Tomikawa
I see. There’s one more thing that I’d like to ask you about car development in connection with this world premiere. As I mentioned during the talk show, through my reporting, Toyota’s current approach to carmaking centered around Morizo really feels like a one-team effort. And not just in appearance; people are truly working as one team. That sense feels even stronger in the development of the GR GT and GT3. The team seems even more unified. When I asked about it, I was told that it all began with a sense of frustration you felt, and that drivers and engineers then came together to first think about what kind of car they needed to build, and what it would take to win. I’ve also heard that starting development from a shared vision like that was a first for Toyota. How do you see this team?
Morizo
Well, I wouldn’t say I’ve been watching them all that closely.
Tomikawa
You’re looking at the cars that come out of it.
Morizo
That’s right. I’m looking at the cars themselves. As for how closely I’m watching the team that builds them, in reality, it’s not all that much.
Tomikawa
You started by laying out a vision, and then Daisuke (Toyoda) joined, along with the pro drivers…
Morizo
I haven’t really been told much about that side of things, either.
Tomikawa
You didn’t know? Really?
Morizo
I’m hardly told anything. My actions are actually watched pretty closely, but no one really comes to me with information.
Tomikawa
I see. So everyone’s thinking it through…
Morizo
Right, right. And I don’t say things like, “No one told me.” I suppose it’s because I’m trying to support them and help shape things in a better direction. But honestly, I don’t really know much about that side of it.
Tomikawa
What?! But you’re essentially acting as a backstop and people often refer to you as a “disposer,” don’t they…
Morizo
That’s why they call me a disposer. It’s like saying, “You handle the final difficult decisions,” or “If it doesn’t work out, you take responsibility.” For now, that’s still me. But once people can make those difficult decisions themselves and take accountability for them, then they can truly stand on their own.
But in that respect, it’s not about titles. I suppose they’re still relying on me.
Tomikawa
They are. And when you say “disposer,” it’s not like the kind you see in an apartment building. It’s more like a household disposer. At home, you can’t just throw things away, so they stay there, ferment, and eventually become compost. And from that, everyone…
Morizo
No, that’s not it…
Tomikawa
What, really! That’s not right?
Morizo
If you’re going to toss your trash my way, at least sort it properly. That’s what I’d like to tell them. I mean, people just toss it without thinking—that’s my two cents as a disposer.
Tomikawa
Really? From my perspective, it turns into compost from which new things sprout…
Morizo
I’m nothing as nice as that.
Tomikawa
(Laughs) No way…
Morizo
Really, really.
Tomikawa
That’s honestly how I see it, from my reporting.
Morizo
Honestly? From the disposer’s perspective, my thoughts are “Come on guys, use things more carefully.” That’s from my side, as the person dealing with what gets tossed.
Tomikawa
So the water and scraps go down together, it’s whirring away and that’s what you’re thinking about, huh?
Morizo
Yes, and there’s a sense that when something goes wrong, it all gets pinned on me, while the credit goes to Toyota Motor Corporation.
Tomikawa
Is that right? Oh my… I was thinking this would be a good time to wrap things up nicely, but that’s not a nice way to finish at all (laughs).
Morizo
But that’s the reality. Even so, I keep doing it. That’s why I say I’m the garbage disposal. And for now, I’m okay with being that.
Tomikawa
But in a way—and I know this isn’t the nicest way to put it—having a place where things can be left gives people a sense of reassurance, and that’s what allows them to take on new challenges.
Morizo
(Laughs) That’s what it is.
Tomikawa
They can tackle new challenges.
Morizo
Yes, because there’s a garbage disposal.
Tomikawa
Exactly. Without it, that couldn’t happen.
Morizo
Well then, maybe I’m not completely useless after all…
Tomikawa
For example, after the disaster, there are still interim storage facilities in place, because there’s nowhere for things to ultimately go. But that’s not the case at Toyota.
Morizo
Ah, so that’s what lets us move forward to the future! Good point.
Tomikawa
(Laughs) I’m doing my best here.
Morizo
Even a garbage disposal has its value.
Tomikawa
It certainly does. Thank you. I thank you on behalf of everyone.
Morizo
No, you’re right, it does have value. Definitely. Without waste disposal sites, that’s what happens, like the nuclear plant. But in our case, I’m here to handle anything and everything. Although I wouldn’t put it this way myself, I serve as the household garbage disposal unit, creating compost that becomes soil for the future. And then it is up to everyone else to sow the seeds.
Tomikawa
Ah, nicely put. Thank you.
And we can all look forward to seeing what kind of future Toyota cultivates, growing these seedlings into trees.
Morizo
That’s right.
Tomikawa
This time, the GR GT and GT3 came out of one such challenge, and although still in development, they’ve been unveiled for everyone to see. I wonder what kind of cars await us further down the road, and what the next cycle of Shikinen Sengu will bring. In the future, we are bound to see many new forms of mobility as well. There is much to look forward to.