President's Final Day: Reflecting on the Journey from the Start
Toyota's Outgoing President Akio Toyoda Bids Farewell with a Vision for the Future
On his last day as Toyota's President, Akio Toyoda made a poignant visit to the Kabahouse, a place that holds special significance for him. The visit, on March 31, 2023, marked the end of a 14-year tenure during which Toyoda was known as the "most genba-oriented president."
At the Kabahouse, Toyota's headquarters of its workers' union, Toyoda reflected on his term. He expressed deep regrets and made startling declarations about the company's future. Toyoda openly admitted that some decisions in the past may not have fully aligned with Toyota's core values, expressing regret over any compromises made in pursuit of rapid growth or market share.
In a moving moment, Toyoda revealed that there is one person whose praise he sought during his term as president. He urged Toyota's next generation of leaders to focus on long-term value rather than short-term gains, and to prioritize environmental responsibility as the auto industry undergoes a transformational shift toward electrification and mobility solutions.
Toyoda called for Toyota to continue evolving while preserving its "Monozukuri" spirit—the craftsmanship and dedication to manufacturing excellence that define the brand. He urged the company to lead the way in sustainable innovation, ensuring that Toyota remains at the forefront of the industry.
The emotions and sentiments expressed during the visit to Kabahouse were covered exclusively by Toyota Times. The visit was one of the key moments in the special day that marked the end of Akio Toyoda's term as president of Toyota. It was one of the three special places Akio Toyoda visited on his final day, each holding personal and professional significance for him.
Toyoda, who also called himself the "Rearguard President," spent his last day surrounded by the places that shaped his career and his life. As he steps down, he leaves behind a legacy of dedication to quality, innovation, and sustainability, and a challenge for Toyota's future leaders to drive meaningful, responsible progress.
After expressing regret for past decisions and looking towards the future, Toyota's outgoing President Akio Toyoda emphasized the importance of long-term value and environmental responsibility in his post-presidency address. Moving forward, he envisioned Toyota continuing to prioritize sustainable innovation in its lifestyle, home-and-garden, education-and-self-development, and personal-growth initiatives, preserving the "Monozukuri" spirit that defines the brand.
