Japan’s labor force is facing a shortage, and Toyota is among the companies in the Land of the Rising Sun that acknowledge this issue, as it launched programs that intend to address the country’s personnel shortage.
Toyota Japan launched the Team Salamat Po program in November 2024, which is aimed at helping Filipino workers adapt better to its production plant, such as in its Motomachi facility. Toyota believes that the said program will help create a more inclusive work environment, which will help in retaining its workforce that includes skilled Filipinos.
At its Motomachi plant, Toyota has a dedicated 12-person team to support Filipino workers. These individuals help Filipinos by acting as interpreters, as well as providing workplace integration and even engaging in cultural support.
The Team Salamat Po program is looking to be effective for Toyota, as it has recorded no job turnover since its launch in 2024, according to a report by Nikkei Asia. A Toyota spokesperson shared that through the Team Salamt Po, “there has not been any job turnover at this point.”
Toyota’s Motomachi Plant produces vehicles such as the bZ4X BEV, GR Yaris, GR Corolla, LC, RZ, LBX, Crown (Sedan), Crown (Crossover), and Crown (Patrol car), among others.
With its positive results so far, Toyota is looking to keep on running the Team Salamat Po program, as the personnel shortage continues to be felt in Japan. Nikkei added that Toyota Motomachi Plant Deputy General Manager Masahiko Ishihashi said that “it’s becoming increasingly difficult to recruit workers for the plant.”
Ishihashi also mentioned that low retention rates would affect production volume since it involves continuously training new employees. As such, through the Team Salamat Po program, Toyota aims to make its employee retention rate high, which results in better stability and a more seamless workflow.
To put things into perspective, Japan’s National Institute of Population and Social Security Research states that the working-age population in Japan, aged 15 to 64, accounted for around 75 million in 2020. However, the said number is expected to drop 17 percent to 62 million by 2040. Moreover, foreign workers in Japan, under the category of manufacturers, are said to have exceeded 100,000 people for the first time in 2024.
Autocar’s Take
Toyota Japan understands that its country is facing a labor shortage, which is why it is banking on seeking help from foreign workers, including Filipinos. The Team Salamat Po program by Toyota Japan is a nice gesture, as it provides the necessary support for our fellow Filipinos to better adapt and to integrate more easily into the workplace.
We all know that working outside the country is no joke and involves a lot of challenges, such as a language barrier and cultural differences. With that, Toyota’s Team Salamat Po is a nice touch in helping Filipino workers ease their adjustment phase, which results in allowing them to contribute better to the car brand’s production goals.
