Running with the Olympic Flame: The Person Behind the Torch, Towa Takada, Encourages Personal Growth through Embracing Opportunities and Overcoming Challenges

Towa Takada: Tokyo 2020 Torchbearer and a Symbol of Resilience

Towa Takada, a student at the Toyota Technical Skills Academy, has become a beacon of inspiration after being selected as a torchbearer for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 2021. This honour came at a poignant time for Takada, who had recently experienced a series of losses, including the passing of both his great grandfather and grandfather on his father's side.

Takada's journey to the Olympic Torch Relay began when he learned about the company's recruitment for torchbearers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay. This opportunity served as a catalyst for Takada, inspiring him to break out of his slump and try to do his best again.

The Toyota Technical Skills Academy, established by Toyota Motor Corporation in 1938 to develop human resources for manufacturing, was the place where Takada chose to pursue his dreams. He joined the Academy with a fervent desire to show gratitude to his parents for their sacrifices and to buy something for his grandfather with his first paycheck.

However, tragedy struck when his grandfather passed away before he could fulfill his promise. Takada was devastated, but this loss only strengthened his resolve. Being selected as a torchbearer made Takada confront his lack of motivation and prompted him to get back on track.

Takada spoke to his grandfather about joining the Academy before his passing. The memory of this conversation, coupled with the desire to make his grandfather in heaven and his grandmother in Iwate proud, motivated him to apply for the torchbearer position. His passionately written application was selected as the one for recommendation.

When Takada's grandmother learned of his selection, she cried with joy. For Takada, being a torchbearer is not the goal but the first step and the start of an eventful life.

Takada aims to use his experience as a torchbearer to convey a message to others who might be struggling with a feeling of inferiority. He believes anyone can try to seize an opportunity and hopes to inspire others, both within Toyota and those considering joining the company in the future.

Takada's confidence lies in his communication skills, but he struggles with studying. Despite this, he is undergoing on-site training at Toyota's Miyoshi Plant and is determined to succeed.

In a world where loss and hardship are common, Takada's story serves as a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of seizing opportunities. His journey from the Toyota Technical Skills Academy to the Olympic Torch Relay is a reminder that every step, no matter how small, can lead to great things.

Running with the Olympic Flame: The Person Behind the Torch, Towa Takada, Encourages Personal Growth through Embracing Opportunities and Overcoming Challenges