Akio Toyoda Steps Down From Leading Japan’s Automobile Manufacturers Association

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Toyota‘s Chairman and Master Driver Akio Toyota retires from his position as the chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) which represents 5.5 million employees from 14 automakers. Toyoda is the only official who led Japan’s automotive industry for three two-year terms, being appointed in 2012, 2018, and 2022.

Toyoda is known for his cautious views on the mass adoption of EVs and autonomous cars, proposing a multi-pathway approach for the future of the automotive industry. Despite the criticism, Toyoda defends the slow uptake of EVs among Japanese automakers compared to rival brands, pursuing alternative routes to carbon neutrality.

Speaking about the critics, Toyoda said that the general attitude in society has changed. The outgoing chairman admitted that what pushed him forward was “the 5.5 million people who work on the front lines”, adding that “It takes time to change things”. His leading role in JAMA allowed him to promote the interests of local automakers and suppliers, for a longer period than any of its predecessors.

More: Akio Toyoda Lives In Fear That Toyota Will Go Back To Boring

Earlier this year, Akio Toyoda stepped down from his long-time role as the CEO of Toyota, although he continues to serve the company as a Chairman. The grandson of Toyota’s founder is also famous for being an avid driving enthusiast, and a leading figure behind the Toyota Gazoo Racing department

A New Chairman From The Truck Industry

Akio Toyoda will be succeded by Masanori Katayama, Isuzu Motors Chairman, who will become JAMA’s new Chairman on January 1st, 2024. Both Toyoda and Katayama agreed that the automotive sector will remain an essential industry for Japan. According to Automotive News, this is the first time that the boss of a truck company has been appointed as the leader of Japan’s automotive industry association. This comes at a time when Japan is facing a labor shortage ahead of a new law that will further restrict the work hours of professional drivers.

Katayama will be supported by Vice Chairmen including the CEOs of Nissan (Makoto Uchida), Honda (Toshihiro Mibe), and Toyota (Koji Sato), plus more leading figures from the bus, truck, and motorcycle sectors.

JAMA’s rebranding of the Tokyo Motor Show to the Japan Mobility Show and its expansion to the tech industry proved to be successful. At a time when car shows seem to be forgotten, the Tokyo exhibition had 1.11 million visitors. The next challenge for JAMA is to comply with the Japanese government’s goal of achieving net carbon zero emissions by 2050.