"I wanted cars to be a part of this memorable occasion." What message did President Koji Sato have for Toyota's newest recruits?
Thoughts from day one
Following the ceremony, President Sato mingled with the new recruits in the display area, his easy-going manner inviting countless requests for commemorative photos.
Seeing a new employee looking nervous when we asked what he wanted to say to the president, Sato smiled and said, “That’s a tough question—I’m nervous too. We’ll get through it together.”
The newcomers also shared their personal aspirations as they prepared to start their careers at Toyota.
“I came here from Shizuoka to follow my passion for monozukuri, which was sparked by a visit to the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology in elementary school.”
“Like the latest Crown, I’m not going to be afraid of change as I go out into the world!”
“I want to eliminate car accidents!”
“My granddad cherished his Crown for many years. I thought it would be incredible to make a car that people treasure so much, and I wanted to be part of it.”
“I want to give back to the Toyota Memorial Hospital, where I’ve been cared for since I was little!”
“No such thing as failure”
As the new employees excitedly explored the displays, Oyaji Mitsuru Kawai looked on with a smile. Having been in their position some 62 years earlier, what message did he have for this latest cohort?
Oyaji Kawai
In my mind, there is no such thing as failure. When you venture into the unknown, it’s only natural that some things will not be possible. This is not “failing,” but rather discovering problems. Then it's a matter of trying again to find a solution. The important thing is to keep trying.
When you’re working completely within the scope of what you can foresee, there is no element of challenge. The challenge lies in going beyond those boundaries. I want our young members to continue taking on new challenges.
We look forward to seeing the paths that these 2,919 new employees will take, and how they change the future of cars.