TOKYO, Jan 25, 2016 - (ACN Newswire) - Toyota has entered into a national partnership agreement with Special Olympics Nippon (SON) that includes sponsorship of SON activities in Japan. To support the Special Olympics 2016 in Niigata Prefecture, Toyota employees will be dispatched to related events as volunteers, and promotional campaigns will be conducted at nearby dealerships.
Toyota President Akio Toyoda eloquently described the reason for the company's involvement: "Events like the Special Olympics show us the true power and beauty of sport. Sport unites us by giving us a shared passion; it breaks down barriers, fostering mutual respect and understanding. We at Toyota will start by doing what we can, through sport, to bring us closer to a world where everyone is given the opportunities and respect they deserve."
The Special Olympics is an international athletics organization which is dedicated to providing a variety of training opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Nippon engages in a wide range of activities, including holding events and competitions across Japan and promoting the development of coaches and volunteers. The domestic event taking place in Japan this year will be held in Niigata Prefecture from February 12 through 14, and hosted by the cities of Niigata and Minami-Uonuma.
SON President and CEO Yuko Arimori spoke enthusiastically about the agreement with Toyota: "Toyota is a company that believes in the power of sport and supports a variety of sporting activities both within and outside the company. Therefore, I am delighted that we are entering this partnership, which will surely contribute to the further development of the Special Olympics movement." She also spoke highly of the newly introduced Unified Sports program, which consists of integrated teams partially comprised of athletes with intellectual disabilities: "On the twentieth anniversary of its founding in 2014, Special Olympics Nippon began a new chapter in its history by introducing the Unified Sports program with the aim of promoting social inclusion and mutual respect through sport."
President Toyoda expressed the same desire, saying: "We at Toyota share SON's commitment to fostering a society that values diversity."
This goal is not only applicable to Japan: in the United States last year, Toyota sponsored the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. Building on this foundation, Toyota hopes to support Special Olympics activities on a more global scale in the future.
About Toyota
Supported by people around the world, Toyota Motor Corporation (TSE: 7203; NYSE: TM), has endeavored since its establishment in 1937 to serve society by creating better products. As of the end of December 2013, Toyota conducts its business worldwide with 52 overseas manufacturing companies in 27 countries and regions. Toyota's vehicles are sold in more than 170 countries and regions. For more information, please visit www.toyota-global.com.
Source: Toyota
Contact:
Toyota Motor Corporation Public Affairs Division Global Communications Department Tel: +81-3-3817-9926
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