“Since our establishment your company has consistently contributed to the development and prosperity of the Toyota Motor Corporation. … We present this commendation to express our gratitude for your meritorious deeds.”
Our company’s predecessor, Asai Shoten, started after Toyota founder Sakichi Toyoda recommended the company’s independence. We conducted a considerable amount of transactions with Toyota Industries Corporation, and when Sakichi’s son Kiichiro decided to enter into automobile manufacturing, our company actively served. Our company delivered the frame material for Toyota’s first experimental automobile design. Etsujiro Asai occupied an important position as a supplier of materials to Toyota Motors, and in August 1943 he received a work commission from them.
Around 1949, Toyota experienced its greatest managerial difficulties in the post-war period. Etsujiro supplied the company with steel products with the knowledge that he was gambling the entirety of his personal finances. Our company played a role in reviving Japanese industry after the war and in revitalizing Toyota.
Since that time, we have maintained a good relationship with Toyota. We continue to deepen our bonds with Toyota in ways outside of our transactions. Examples include mutual ownership of each other’s shares, in spite of our company not being listed, as well as by having outside officers dispatched.