Youth Directive through Yo-Yo Contests: Toyota's Unusual Endeavor Revealed
In the heart of Japan's Gifu Prefecture, nestled amongst the picturesque landscapes of Shirakawa-go, lies the Toyota Shirakawa-go Eco-Institute. This unique experiential accommodation facility, opened in 2005, serves as a testament to Toyota's longstanding commitment to sustainable development, environmental conservation, and nurturing future leaders who align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The institute, approximately 37 times the size of Tokyo Dome, was established in response to the Kyoto Protocol, a global environmental agreement aimed at setting goals and raising awareness regarding climate change. The facility, which also functions as a hot spring resort owned by Toyota, offers a "classroom in nature" experience, promoting experiential learning on biodiversity and sustainability in a natural environment.
Toyota's involvement in the Shirakawa-go Eco-Institute and the SDGs Leader Development Program is part of its broader corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The company's philosophy is rooted in the Toyota Production System (TPS) and has evolved to encompass environmental and social leadership domains, with a focus on sustainable development education.
The SDGs Leader Development Program, advanced by Toyota's Corporate Citizenship Division and the Toyota Shirakawa-go Eco-Institute, in collaboration with the villagers of Shirakawa, aims to cultivate future talent in sustainability. For the past three years, about 20 students have been participating annually in the program at the facility.
Participants engage in various programs such as night hikes in the pitch-dark forest and events where guests and peers hold discussions around a campfire. The theme of the experiential accommodation facility is to have children thoroughly enjoy themselves and to rejuvenate adults, while instilling a deep understanding of the interplay between nature, sustainability, and industrial innovation.
The land for the institute was once a deserted village, bought by Toyota in 1973 to relocate the remaining residents. One house survived a heavy snowfall of 8 meters in 1980, and the recreational facility was closed and left unattended for nearly 20 years. Today, the maintenance work on the old paths, necessitated by heavy snowfall, forms part of an educational program called the SDGs Leader Development Program.
Hiroki Kubota, a professional partner in the Corporate Citizenship Division, explains that the crises in modern society are the accumulation of humanity's choices. He emphasizes the urgency to cultivate people who are interested in social challenges and who can take the initiative in solving them. Participant Takuma Yanagihara joined the program to have various experiences during his student years and wants to help contribute and revitalize the community.
In summary, Toyota's commitment to the Shirakawa-go Eco-Institute and the SDGs Leader Development Program reflects its purpose to foster environmental education and sustainability awareness, develop leaders for SDGs fulfillment, and integrate CSR with business to promote inclusive, sustainable growth. This commitment, which has evolved from Toyota’s broader CSR and TPS leadership initiatives, demonstrates its mission to create long-term value and empower communities.
- The Toyota Shirakawa-go Eco-Institute, a facility focused on sustainability and biodiversity, is part of Toyota's education and self-development initiatives, particularly in the realm of environmental science and personal growth.
- Toyota's SDGs Leader Development Program, which takes place at the Shirakawa-go Eco-Institute, is an integral part of its philosophy for corporate social responsibility (CSR), targeting the realms of lifestyle, education, and self-development, aiming to develop future leaders in environmental conservation and sustainable development.
