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Message from Chairman
Message from the Chairman
Let me begin by expressing my gratitude for the honor of being appointed the new chairman of the Toyota Foundation.
As you know, the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake has brought in its wake tremendous sorrow, but there has also been an outpouring of support for the relief effort from people in a variety of different fields. In the disaster areas, people are doing their best to live their lives in a situation where so many things have been lost, and even smiling at times amid hardship.
We must not only pay our respect to these people but also draw on whatever knowledge and skills we have to provide them with assistance. I also believe that the Toyota Foundation—after fully taking into consideration the thoughts and feelings of the disaster victims—should actively engage in the relief effort as a priority task, from a medium- to long-term perspective.
Today the socioeconomic situation encompassing both Japan and the entire world is difficult and rapidly changing. This presents us with an unprecedentedly severe situation every day, bringing about a sense of apprehension among us all.
The Toyota Foundation was established in 1974 in order to earnestly engage in the effort to create a more affluent society and bring about greater human happiness. It seems no exaggeration to say that the challenging situation we now face raises the question of exactly what “contributing to society” means. Given this, I believe we must reacquaint ourselves with the original role of the Toyota Foundation and give serious thought to what needs to be done, without resting on the laurels of past achievements.
Moreover, we will need to interact even more closely with society in seeking to help weave a social fabric full of happy individuals who are in tune with each other. Based on this outlook, I would like us to move forward with a sense of courage and passion to do whatever we can to lead the way to a better future.
I hope to benefit even more from everyone’s understanding and cooperation in the course of undertaking this challenge.
June 28, 2011
Chairman Hiroshi Okuda
Toyota Foundation (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation)
