Musings of Morizo | Tokowaka's Reflections
The Ise Jingu Shrine, nestled in Mie Prefecture, Japan, is a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage. For over a thousand years, the shrine's buildings have been rebuilt every 20 years as part of the Shinto belief and as a means of passing building techniques from one generation to the next. This practice, known as the Shikinen Sengu, is a symbol of impermanence and renewal, a concept deeply ingrained in Shinto philosophy.
Interestingly, the automotive giant, Toyota, seems to have taken inspiration from this age-old tradition. The company, under the leadership of President Akio Toyoda, commonly known as Morizo, has been striving to transition from an automobile company to a mobility company. This transformation is not a sudden shift but a gradual evolution, much like the rebuilding process at the Ise Jingu Shrine.
Toyota's approach to progress is rooted in the belief in the accumulation of daily efforts leading to major change over time. This philosophy is reminiscent of the word "Tokowaka," which signifies the need for change and the things that last are the things that are always young. Morizo, in his 2019 Kakizome (New Year calligraphy), chose the word "Tokowaka," emphasising its importance for Toyota's progress.
The spirit of Tokowaka is also linked to the Toyota Production System, a management philosophy pioneered by Taiichi Ohno. Ohno applied the principle of "Tokowaka" to the Toyota Production System, fostering a culture of constant evolution and improvement.
Toyota's ambitions extend beyond just being a mobility company. The company aims to provide unprecedented freedom of movement and joy through technological innovations in the areas of connectedness, autonomy, sharing, and electrification (CASE). This vision for the future underscores Toyota's commitment to staying young and adaptable, embodying the spirit of Tokowaka.
However, Toyota, being a large company, does not expect changes to occur suddenly. The automotive industry is currently undergoing a "once-in-a-century" period of transformation, and Toyota is navigating this change with a steady hand, drawing inspiration from the Ise Jingu Shrine's enduring tradition of renewal.
The Uji Bridge, another part of the Ise Jingu Shrine complex, stands as a symbol of this enduring tradition. Just like the shrine and the bridge, Toyota seeks to stand the test of time, adapting and evolving while maintaining its core values.
