NEWS : Toyoda family sends message of gratitude with Thai visit

January 30, 2017 BANGKOK -- The condolence visit to Thailand by Toyota Motor executives for the late Thai king went a long way toward cementing the friendly ties between the two countries.
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In late December last year, a Thai newspaper ran a photo of Toyota Honorary Chairman Shoichiro Toyoda and his son Akio Toyoda, the carmaker's president, at the Grand Palace in Bangkok paying their respects to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away at age 88 in October.
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Founded in 1962, Toyota Motor Thailand grew in step with the country's economy. Today, the auto industry is one of the nation's largest sectors. It is no exaggeration to say that Thailand played an important role in transforming Toyota into a global company.
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In 2010, Shoichiro Toyoda visited King Bhumibol at a time when the automaker was grappling with a massive vehicle recall in the U.S. The king assured Toyoda that he and the Thai people had complete confidence in Toyota.
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Despite the problems in the U.S., Toyota's car sales in Thailand jumped 40% on the year that year, and the Thai market also showed its trust in the automaker.
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There is little question that the Toyodas went to the Grand Palace to show their gratitude for the late king's warm remarks. Their visit -- which stands out all the more for the fact that Japan has yet to send cabinet-level officials to the Southeast Asian nation to pay their respects -- provided an excellent opportunity for the countries and families to confirm their friendly relationships.
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Like many developing countries, Thailand is struggling to avoid the middle-income trap. Japan's public and private sectors should work with Thailand to help it regain its economic spark.
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HIROSHI KOTANI, Nikkei staff writer