Akio Teams Up with Ichiro to Rediscover the Baseball Star's Roots

To mark the occasion, Akio presented Ichiro with an official Toyota letter of appointment, a personally handwritten business card, and an employee handbook.

Ichiro's first task as Special Assistant was to help Akio get to know his roots. To that end, the pair decided to visit cherished places from Ichiro's childhood in Aichi Prefecture.

The trip was taken in a new Century, with full commentary by Chairman Toyoda-Toyota's master driver and master passenger-making for lively conversation on board. Ichiro could barely contain his excitement.

They visited sites that make up Ichiro's baseball origins, including the field and batting center where he practiced as a grade-schooler. And in the genchi-genbutsu tradition, Akio shared in those childhood stories and the mindset that continues to guide Ichiro today.

At one point in the video, as Ichiro hits ground balls for the chairman to field, the pair can be heard shouting like spirited schoolboys. "Ready, Akio?" "Bring it!"

Come join them on a journey back to childhood.