Shoichiro Toyoda, honorary chairman of Toyota Motor Corp., died of heart failure on Tuesday. He was 97.
Also a former chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), Toyoda laid the foundation for Toyota to make a significant leap forward into the global market.
Toyoda led the Japanese automobile industry, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters at the Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday. "He also led the nation's economy as Keidanren chairman. I will pray for the repose of his soul."