Toyota's fifty-year commitment to eradicating road accidents
In the picturesque town of Chino City, Nagano Prefecture, lies Shoko-ji Temple, a sanctuary dedicated to the safety of all road users. Built in 1970, during Japan's economic growth and a time of increasing traffic accidents, the temple was a joint initiative by Toyota Motor Sales Co., Ltd. and its dealerships.
Fast forward five decades, and the temple continues to serve as a symbol of Toyota's unwavering commitment to road safety. Akio Toyoda, the president of Toyota Motor Corporation, has visited the temple regularly since becoming president, including a recent visit during the 50th Anniversary Summer Festival, held amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each year, Japan holds nationwide campaigns to promote traffic safety, with this year's campaign taking place from September 21 to 30. The last day of the month, September 30, is set apart as a day where the country hopes to pass with zero traffic fatalities.
The Tateshina Meeting, launched last year to coincide with the Summer Festival, is a gathering of carmakers such as Suzuki, Subaru, and Mazda, and top product suppliers like Bridgestone and Sumitomo Rubber Industries. Discussions during the meeting focus on realizing a safe mobile society.
Akio Toyoda, during his visit to Shoko-ji Temple, emphasized the importance of creating cars and technologies without ignoring the reality of traffic accidents. He also mentioned the responsibility of leaders to "decide to stop something," emphasizing that the tradition of praying for road safety should not be stopped.
The temple, famous for its cherry blossoms, with about 300 Yoshino cherry trees, is located on a plateau at an altitude of 1200 meters, ensuring the blooms don't appear until late April to early May. The temple is visited annually by Toyota's top executives, dealerships, and representatives from around the country during the Summer Festival in July.
The movement for road safety now includes the Kyohokai (parts and suppliers) and Eihokai (facilities and logistics). The merging of Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. and Toyota Motor Sales Co., Ltd. in 1982 helped spread the tradition of praying for road safety to group companies and other related companies.
However, despite extensive research, there is no available information regarding the companies involved alongside Toyota in the founding and financing of Shoko-ji Temple in Japan or how this relates to the temple's goals and activities.
This year, the number of traffic fatalities in Japan were 87, fortunately down by 2 compared to the previous year, becoming the lowest since 1954. The ongoing efforts of companies like Toyota and the prayers at Shoko-ji Temple continue to play a significant role in Japan's pursuit of a safer future on the roads.
