Kariya

Kariya City is "Toyota's shadow city." Kariya is in Aichi Prefecture. Population is about 150,000. Kariya has rows of Toyota-affiliated company factories. Aisin. Denso. Toyota Industries. Many Kariya residents work for Toyota-related companies. Kariya residents are "making" professionals. Make parts for Toyota every day. But Kariya residents aren't "Toyota City residents." Kariya is "Kariya." Kariya residents have their own identity. But the world doesn't know Kariya. The world knows Toyota. Kariya residents are "invisible existence." Kariya residents have complex feelings about this.

Kariya residents have pride. "Without us, Toyota can't make cars." Parts made in Kariya's factories are used in Toyota cars. Engine parts. Transmission parts. Kariya residents make "Toyota's heart." But nobody praises Kariya residents. People praise Toyota. "Toyota is wonderful." But nobody says "Kariya is wonderful." Kariya residents are "unsung heroes." Kariya residents accept this. But Kariya residents sometimes think: "We want recognition too."

For Kariya residents, "cars" aren't products. "Cars" are "collections of parts." Kariya residents see cars and count parts. "How many parts are used in this engine?" "Which factory made this transmission?" Kariya residents aren't interested in car design. Not interested in car performance. Kariya residents are only interested in "parts." Kariya residents see cars "disassembled." For Kariya residents, cars are "scattered parts."

From Kariya to Toyota City is about 20 minutes by car. From Kariya to Suzuka Circuit is about 1 hour 10 minutes by car. Kariya is geographically at the "center" of motorsport. But most Kariya residents aren't interested in motorsport. Why? Because Kariya residents are "tired of making cars." Kariya residents wake at 6 AM. Go to factory. Make car parts for 12 hours. Return home. Sleep. Wake at 6 AM again. Continue this cycle for 40 years. For Kariya residents, cars are "work." When work ends, want to leave cars behind. Kariya residents are surrounded by car parts all day at work. When they go home, don't want to think about cars. So Kariya residents aren't interested in motorsport.

Kariya has "Kariya Highway Oasis." Facility integrating highway parking area and park. Tourists visit. Has restaurant. Has amusement park. But most Kariya residents have never been. Why? Because Kariya residents are busy. Kariya residents work at factories on holidays too. Toyota's delivery deadlines are strict. Kariya residents have weak concept of "holidays." Kariya residents consider "always working" as virtue. So Kariya residents don't go to Kariya Highway Oasis. Kariya Highway Oasis is place for tourists. Not place for Kariya residents.

Kariya has complex motorsport contradiction. Parts made by Kariya residents are used in F1 machines too. Toyota's F1 machines. Kariya residents' technology supports world's highest-level motorsport. But Kariya residents don't watch F1. Kariya residents don't know when F1 is held. Kariya residents aren't interested in F1. For Kariya residents, F1 is "others' hobby." Kariya residents make parts. Other people use those parts to enjoy. This is Kariya residents' role. Kariya residents are "makers." Not "enjoyers."

Kariya residents are called "serious." Kariya residents don't play. Kariya residents work. Kariya residents' average income is highest in Aichi Prefecture. Why? Because Kariya residents do overtime. Work on holidays. For Kariya residents, "working" is life's purpose. For Kariya residents, "playing" is waste of time. Kariya residents emphasize efficiency. Hate waste. So Kariya residents aren't interested in motorsport. Lap the circuit many times, what do you gain? Kariya residents can't understand. Kariya residents believe in "production." "Making" something. This is Kariya residents' values.

But Kariya shows signs of change. Kariya's youth are starting to get interested in cars. Buy Toyota GR86. Go to circuits on weekends. Kariya's youth are learning to "enjoy cars." Kariya's fathers are surprised. "Why play with cars?" Kariya's youth answer: "Because cars are fun." Kariya's fathers can't understand. For Kariya's fathers, cars are "work." But for Kariya's youth, cars are "hobbies." Kariya has generational gap. But Kariya's majority are still making parts in factories today. Dedicating their lives to "making" cars, not "enjoying" them. Kariya is "Toyota's shadow city." But Kariya residents live proudly in that shadow.