Top Message

We are living in an era of unprecedented change and uncertainty. To navigate these turbulent times, long-established companies like DENSO must carefully discern what to change and what to preserve.

As the automotive industry undergoes a major transformation, the need for management reform today mirrors the determination required 75 years ago. Therefore, it is crucial to get back to our founding principles embodied in our DENSO Creed. In recent years, we have collectively undertaken this effort to return to our roots. Reflecting on the Creed and the tremendous resolve and strong will of our predecessors, we are reminded of the importance of people. An unwavering belief in the face of adversity, the courage to trust and delegate to colleagues, and the tenacity to accomplish things steadfastly. In every era, the power of people embodying these qualities has shaped the future, with human stories at the heart of our progress.

Meanwhile, technological advancements have been extraordinary, evolving at a rate incomparable to the past and even transforming human values. I am deeply concerned that if we continue to pursue convenience and efficiency driven by AI and digitalization, society will become technology-centric, causing us to lose our emotional richness and degrade our feelings without realizing it. Therefore, it is essential to reconnect with the passionate spirit and burning hearts of our predecessors, learning the importance of human dignity and the immense power that people possess.

"Culture" is not merely a characteristic but a strength and an overwhelming identity. To understand what makes this culture a strength, we must consider what our predecessors desperately protected and boldly changed. Through our 75-year history, I hope we can decipher the hearts of our predecessors and use this understanding to live resiliently and richly in the coming era. I expect each of you to recognize yourself as a successor, discover your own sense of DENSO Culture, and carry the “Tasuki” forward to the next generation.

What is the significance of learning history? It lies in the "inheritance of the spirit" that should be passed on to empower individuals to live their lives with strength.

Since the dawn of recorded history, humanity has overcome various changes. These events are documented in numerous history books. However, what we should decode is not merely the factual records, but rather the aspirations of the predecessors who lived through those times. Behind numerous historical facts breathes the spirit of those who lived in those eras. To pioneer new times, what did they confront, and what did they strive to protect? What determinations did they set, and how did they inspire themselves? By immersing ourselves in each era and reflecting on these aspects, we uncover the spirit of our predecessors that needs to be interpreted.

The tide of change never ceases. We, too, are living in an era of transformation. If we merely drift through these changes without purpose, our lives may pass in confusion. Instead, by encountering the spirits of many predecessors, resonating with them, and igniting our own spirit, we can set unwavering determinations and live with strength. It is this "inheritance of the spirit" that embodies the true significance of learning history.

This year, DENSO celebrates its 75th anniversary. Since the birth of "Nippondenso" in 1949, the relentless challenges faced by many predecessors have shaped today's DENSO. Each era saw seniors who, with their aspirations and behaviors, wove this history together with their peers. The 75-year history is alive with the spirit of each individual predecessor. We are profoundly grateful to have reached this historical milestone of the 75th anniversary.

By learning history, we inherit the spirit from our predecessors, share the same aspirations with many comrades living in the present, and live our lives with strength. This, in turn, connects our spirit, living in the present, to the future.