Kiichiro Toyoda, the founder of Toyota Motor Corporation, deeply believed in advancing practical engineering and academic research as two complementary pillars. Guided by this philosophy, the Toyota Group established Toyota Central R&D Labs., Inc. through joint investment in 1960. We have remained committed to contributing to industrial development through forward-looking research and innovation. This has been our core purpose and identity since our foundation.
Mobility, which supports the transportation of people and goods, is expected to create greater value as a form of social infrastructure and continue to evolve. As of 2020, it was estimated that around 1.6 billion vehicles were in operation worldwide, approximately 150 million of which were Toyotas. We are entrusted with both the responsibility and the potential to respond to these expectations. Integrating mobility with social systems and delivering value centered on moving experiences will become increasingly important. This is why forward-looking research is essential: envisioning new value beyond mobility and translating it into technology.
In retrospect, our progress has been shaped by decisions made with a long-term perspective. Each decision has served as a starting point for sustained value creation over time. For instance, our early investments in semiconductor technologies led to innovations such as sensors for emissions control and power semiconductors supporting vehicle electrification. These technologies now form part of the Toyota Group’s shared technological foundation, demonstrating how clearly defined starting points can create lasting value.
Today, we are establishing a new starting point for the next era. In an increasingly uncertain world, where it is difficult to envision the future as a simple extension of the past, responding to change alone is no longer sufficient. We must identify emerging signals, recognize the potential of new technologies, and take the initiative to move forward. Through this proactive approach, we will develop the technologies that underpin the next generation and connect them to real-world applications. This is the mission we have chosen to undertake.
Above all, Toyota Central R&D Labs. is home to a diverse group of talented people who share a “drive to move forward” and a “curiosity to discover untapped potential.” As CEO, it is my responsibility to create an environment where each individual can fully unleash their creativity. I am convinced that, by doing so, we will unlock new possibilities for the Toyota Group and contribute to the future of mobility and society.
We sincerely appreciate your continued understanding and support.
Chief Executive Officer
Nobuhiko Koga
June 2026
The environment surrounding research and development is undergoing significant change. Technological progress is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, and societal expectations are also rising significantly. Technology is a source of competitiveness and a foundation of social trust. As a research organization, we must respond to these expectations with clarity and determination.
As we look ahead to our 70th anniversary in 2030, we have identified this milestone as the starting point of a new founding phase. With the vision of realizing a symbiotic mobility society for people and the environment, we are strengthening our long-term research capabilities.
In order for the technological foundations of future society to emerge, the seeds of frontier technology must be planted today. We are intensifying our efforts in advanced fields such as quantum and biotechnology, taking a strategic, long-term approach that will expand the possibilities for value creation over the next five to ten years.
To ensure the long-term sustainability of the manufacturing industry that underpins the Toyota Group, further improvements in productivity are essential. By integrating the core technologies we have cultivated — such as materials science, process engineering, and intelligent systems — we will build an advanced R&D platform in which people and AI work in concert, thereby strongly supporting the continued evolution of manufacturing.
At the same time, addressing global challenges such as carbon neutrality and resource circulation continues to be an urgent priority. By advancing initiatives that respond to these societal demands in parallel with the creation of forward-looking advanced technologies, we aim to secure our long-term research competitiveness.
Our mission is not only to generate outstanding research outcomes, but also to deliver them in forms that create tangible value for society. To this end, it is essential to achieve both the strengthening of research competitiveness and the enhancement of our ability to translate research into practical applications.
Co-creation with universities, research institutions, and industry partners is central pillar of this effort. Our strength lies in our accumulated knowledge across various fields of research, honed through our direct engagement with real-world challenges within the Toyota Group. We believe that this strength will be further refined and enhanced through deeper co-creation.
To advance sustained and effective collaboration, it is important first that we become a research organization with which partners are motivated to take on challenges together. To that end, we will continuously improve our research operations. This will ensure compliance with laws and regulations, and promote safety, while also creating an environment where researchers can focus on their work.
At the same time, we are committed to developing globally competitive research talent, as well as professional staff who collaborate with researchers to strengthen the research competitiveness. Through these initiatives, we will further enhance our organizational execution capabilities.
We look forward to your continued support as we move forward.
President and Chief Research Officer
Takashi Shimazu
June 2026