"Olympic Public Opinion Unsettling"... Toyota Halts All Olympic Ads in Japan

Toyota "An Incomprehensible Olympics"
Toyota Official Decides to Skip Opening Ceremony as Well

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Toyota Motor Corporation, a sponsor of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, has announced its intention to withhold TV advertisements related to the Olympics within Japan.

According to Kyodo News on the 19th, Jun Nagata, Toyota's public relations officer, pointed out during an online press conference held that day that "the Olympics are becoming increasingly difficult to understand" regarding a series of developments related to the Olympics, and revealed plans to withhold advertisements.

Toyota did not clearly state the reasons, but it is presumed that the worsening public opinion toward the Olympics is the background for withholding TV advertisements.

Kyodo analyzed that Toyota likely made this decision based on concerns that TV advertisements could intensify criticism toward athletes participating in the Olympics or damage the company's image.

Toyota had originally planned advertisements that conveyed the spirit of the athletes rather than directly promoting its products.

However, it is interpreted that they judged even this could have a counterproductive effect.

Toyoda Akio, president of Toyota Motor Corporation, and other company officials have also decided not to attend the opening ceremony.

Nevertheless, according to Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Toyota will provide vehicles for transporting event officials almost as originally planned and will not change its plan to mention and support athletes on its website.

Toyota's withholding of advertisements and absence from the opening ceremony are seen as symbolic events demonstrating the market's severely deteriorated judgment of the Olympics.

According to the Olympic Organizing Committee, Toyota is one of the 14 'Worldwide Olympic Partners,' the highest tier among Olympic sponsors, alongside Samsung Electronics, Panasonic, and Coca-Cola.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.