Toyota Motor : Chairman Toyoda Takes a Back Seat for the First Time in 15 Years

I'm Akio Toyoda. Allow me to answer your question.

It's been 15 years since the chairperson last called on me-I forgot how nerve-wracking it is.

Thank you greatly for continuing to choose Toyota cars over so many years. And thank you also for taking an interest in Woven City.

Although I was just introduced as one of the project's founding members, the idea for Woven City, in fact, originated from a question from an employee at the former Kanto Auto Works (now Toyota Motor East Japan).

When we made the decision to close the Kanto Auto Higashi-Fuji Plant, many of the employees were concerned about what would become of the facility.

I visited the site, and while speaking in front of the entire plant staff, the words just slipped out: "I want to turn this into a test course for the future."

I believe that's where the idea for Woven City began. Over the six years since, countless people have contributed to making it a reality.

The first phase of construction will be completed next year. However, Woven City is not being built on vacant land but upon half a century of history, during which our colleagues worked passionately for the benefit of the community and the auto industry.

In that sense, this is the site of carmakers' dreams. I hope that Woven City will be a place where those who come after us can think, deliberate, and fail together as they keep striving to create the future.

And being a carmaker down to my bones, I hope the city will give birth to new forms of mobility that can astonish a car guy like me.

The Woven City project is being led by young people. We are making this investment in the future certainly not because we know the right answers, but in the belief that our actions today will change how the future looks.

I also believe that such future investments are made possible only through the support provided by you, our shareholders. Next year, as the city becomes home to inventors and other residents, I hope Woven City will continue to receive your interest and endorsement.

At Toyota, we want to show that the future can be created right here in Japan. As our shareholders, I would like to ask for your ongoing support, understanding, and encouragement.