Woven City has officially launched. With preparations finally complete, Toyota's city-sized test course is ready to pursue its mission of "well-being for all."
“Woven City is now officially launched!”
The voice of Chairman Akio Toyoda, Woven’s “Master Weaver,” rang out through the streets.
Eight years have passed since Akio Toyoda unveiled his vision for a “prototype city” following the announcement of the closure of the Toyota Higashi-Fuji Plant. Now, carrying forward the plant’s history and spirit — and supported by partners beyond the automotive industry — the city-sized test-course is up and running.
*Please also see our accompanying article, “The Homecoming—Woven City Welcomes Back 125 Workers from the Higashi-Fuji Plant.”
On September 25, around 90 members of the media gathered at the test course for mobility. The Inventors who will run the city’s demonstration trials and the Weavers (residents and visitors) who will lead their daily lives here joined the official launch event.
In front of this large crowd, Daisuke Toyoda, Senior Vice President (SVP) of Woven by Toyota (WbyT) and the project’s leader, took the stage. He expressed gratitude for all those who have contributed to the city, and his commitment to the challenge it represents.
Start the Momentum
SVP Toyoda
First of all, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everyone who has answered the call and come together to embrace this unprecedented challenge called Woven City. Thank you.
To some, it may seem as though this project has gone completely smoothly.
But to be honest — it hasn’t.
The idea of Woven City actually began at an employee meeting at Toyota Motor East Japan.
Speaking purely from his personal conviction, and before any formal company approval, then-President Toyoda said at that meeting,"Let’s build a prototype city for the future.”
If it hadn’t been for those words, this project, which continues to excite and challenge us in so many ways, would never have come to life.
And, without knowing what the “right” answers were, we have kept exploring the unknown, and taken one step at a time to bring us to this day.
Along the way, we faced countless obstacles.
There were many times when I myself wondered, “Can we really do this?”
Every time, what gave me strength were my colleagues who believed in doing something “For others” and “Weaving the Future”, and who dared to take the first step.
Today’s moment is the result of the collective courage of the Weavers (residents and visitors), the Inventors, and all our partners who are shaping the future together with us.
One of Woven by Toyota’s values is “Start the Momentum.”
Even when the goal was unclear, even when the answers were unknown, everyone raised their hand and said, “Let’s start by trying.” And together, we set out on this journey.
For every step taken by every person, I am truly grateful.
Kakezan for all
SVP Toyoda
And from here, what Woven City needs is everyone’s “kakezan,” (invention through multiplication).
Weaving together different fields and different cultures gives rise to new ideas and value. This in turn sparks more value, expanding outward like a spiral. This is “kakezan.”
We hope that Woven City becomes a place that continues to create kakezan opportunities. And we hope we can be the momentum driving it.
Woven City is a place that connects past to the present, and present to future. It is a city that will constantly evolve across generations as people’s hearts and hopes connect.
Today is not the finish line, but just a new beginning.
As a community weaving the future for the benefit of others, let’s make “kakezan” happen — here, together.
Once again, I want to express my appreciation for everyone who took that first step, and all those who have supported us so far.
Thank you so much!
Finally, we have one more important phrase in this city:
Health comes first!
Your health and ours are the foundation of Woven City.
Without health, there can’t be any smiles. And without smiles, we can’t weave a bright and happy future.
Let’s stay healthy and weave a brighter future together.
Thank you!
Woven City features a reproduction of the Toyoda wooden hand loom originally created in 1890.
It was invented by Toyota Group founder Sakichi Toyoda to make life easier for his mother, who would toil into the night weaving cloth.
As he ran up against “countless obstacles,” what sustained and inspired SVP Toyoda was this philosophy—which stems from the very origins of Toyota, and therefore WbyT—of working for the benefit of others.
On the day of the launch, the cohort of Inventors who have embraced this sentiment and will strive to weave the future in Woven City welcomed a new addition, singer-songwriter Naoto Inti Raymi, bringing the total to 20*.
*In addition to Naoto Inti Raymi, the list currently consists of Daikin Industries, DyDo DRINCO, Nissin Food Products, UCC Japan, Zoshinkai Holdings, Interstellar Technologies, Kyoritsu Seiyaku, and 12 Toyota Group companies.
The city’s accelerator program, “Toyota Woven City Challenge―Hack the Mobility,” has also kicked off, seeking submissions from aspiring Inventors until October 14. WbyT is looking for innovators who can make use of everything the city has to offer.