Mr. Hiroshi Okuda joined Toyota in 1955 upon earning a degree in business from Tokyo's Hitotsubashi University. After spending the first part of his career in the accounting division, Mr. Okuda was dispatched to Manila in 1972 to oversee Toyota's Philippine operations. He return to Japan and became general manager of the Asia and Oceania division in 1979.

Named a director of the company in 1982, Mr. Okuda supervised a full range of international operations, including preparations for the construction of major plants in Taiwan and North America.

Mr. Okuda became a managing director in 1987, a senior managing director in 1988, and an executive vice president in 1992. Mr. Okuda served as president from 1995 to 1999. Mr. Okuda assumed duties as chairman in 1999, where he was instrumental in furthering localization and internationalization of the Company, as well as making it a worldwide leader in environmental initiatives. In 1996, Mr. Okuda was awarded the Medal with Blue Ribbon, Japan, for his contributions to Japanese Society. In 1998, Mr. Okuda was selected as a member of the Prime Minister's Economic Strategy Council of Japan. In 1999, Mr. Okuda became chairman of the Japan Federation of Employers' Associations (Nikkeiren).

Books and movies are favorite pastimes these days for Mr. Okuda, who also holds a black belt in judo. Born in Mie Prefecture in 1932.

'Mandate of Capital' Shapes Group Philosophy
Hiroshi Okuda was officially named president of Japan's top automaker in August 1995, succeeding Mr. Tatsuro Toyoda. "If only I had been appointed president 10 years earlier," he said soon after, causing a stir with the remark, in no small part because he was not a member of the founding family. In his four years as president, through June 1999, Mr. Okuda made major changes to the Toyota Group.

Valuing the bonds created by ownership, Mr. Okuda strengthened ties among group firms, placing his "mandate of capital" philosophy at the core of management policy. Actions reflecting this include the move to convert Daihatsu Motors, Ltd. into a subsidiary and the increase of Toyota's stake in Hino Motors, Ltd. Mr. Okuda is expected to be named president of the group holding company Toyota will likely establish next year.

As the head of Japan's leading corporation, Mr. Okuda's outspoken manner has drawn a great deal of international attention. At one time, he said Toyota would curb investment in Britain unless it joined the European currency union. He was also named to Business Week's list of the world's 25 outstanding business leaders.

In May, Mr. Okuda became chairman of Japan's top business lobby, the Japan Federation of Employers' Associations (Nikkeiren). Speaking at a management seminar this summer, Mr. Okuda explained that an executive can serve shareholder interests and the company as a whole only by building up human resources and assuring survival and growth. His words were seen as a warning against simply cutting jobs in the name of "keeping up with global standards." He is now working on defining management protocols for Japanese companies to follow.