AMA hosted an Inspirational Interactive Session on “Osamu Suzuki: Life, Leadership & Legacy” to pay special tribute to the Legend Late Mr. Osamu Suzuki who inspired the business community and the younger generation.
Mr. Kinji Saito (Director, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan with over Four Decades of close association with Suzuki) presented the key-note address and threw light on the global vision of Mr. Osamu Suzuki based on the Spirit of Real Entrepreneur. Mr. Osamu Suzuki was a man of action. He was practicing DPCA, which means if an idea comes up, first Do, then Plan, Check and Act for improvement, instead of PDCA. He focused on flexibility of the mind, thinking of countermeasures in a different way than normal people, and realizing the solution with fewer resources.
Dr. Hitesh Shukla (Professor, Department of Business Management, Saurashtra University, Rajkot; Expert on Family Business & Governance) presented the learning’s from Life, Leadership and Legacy. Prof. Shukla said that “under the inspirational leadership of Mr. Osamu Suzuki who believed in “we will do business where we can be No. 1,” Suzuki Motor Corporation set milestones in India and will continue the legacy of Late Osamu Suzuki.”
Dr. Savan Godiawala (President of AMA) said that “Mr. Osamu Suzuki was a legend of the global Automotive Industry. He had a profound affection for India and Gujarat and his collaboration with Maruti revolutionized the Indian automobile market and contributed to employability, Indian Economy and sustainable development.”
Mr. Mukesh Patel (Honorary Consul of Japan, Gujarat) said that “Late Mr. Osamu Suzuki ignited the Indian Auto-Industry and scaled it to amazing heights over the past four decades. His visionary work reshaped global perceptions of mobility and under his dynamic leadership Suzuki Motor Corporation became a global powerhouse. We have fond memories of his transformative impact on India’s automobile industry and the strengthening of Indo-Japanese business ties.”
Hon’ble Governor of Shizuoka Prefectural Government Mr. Yasutomo Suzuki said that “He had been like a father to me for more than 20 years, greatly helping me on personal and professional levels. He was a man of remarkable vision. On December 24, 2024, Shizuoka Prefecture signed a friendship agreement with the State of Gujarat, one of the Indian states where Suzuki Motor operates. And it was on the following day, December 25 that Osamu Suzuki passed away, as if he had witnessed the signing of the agreement. To ensure that his wishes will be honored, we at Shizuoka Prefecture are committed to strengthening relationships with the State of Gujarat and other Indian stakeholders, thereby helping foster goodwill and friendship between Japan and India. In doing so, we hope he will rest in peace.”
H.E. Mr. Keiichi Ono (Ambassador of Japan to India, Embassy of Japan, New Delhi) said that Former Chairman of the Suzuki Motor Corporation Late Osamu Suzuki was also instrumental in nurturing enduring friendship between India and Japan. He was respecting the cultural preferences of the diverse workforce and inclusive spirit. His legacy will inspire many generations to come.
H.E. Mr. Sibi George (Ambassador of India to Japan, Embassy of India, Tokyo) remembered the memorable occasion at the Indian Embassy in Tokyo in May, 2024, when His Excellency honoured Mr. Osamu Suzuki for his transformative impact on India’s automobile industry and the strengthening of Indo-Japanese business ties through playing the sterling role and pioneering India’s Automotive Revolution!
Ambassador Sujan R. Chinoy (Director General, MP-IDSA, Former Ambassador of India to Japan, Honorary Patron Advisor IJFA, Gujarat) said that “winning the hearts and minds of India customers with the vast array of the products, the Suzuki Patriarch continue to champion the cause of Japanese investments in India throughout his life. On each occasion, he provided new insights and observations about promoting the special strategic and global partnership between India and Japan. Under his guidance, Maruti Suzuki India set up a Japan India Centre for Manufacturing to promote vocational training as part of the Skill India Program. His rich contributions will forever remain part of the History and Folklore of our ties with Japan.”
Mr. Hideaki Domichi (Former Ambassador of Japan to India, Senior Director, Suzuki Motor Corporation) said that “every word he said seemed to me like deep wisdom that had never been written anywhere else. I retired as Ambassador to India in 2011, but I continued to exchange ideas with Chairman Osamu Suzuki. What made me most happy were the New Year’s cards that arrived every year. Mr. Osamu Suzuki was exceptionally close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
