Toyota Tsusho's Human Resources Principle^*1 is to realize its management strategies based on "Genchi, Genbutsu, Genjitsu (On site, hands on, in touch)." Accordingly, from the perspective of overall optimization, Toyota Tsusho will employ, develop, and advance employees who can collaborate and lead the way to an even better future. Under this principle, Toyota Tsusho positions diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) as a management foundation that enables diverse human capital to use their capabilities to the fullest, and is advancing reforms toward flexible and productive ways of working.

Toyota Tsusho also regards dual careers and co-parenting as a prerequisite for enabling each employee to build a medium- to long-term career and continue taking on new challenges. Regardless of gender, it is expanding a range of systems and encouraging their use to support employees in achieving work-life balance through flexible work styles.

In particular, Toyota Tsusho has been promoting new values by introducing the concept of "childcare learning," in which childcare leave is not considered a "vacation" but rather an "opportunity to learn," since 2023. To make this concept take root not as a mere policy but as the attitude of each and every employee, it is creating work environments that include the expansion of systems that support work-life balance.

From 2025, to further advance these efforts, Toyota Tsusho established the Human Company Taskforce, a company-wide cross-functional council bringing together officers from each division. The taskforce has begun discussing and making decisions each month on issues related to people and organizations as a management agenda. This approach not only builds systems for women's empowerment, but also translates into behavioral change through integrated action by both management and frontline employees.

This award aims to help develop the next generation of African talent and vibrant, resilient communities through the discovery and support of young African artists.

In the selection process, 35 art professionals active around the world, including curators and art critics, participated as nominators through the global networks of Toyota Tsusho and CFAO. Approximately 100 artists representing local art scenes across Africa were nominated. From these, a shortlist of 12 artists was established based on originality, coherence, and relevance. Following a rigorous screening process conducted by 10 jury members, five award recipients were named across five prizes categories: one Grand Prize, two Distinguished Awards, and two Sponsor Awards.

Representative works by the winners will be exhibited starting with an exhibition in the Republic of Togo in June, followed by exhibitions in Japan and France.

Through this award, Toyota Tsusho will support promising artists from Africa, and together, help create the continent's future. In Japan, an exhibition is scheduled to take place in Tokyo in October.