Hiroshi Okuda, former Toyota president, dies at 93

Hiroshi Okuda, the former president of Toyota Motor Corporation and former head of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), has died at the age of 93.

Okuda made history at Toyota by becoming the first president not belonging to the founding Toyoda family in 28 years when he took the role in 1995. His leadership was defined by a strategy of aggressive global expansion, including increased production in the United States and the establishment of plants in Europe. He is widely credited with overseeing the development and 1997 launch of the Prius, the hybrid vehicle that established Toyota as a leader in environmental automotive technology.

Following his tenure as Toyota chairman, Okuda led Keidanren from 2002 to 2006. During his time heading the business federation, he was instrumental in merging major employer associations and revitalizing the organization's role in political fundraising.