As hinted on last week’s Voice-Only Toyota Times News, Chairman Akio Toyoda held an Akio Juku at Toyota Technical Skills Academy, visiting the final-year students just days before their graduation.

When Chairman Toyoda opened the floor for questions, the students eagerly raised their hands.

—What should I do right after I join the company?
“For the first three months, keep your mind fresh. Above all, ask questions—ask as many as you can.”

—If you could give your past self one piece of advice, what would it be?
“Work harder! No, I did work hard. Maybe I should say...”

The students will soon graduate and take their first steps into adulthood, facing experiences they have never encountered before. Chairman Toyoda encouraged them with his advice.

The final question was decided by rock-paper-scissors, and the winner had an unexpected request: “I want to build self-confidence, so please arm wrestle with me.”

“Winning at arm wrestle won’t give you confidence in the workplace,” Chairman Toyoda said, adding, “Confidence comes from how many failures you’ve experienced.” But then he added, “Shall we give it a try?” The room erupted—who would win? 

Finally, Chairman Toyoda was asked to write a message to the Academy and he wrote the kanji "ba" (place) and ended with some words of encouragement: “Wherever you go, you’ll find a place.”

After the question-and-answer session, Chairman Toyoda gave students a ride in his GR Yaris Rally2, ripping through the school grounds and leaving them with lasting memories of the sound, smell, and excitement of the car.