Aichi

Aichi Prefecture is "Japan's manufacturing heart." Aichi's population is approximately 7.46 million. Fourth most populous prefecture in Japan. Aichi's capital is Nagoya City. Japan's third largest city. Aichi has recorded the highest manufacturing shipment value in Japan every year since 1977. 48 consecutive years at #1. This is an overwhelming record. Aichi residents dedicate their lives to "making." 35.1% of Aichi's GDP is manufacturing. Aichi houses the headquarters of Toyota Motor, Denso, and Aisin. Global automotive parts manufacturers. Most Aichi residents work in the automotive industry. Aichi residents are "making" professionals. Every day they assemble cars in factories. Weld. Paint. Inspect. For Aichi residents, "cars" are work. Aichi residents wake at 6 AM. Go to factory. Work 12 hours. Return home. Sleep. Wake at 6 AM again. Continue this cycle for 40 years. For Aichi residents, this is "life."

Aichi has Suzuka Circuit... no, that's not accurate. Suzuka Circuit is in Mie Prefecture. About 45 minutes by car from Aichi. Aichi residents know Suzuka Circuit. Location of F1 Japanese Grand Prix. World-famous circuit. But most Aichi residents have never been to Suzuka Circuit. Why? Because Aichi residents work on weekends too. Toyota factories operate on Saturdays. Aichi residents have "no time to go to circuits." Aichi residents only have time to "make" cars.

Aichi has a motorsport paradox. Aichi residents make the world's best cars. Lexus LFA. Toyota GR86. Cars that car enthusiasts worldwide dream of. But Aichi residents don't "drive" these cars. Aichi residents make cars in factories. Inspect cars on test courses. But don't "enjoy them as hobbies." For Aichi residents, cars are "work." When work ends, want to leave cars behind. Aichi residents are surrounded by cars all day at work. When they go home, don't want to think about cars. For Aichi residents, "motorsport" is others' hobby. Aichi residents "make" cars. Other people "enjoy" cars. This is Aichi residents' philosophy.

Aichi has a city called "Toyota City." Literally, a city existing for Toyota Motor. Population 420,000. Most Toyota City residents work for Toyota-affiliated companies. Toyota City's economy completely depends on Toyota Motor. Toyota City has Tsutsumi Plant, Motomachi Plant, Takaoka Plant. Giant automotive factories. Operating 24 hours. Toyota City's night is bright with factory lights. Toyota City residents wake to factory sounds. Fall asleep to factory sounds. For Toyota City residents, "factories" are part of life. For Toyota City residents, "cars" are like air. Too familiar to be special.

Aichi residents are diligent. Aichi residents are called "majime" (serious). Aichi residents don't play. Aichi residents work. Aichi residents' average working hours are longest in Japan. Aichi residents do overtime. Work on holidays. For Aichi residents, "working" is virtue. Aichi residents despise "slacking." Aichi residents emphasize "efficiency." Hate waste. For Aichi residents, "motorsport" is waste. Lap the circuit many times, what do you gain? Aichi residents can't understand. Aichi residents believe in "production." "Making" something. "Creating" something. This is Aichi residents' values. Lapping circuits produces nothing. So Aichi residents don't go to circuits.

But there's a contradiction. Aichi supports Japan's motorsport. Cars made by Aichi residents run on circuits worldwide. F1, WRC, Le Mans 24 Hours. Toyota cars win worldwide. Aichi residents' technology supports motorsport worldwide. But Aichi residents themselves aren't interested in motorsport. Aichi residents are interested in "making." Not interested in "enjoying." This is Aichi's contradiction. Aichi is Japan's motorsport heart. But Aichi residents only see motorsport as "work." For Aichi residents, motorsport isn't a "hobby." It's an "industry."

Aichi's roads are congested. Nagoya City's traffic jams are among Japan's worst. Aichi residents get stuck in traffic every day. Morning commute, evening return. Aichi residents spend many hours of life in cars. In unmoving cars. For Aichi residents, "driving" is stress. "Driving fast" is a dream. But Aichi residents are stopped in traffic. Aichi residents make the world's best cars. But Aichi residents can't experience those cars' performance. On Aichi roads, 40 km/h is the limit. The Lexus LFA made by Aichi residents has a top speed of 325 km/h. But Aichi residents crawl through traffic at 40 km/h. This is Aichi's reality.

Aichi also has no culture of "watching" motorsport. Aichi residents don't watch F1 on TV. Aichi residents work on Sundays too. No time to watch F1. For Aichi residents, Sunday is "day to increase factory operation rate." Aichi residents have weak concept of holidays. Aichi residents consider "always working" as virtue. So Aichi residents don't watch F1. Don't go to Suzuka Circuit. Aichi residents are at factories. Monday, Tuesday, Sunday. For Aichi residents, every day is "factory day."

But Aichi shows signs of change. Young Aichi residents are starting to get interested in motorsport. Buy Toyota GR86. Go to circuits on weekends. Among Aichi residents, a culture of "enjoying cars" is sprouting. But this is still a minority. The majority of Aichi residents are still making cars in factories today. Dedicating their lives to "making" cars, not "enjoying" them. Aichi is Japan's motorsport heart. But Aichi residents themselves don't realize this. Aichi residents continue silently making cars today. For people worldwide to "enjoy."