I like this one: Toyota CEO’s choice

Yesterday, in Japanese TV program, Akio Toyota, the CEO of Toyota group, was asked by the moderator.

His words impressed many Japanese who watched the program for the following reasons.

1 Positive and affirmative attitude towards himself

Tokyota ,in a sense, has been a company which represents the country of Japan. The CEO of Toyota looks somehow the prime minster of Japan. In his life, he presumably has experienced a lot of difficulties, struggles and harsh times. Nevertheless, his words did not demonstrate any negative sense. Rather, Akio gave us the impression that he enjoyed his responsibility and the given destiny as well.

2 Pride and loyalty towards Toyota

He as well as his ancestors have spent a lot of energy towards Toyota’ growth. Therefore, Akio has no sense of regret in his life and career. This is very encouraging for Japanese workers who have worked for companies under the established “hierarchies”. Some companies can’t maintain their corporate cultures. Others have unintentionally got into fraud or illegal market practices due to the harsh competition. Staffs working there may have got disappointed with corporate attitudes and they have little pride in working there. However, when the top leaders demonstrate their loyalty towards the companies, this may be very much encouraging to the staffs to look up again their companies. Leaders’ words directly develop the corporate identity and enhances the staff’s engagement.

3 Confidence to Japan

Nowadays, especially since the COVID pandemic spread, I have heard that many of Japanese commentators and economists, so called intellectual people, showed their concerns for Japan’s future. They say that our future looks very gloomy. Japan would sooner or later get less competitive under the global arena. However personally, I don’t have such a negative view. Actually, international trusts, for which global investors put capital, are shareholders of most of Japanese listed companies. Their equity positions are little for each company but global trusts have invested Japanese companies as their long term investment products. Akio’s words convinced me that Japan’s future is not gloomy, although we can’t be too optimistic about that. However, I don’t believe that the captain of Titanic says that he would choose the same destiny in the cockpit of a sinking ship.

Further queries or doubts, please email to ytomizuka@abrilsjp.com

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