DAIHATSU ONE!

November 27, 2025

Daihatsu Skills Competition: Skills That Lead into the Future and a Circle of Exchange That Connects People

Developing Human Resources

  • DaihatsuGroup
  • SkillsCompetition
  • Takumi

Once a year, the Daihatsu Group holds the Daihatsu Skills Competition!
“Competitors” who have advanced through qualifiers from Daihatsu Group companies in Japan and overseas gather to demonstrate skills they’ve honed.
The purpose of this competition is not merely to determine winners, but to encourage the succession of skills and the growth of people. It’s also an event in which the power of manufacturing is passed on to the future.

Once a year, the Daihatsu Group holds the Daihatsu Skills Competition!
“Competitors” who have advanced through qualifiers from Daihatsu Group companies in Japan and overseas gather to demonstrate skills they’ve honed.
The purpose of this competition is not merely to determine winners, but to encourage the succession of skills and the growth of people. It’s also an event in which the power of manufacturing is passed on to the future.

The History of the Daihatsu Skills Competition

The Memorable First Competition

The first Daihatsu Skills Competition was held in December 2012 at the Head (Ikeda) Plant 2nd District. At that time, it was open to young, skilled employees aged 30 and under, and included six roles: press, body, painting, assembly, quality control, and equipment maintenance. Fifty-nine competitors demonstrated their skills honed through daily practice and engaged in fierce competition.

Expanding Categories, Rising Excitement

The following year, in 2013, the Unit Division was added, expanding the competition to 11 roles. Qualifiers were held at each plant, and company-wide initiatives like open submissions for slogans and posters were launched to boost excitement.

Starting in 2018, several suppliers such as DAIHATSU METAL and AKASHI-KIKAI INDUSTRY began participating, and the competition evolved beyond an internal event into a venue for skill exchange between internal and external participants.

Before the start of the 7th competition, everyone performed radio exercises together.

Passion Continues! Report on the 11th Competition

The slogan for the 11th competition was “Pride and Inspiration in Our Skills—Technical Capability That Continues into the Future.”
The interviews feature the competitors’ serious expressions and their determination to represent their companies and departments. Please take a look!

Video production: Yamada
Filming: Ashida, Iwamoto, Jyo, Hashimoto, Hoshikawa, Yamada

Comments Behind the Scenes: Expanding the Spirit of Challenge and Deepening Connections

We interviewed Mr. Dousaki from the Kyoto (Oyamazaki) Plant and Mr. Hirooka from the Shiga (Ryuo) Plant, who served as members of the executive committee for this year’s competition.

Kyoto (Oyamazaki) Plant: Mr. Dousaki

—What were some of the challenges you faced in organizing and preparing for the competition?
(Mr. Dousaki) This year, we added new competition categories so that more competitors from across the Daihatsu Group could take on the challenge. That was especially difficult. To ensure fairness while making the competition meaningful for skill improvement, our team engaged in many rounds of discussions and adjustments.
Going forward, we hope to continue raising the overall level of the competition through higher-level rivalry and expanding the circle of taking on challenges.

—Thanks to the efforts of the organizing team, the circle of taking on challenges continues to grow. Please share a message for the competitors who participated in this year’s competition!
(Mr. Dousaki) Even for those who unfortunately missed out on winning an award, I want them to feel proud of having made it through qualifiers and stood on this stage as representatives of their plants. And for those who won awards, please take pride and boast about it! I also hope you actively share your success with your junior colleagues. When younger employees say, “I want to be like that senior,” that admiration becomes the spark for the next challenge. I sincerely hope excellent skills continue to be passed on in such a way.

Shiga (Ryuo) Plant: Mr. Hirooka

—What kind of event do you hope this competition is for the competitors?
(Mr. Hirooka) I hope it becomes a place for building connections. After the competition, we create opportunities for competitors who participated in the same category to sit down together, introduce themselves, and discuss their skills and ideas. When they meet again at work later, it surely makes collaboration easier. I hope it serves as a starting point for forming meaningful connections between people.
Also, the winners of each competition category have the opportunity to visit overseas locations as part of an exchange program. Winning opens doors to new worlds. I’m glad if participants can grow even further through such experiences.

—I see. It sounds like personal connections are an important part of the Daihatsu Skills Competition. Finally, please share a message for future competitors!
(Mr. Hirooka) The two to three months after being selected to compete are a very valuable time to work closely with your coach and supervisor. In daily work, it’s often hard to find time for in-depth conversations, but when working together toward the same goal, conversations naturally arise. I believe that time builds mutual trust and strengthens team bonds. I hope those who competed this time will pass on their experience to the next generation. I look forward to seeing more colleagues take on new challenges and watching the circle of manufacturing grow even wider.

A Place to Compete, Learn, and Connect

As Mr. Hirooka mentioned in his interview, the Daihatsu Skills Competition also serves as a place for exchange. Employees from Japan and overseas, who normally wouldn’t have the chance to meet, come face to face to compete and learn from one another. There’s a shared passion and pride that transcend borders and departments.

The Daihatsu Skills Competition continues to evolve, not only as a contest of skills but also as a place that fosters the succession of skills and the bonds of camaraderie that lead into the future!

Written by: Sakamoto, Digital Transformation Promotion Div. (internal concurrent role)

◆Websites of Participating Companies

AKASHI-KIKAI INDUSTRY Co., Ltd.
Automobile Parts Development and Manufacturing | AKASHI-KIKAI INDUSTRY Co., Ltd.

D-ACT Co., Ltd.
Company Overview and Business History | Corporate information | D-ACT Co., Ltd.
https://share.google/Sex2fejsRcubGHU16 (Source: Instagram)

DAIHATSU METAL CO., LTD.
DAIHATSU METAL CO., LTD.

Fuji Seat Co., Ltd.
FujiSeat

DAIHATSU MOTOR KYUSHU CO., LTD.
DAIHATSU MOTOR KYUSHU CO., LTD.

PT Astra Daihatsu Motor (ADM)
Daihatsu Indonesia - Merk Mobil Keluarga Terbaik, Mobil Terlaris 2025

Perodua Manufacturing Sd. Bhd.
Building Cars People First | Perodua

Daihatsu Perodua Engine Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. (DPEM)
https://www.dpem.com.my/

The people in this article

  • Global Production Promotion Center

    Dousaki

  • Global Production Promotion Center

    Hirooka

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