I am honored to have been appointed Chairman of the Automobile Business & Culture Association of Japan (ABAJ) at the annual general meeting and board of directors meeting held on June 10, 2025.

The association was established in June 1946, soon after the end of World War II, with the aim of reviving our country’s automobile industry and society. Upon assuming my position as chairman, I returned to the association’s founding charter, which begins with the following words: “It is evident that automobiles are essential for sustaining people’s way of life and enriching the nation’s culture. In Japan, the restoration and development of automobiles is critical for providing a means of travel and transporting necessities.”

From the country’s postwar recovery, through the ensuing period of rapid economic growth, and up to the present, automobiles have been integral to the flow of people and goods, contributing greatly to the improvement of lifestyles and livelihoods.

When it comes to “enriching the nation’s culture,” however, I feel that automobiles can still do a lot more.

See All Articles