. If the car just dies, that's OK. But if it starts acting up or suddenly stops, that's a problem. That's why I think humans should go suddenly too. I still want to keep living, so please let me stay a little longer. Just a little bit more.
In 2012, Toyota faced major recall issues. When facing such a major obstacle, what is essential for both a company and its leader?
The leader must stand at the forefront and not run away, cover up, or lie. They have to protect the people on the ground. That's what mattered during the recalls. When I stepped up during that crisis, my own standard became clear. If I didn't know something, I said so. But as the one in charge, I stuck to my principles and explained everything. Standing at the front while being criticized is hard. But if someone has to do it, it should be the leader.
Is there a motto or a guiding principle you've valued throughout your life?
There are a few. Like 'making ever-better cars,' 'for someone other than yourself,' 'honor your parents,' and 'for your country.' To sum up, it's being able to say 'thank you' to each other. Not very exciting, right?
No, I think those are wonderful words. Thank you.
What were the most enjoyable and the most challenging moments in your life?
I was happiest when I was truly laughing, though I can't remember why. But I do remember times when I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. I just don't remember why. I think those were my happiest times. The hardest moments were when I wasn't trusted, especially when I told the truth, but others said otherwise and many believed them.
I used to live in Guangzhou, China, and I visited a Toyota factory there. I really felt that everyone loved Toyota, but what is love?
That's deep. It's just love. You've never really loved someone, have you? I don't think so. But I think you're loved by a lot of people. I think you are loved by so many people: your family, friends, and teachers. Right now, you have to accept their love, whether you understand it or not. One day, the time will come when you can return that love to someone. You'll return it when the time comes. When that happens, think about what love is again. Then, you'll understand.
Thank you, Akio-san. You don't often get to hear him speak so frankly. I hope you'll reflect on the life he's led and his perspective.
Thank you so much for showing so much interest and asking so many questions.
Mr. Ninomiya. Aren't you glad you wore your GR top? Please put the helmet on. You'll be in the passenger seat. How do you feel?
I'm overwhelmed. I can't wait.
Let's hear how you feel once you've ridden.
It's quite intense. Turning so tight is an amazing technique.
