Akio Toyoda Resigns As Chair Of The Japanese Automotive Association, Replaced By Isuzu Boss Starting 2024

Akio Toyota, Chairman of Toyota who ended his leadership at JAMA at the end of 2023. (Doc. Toyota Global)

JAKARTA - After resigning from his post as CEO of Toyota last April, Akio Toyoda recently announced his retirement from his position as chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) representing several vehicle manufacturers.

This decision makes it the only executive to lead Japan's automotive industry for three terms, namely in 2012, 2018, and 2022.

During his leadership, Toyoda was known for its sharp vision of mass adoption of electric vehicles and autonomous cars, as well as its multi-path approach to the future of the automotive industry. Despite criticism, he maintained his views on the slow adoption of electric vehicles by Japanese vehicle manufacturers.

Reporting from Carscoops, Wednesday, November 22, Masanori Katayama will replace the position left by Akio Toyoda. Katayama currently serves as Chairman at Isuzu Motors and will start handling the position of chairman of JAMA in early 2024.

Toyoda and Katayama agreed that the automotive sector remains a very important industry for Japan. This is the first time since the founding of the association that a leader from a truck company serves as chairman of JAMA.

Katayama will be supported by Nissan CEO, Makoto Uchida, as vice chairman. In addition, Toshihiro Mibe (CEO Honda) and Koji Sato (CEO Toyota), along with other prominent figures from the bus, truck and motorcycle sectors will also be part of the leadership team.

Some time ago, JAMA managed to hold a 2023 Japan Mobility Show (JMS) in Tokyo which was attended by 1.11 million visitors. The challenge that JAMA will face next is to meet the Japanese government's goal of achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050.