TMC Extends Student Stipend Program in China

Nanning City, China, December 10, 2010―Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces that TMC and the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation¹ held a ceremony today at Nanning's Guangxi University to sign an agreement extending the Toyota Study Assistance Fund by three years.  Through the jointly established fund, TMC and the foundation have been providing stipends to university students in mid-western China since 2006.

Representatives of the universities involved in the program as well as personnel from the foundation and TMC attended the ceremony, at which TMC Executive Vice President Yukitoshi Funo said: "This program covers mid-western China², a region expected to undergo accelerating economic growth in the future.  Our decision to extend the program for another three years is based on our strong desire to continue supporting the development of human resources that will play a major role in the region's future."

Separately today, a ceremony was held to present stipends to recipients for the 2010³ year, the program's fifth.

In addition to financial assistance, the Toyota Study Assistance Fund offers students leadership training and opportunities to visit Japan.

Approximately 200 students at 20 universities in mid-western China have received stipends each year, for a total of 1,060 recipients over the past five years.  For the next three years, the number of universities will be increased to 25 and the number of students to 250 each year.  In addition, support for job-search activities will be provided.

TMC and its affiliates around the world have long engaged in diverse social contribution activities with a focus on human resource development, environmental protection and traffic safety.  Activities in the area of human resource development in China include the creation of the Liaoning Toyota Jinbei Technician Institute in Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, and, in collaboration with Tsinghua University's School of Public Policy, the establishment of a research center in Beijing.  With respect to environmental protection, TMC engages in afforestation programs to combat desertification in Hebei Province and has established the Toyota China Youth Environmental Protection Aid Program, which provides support for local environmental protection activities.  Regarding traffic safety, TMC conducts safe-driving events for the general public in collaboration with the Chinese Ministry of Public Security.

Through these initiatives, TMC seeks to be a good corporate citizen in China and plans to continue making a positive contribution to Chinese society.


¹One of China's oldest community-service organizations, established in May 1982 in memory of Soong Ching Ling, the late honorary president of the People's Republic of China.  The foundation has significant domestic and international influence and engages in the promotion of a wide range of independent activities, in areas that include exchanges between Taiwan and China, international exchanges, education of the needy, spreading scientific knowledge, children's culture and entertainment, sporting activities and assistance to underprivileged children.
²The following regions are covered by the program: Hubei Province, Hunan Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sichuan Province, Chongqing Municipality, Guizhou Province, Yunnan Province, Anhui Province, Jiangxi Province, Henan Province, Shaanxi Province, Shanxi Province, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Gansu Province, Jilin Province, Heilongjiang Province, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Qinghai Province, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Tibet Autonomous Region.
³From April 1 to March 31