The TOYOTA Supply Partners Convention brought together suppliers from around the world, strengthening those partnerships. Following messages from President Koji Sato and incoming President Kenta Kon, a Q&A session was also held.
More than 700 supplier leaders from around the world gathered at the 2026 TOYOTA Supply Partners Convention. After remarks by President Koji Sato and incoming President Kenta Kon, the event moved into a Q&A session.
Moderated by Toyota Times News anchor Yuta Tomikawa, the session took on a tone reminiscent of the recent “formation change” press conference.
Questions came from all angles—from the two leaders’ personal lives to their future with Toyota.
It offered a glimpse of the kind of “serious, candid communication” that incoming President Kon aims to foster.
Here are some highlights.
(The titles used in this article are those held at the time of the Supply Partners Convention.)
So… are the two of you actually close?
What kind of suppliers do you want to keep working with going forward?
Incoming President Kon
If I had to sum it up in one phrase, it would be suppliers who speak candidly with us.
Sato has said that, from the perspective of the broader automotive industry, there will come a time when he needs to speak candidly to me. And I believe there will also come a time when I need to do the same with him.
From my experience over the past decades, I’ve learned that real strength can only come from those kinds of candid conversations—communication that can be tough at times.
So… are you two actually close?
Incoming President Kon
I wouldn’t say we’re extremely close. Probably not.
But just before the recent “formation change” press conference, Sato said to me, “Kon, once you start talking about minivans, you don’t stop.” I honestly don’t remember talking about them that much, but it made me happy that he noticed something like that.
That might have been a nice place to end the story, but just before this question, President Sato had mentioned that he’d like to try driving cars from other manufacturers. He even joked, “That might create a bit of distance between us.”
So, what did President Sato have to say?
President Sato
We’ve worked in different areas, so we haven’t exactly built our careers together within Toyota. That means we’ve probably seen quite different things along the way.
But I clearly remember thinking, when I saw how passionately he was talking about minivans, that Kon really loves cars. And you can’t be a bad person if you love cars. (laughs)
After all, Kon even competes in the Rally Challenge.
*Kon, the incoming president, competed in the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge in Susono in 2025. His co-driver was Hajime Kumabe, CEO of Woven by Toyota.
Will you continue competing in the Rally Challenge after becoming president?
Incoming President Kon
I don’t have any plans to at the moment, but I’d like to keep training.
Kon was then asked whether Toyota would continue to focus on motorsports, as well as for his thoughts on the Rally Challenge. On motorsports, he responded, “It sits right at the core of Toyota’s approach to carmaking. Of course, we will continue to focus on it.”
And as for his first Rally Challenge experience…
Incoming President Kon
It was exhausting.
Chairman Akio Toyoda has long led Toyota’s motorsports efforts, and I’ve often seen him step out of the car with a smile, taking time to interact with fans.
I thought I should be able to do the same, but I had no energy left for that. It really made me realize for the first time, just how much effort goes into it for everyone involved.
I have great respect for everyone who takes part in motorsports.
How do you spend your days off?
President Sato
Pretty much as you’d expect, I spend my time tinkering with cars.
Just the other day, I replaced all the fuses. They weren’t blown, so I didn’t really need to, but it took the whole day.
It’s not very exciting, but I really enjoy it.
Incoming President Kon
I drive quite a lot. Sports cars, not minivans.
Since I’m based in Tokyo, there are some great driving roads nearby, like the Hakone Turnpike.
*The Anest Iwata Turnpike Hakone is a toll road connecting Odawara with the Izu and Hakone areas.
Pursue each technology to the fullest
With President Sato focusing on the broader automotive industry and incoming President Kon on Toyota, what should suppliers continue to see as their strengths from each of your positions?
Incoming President Kon
Before the event began this morning, I had the opportunity to hear from the representatives of Kyohokai and Eihokai, who shared their thoughts on this convention with tremendous passion.
*Kyohokai is an organization of Toyota’s parts suppliers, chaired by Ikuji Ikeda (Sumitomo Rubber Industries). Eihokai represents suppliers in equipment, construction, and logistics, chaired by Mitsunori Kamiya (San-ei Kogyo).
I felt truly grateful, and it made me wonder whether relationships like this exist at other companies.
It may sound a bit too idealistic, but I don’t think many companies have built relationships like this. I believe that is one of Toyota’s strengths. I want to make sure we preserve it by creating an environment where suppliers feel comfortable speaking candidly with us.
President Sato
I believe the strength of Japan’s automotive industry lies in its resilient supply chain. And what supports that supply chain is the technological capability of each and every company.
It is important to identify the core technologies that define your company’s strengths and to pursue them to the fullest, with the aim of winning through those technologies. Innovation can only come from technological capability. The depth to which you can refine your technology is the foundation of industrial competitiveness.
I also believe there is still room to improve productivity.
If we look at productivity from three perspectives—materials, equipment, and people—it’s important to question any assumptions we may be taking for granted.
Do those conditions really have to be that way? If the root causes lie upstream or downstream in the process, then changing them could lead to higher productivity.
By taking this kind of approach, and by continuing to focus on technology within each company, I believe we can become an even stronger group.
I would very much like to work together with you.
In closing, Incoming President Kon added, “I will do my best so that people will continue to want to work with Toyota for years to come,” drawing warm applause from the suppliers.