Career: From Engineer to President
Koji Sato, born on October 19, 1969, in Tokyo, is the 12th President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation. After graduating from Waseda University in 1992 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he joined Toyota the same year.
Initially assigned to the Technical Administration Division, he soon transferred to the Chassis Design Department where he worked on the suspension systems for the first-generation Prius and Vista.
Sato later led the development of the North American Camry and moved to Lexus, where he oversaw the planning and development of the GS and LC models. He served as Executive Vice President and later President of Lexus International, as well as President of GAZOO Racing Company, focusing on motorsports-driven car development.
In April 2023, Sato succeeded Akio Toyoda as President and CEO of Toyota. He was officially registered as Representative Director and President in June 2023. Notably, he is the first engineer from outside the founding Toyoda family to become Toyota’s president.
Academic Background: Waseda-Born and Bred
Sato attended Waseda University Honjo Senior High School before enrolling at Waseda University’s School of Science and Engineering. His engineering mindset was shaped by his academic research on diesel combustion during university.
Personality: A True Car Enthusiast
Sato is well known for his deep love of cars. As a student, he worked part-time at a gas station and Fuji Speedway, and now owns vehicles like the Lexus LC, fourth-generation Supra (A80), and the iconic AE86 Corolla Levin.
He frequently checks used car listings and auctions for rare parts and vehicles. His passion extends beyond his professional life and into his hobbies.
A well-known episode reveals that in December 2022, while watching an endurance race in Thailand with Akio Toyoda (also known by his racing alias “Morizo”), Toyoda casually asked him, “Would you be president?”—a moment that changed Sato’s life forever.
Income and Compensation
According to the securities report filed on June 18, 2025, Koji Sato received a total compensation of ¥826 million (approx. $5.1 million USD) for the fiscal year 2024. This amount includes base salary, performance-based bonuses, and stock-based compensation. The figure places him among the highest-paid executives in Japan, reflecting both the scale of Toyota’s global operations and the weight of the responsibility he bears.
Nevertheless, Sato is known for prioritizing on-the-ground product development and brand building over personal financial reward.
Vision for the Future: Leading Toyota into the Next Mobility Era
Sato has expressed his desire to “remain a car-building president” and to “protect the intrinsic value of cars while proposing new forms of mobility.” He stands at the helm as Toyota navigates challenges in electrification, hydrogen power, and the evolving global mobility landscape.
