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Messages from Keidanren Executives and Contributed articles to Keidanren Journals May, 2026 Industrial Collaboration and New Value Creation in an Era of Diversification

Koji SATO Vice Chair, Keidanren
Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors (Representative Director), Toyota Motor Corporation

In recent years, the term "diversification" has become widespread in society. This is not merely a concept or slogan but a reflection of the fact that people's values and needs are becoming increasingly varied. At the same time, the way technology responds to these needs is also changing significantly. New Value is created not by simply evolving a single technology along a linear path, but by linking multiple fundamental technologies and optimizing them as a whole.

The automotive industry is pursuing diverse mobility options that are aligned with the future of energy. However, the advancement of vehicle technology alone will not enable the widespread adoption of electric and hydrogen vehicles. It is essential to establish a robust supply chain, including charging and refueling infrastructure, that can reliably provide affordable electricity and hydrogen.

Furthermore, to meet the diverse mobility needs of the elderly, rural residents, and long-distance freight transport, the development of new technologies, such as autonomous driving, is advancing steadily. However, without a comprehensive approach that covers not only vehicle technology but also communications, data infrastructure, mapping, legal systems, and urban planning, widespread adoption of such technology will not be achieved. Only by integrating related industries such as mobility, infrastructure, energy, and digital can New Value be created and a sustainable mobility society be realized.

What is crucial is that we share a clear sense of purpose and a vision of the society we want to build. A shared narrative will foster collaboration across industries and accelerate agile efforts by leveraging their respective strengths. Diversity becomes a source of strength, which will enhance Japan's overall industrial competitiveness.

We must define a vision that transcends industrial boundaries, translate it into concrete actions, and carry it through to implementation. This is the key to strengthening Japan's competitiveness. Let us harness our collective strengths and accelerate our journey to create New Value.

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