" Decision－My carrer" written by late Mr. Eiji Toyoda, former Top Adviser to Toyota Motor Corporation
Published by Nihon Keizai Shimbun in 1985 - Page 235 -
・・・・・ we discussed whether we shouldn't also have a center dedicated to the study of economic and social topics - a sort of think tank, if you will. But for a long time we were too preoccupied with hard-core technological development to give this much serious consideration, so we tabled the idea. With the merger of Toyota Motor and Toyota Motor Sales in July 1982, however, we took another look at the future of the new Toyota Motor Corporation and came to conclusion that the need had arrived for a cultural research organization.
・・・・・ and we decided to name it the Institute for International Economic Studies (IIES), because by now Toyota's activities had become global.
- Decision－My carrer
- (Sep., 1985, Nihon Keizai Shimbun)
The Institute for International Economic Studies (IIES) is a research institute established in 1983* by the initiative of Toyota Motor Corporation to conduct research and surveys on international economic developments and promote international exchange activities. Back in those days, Japan's trade surplus was mounting up and the Japanese automotive industry, under pressure to deal with the trade friction between Japan and the United States, began to set its management course toward overseas manufacturing and business globalization. As Toyota expands its presence around the world markets, the Institute in response has extended the targets of its research and surveys from the United States to Europe, Asia and emerging countries.
Today, Toyota has overseas manufacturing companies in over 20 countries/regions, selling vehicles under the Toyota brand in more than 170 countries/regions. Meanwhile, in this age of globalization, economic and social issues are complexly intertwined with each other and any incident/problem that has occurred in any place can immediately make a critical impact on other parts of the world or the entire world economy.
Also, in the midst of serious threats endangering liberal international order today, the worldwide pandemic brought about by the coronavirus has posed additional challenges and uncertainties to the international society.
In light of these circumstances of the world, the IIES is engaged in legwork-research and surveys from a global perspective on subjects such as political and economic trends and outlook in the United States, China and Europe, mid-to long-term economic, industrial, social prospects of major emerging countries and regions, as well as environment, energy, future mobility, industrial policies and corporate strategies. The Institute will try to provide value that would lead to the future with new perspectives and flexible ideas, thus contributing to the mid-to long-term business plans and managerial judgments of Toyota Motor Corporation and the Toyota Group.
Also, I hope that the Institute's various activities to deepen international exchange and mutual understanding would help Toyota and the Toyota Group as well as other Japanese enterprises conduct business as community members of respective countries/regions in their endeavors to achieve a prosperous tomorrow together with the local communities.
I would appreciate your continued guidance and support for the Institute in the years to come.
Also, I hope that the Institute's various activities to deepen international exchange and mutual understanding would help Toyota and the Toyota Group as well as other Japanese enterprises conduct business as community members of respective countries/regions in their endeavors to achieve a prosperous tomorrow together with the local communities.
I would appreciate your continued guidance and support for the Institute in the years to come.