On January 7 (JST), the world’s largest technology trade show, CES 2025, was held in Las Vegas. Chairman Akio Toyoda gave a press conference to announce the completion of construction in the Phase 1 area of Woven City (Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture) and the start of full-scale demonstration trials this fall.

It was at CES 2020 that the idea of Woven City was announced for the first time. Five years have passed, and the “test course for mobility” that Chairman Toyoda spoke of where residents, visitors, and companies will come together to build the future has become a reality.

Two thousand people will eventually live in the living laboratory. In October 2024, Toyota Times News went to see it ahead of CES 2025, as it was nearing completion.

See what it will be like living with autonomous cars and robots, trials of new logistics systems, and other glimpses of the future that can only be seen here.

The site of Woven City was once the Toyota Motor East Japan’s Higashi-Fuji Plant (closed in December 2020). In its long history of 53 years from the plant completion in 1967 until it closed, it produced the Century, JPN Taxis, and many other cars.

After the decision to close the plant was made, some of the employees were asked to transfer to a plant in the Tohoku area.

Many were anxious about making cars in a new location, so then-President Toyoda created an opportunity to talk directly with the employees who had long supported the Higashi-Fuji genba. At that time, the following question was raised by an employee.

“Although I want to continue making cars at the Tohoku plant, some of my colleagues won’t be able to make the move when considering their family and may even have to resign. When I think about those people, I honestly can’t go to Tohoku with joy in my heart. I’d like to hear your plans, as Toyota, for the future of the Higashi-Fuji Plant.”

With the plant closure looming, the employee’s voice wavered as he asked the question to then-President Toyoda who responded, “I am thinking of transforming this place into a Connected City, a large-scale demonstration experiment for autonomous driving among other things, a place that can contribute to the future of automobiles for the next 50 years.”

At that time, the concept of Woven City was not yet officially decided at the company – it was nothing more than a personal idea of then-President Toyoda. Even so, he indicated his determination to connect the plant with 53 years of carmaking history to the future.

If we have the will, we can make it happen. Chairman Toyoda spoke passionately and devoted extraordinary efforts to make Woven City a reality. Toyota Times will continue following this story.

In late February, we will begin profiling five companies that will participate in the demonstration as “inventors” – Daikin, DyDo Drinco, Nissin Food Products, UCC Japan, and Zoshinkai Holdings. Be sure to check back in with us for updates on Woven City!