From Ambassador (The story of the new "kizuna" created by the "Yazaki Kizuna Scholarship)
2025/5/16
"Yazaki Corporation” is a company with deep ties to Samoa.
This company primarily produces wire harnesses used as automotive parts. And from 1991 to 2017, it had a large production factory located in Vaitele, near Apia. The products were sent to automotive manufacturing plants that existed in Australia at the time. At one point, it is said that over 3,600 people were employed as production line workers in the factory. The production line operated 24 hours a day in two shifts, morning and night. Naturally, at that time, it was the top employer in Samoa, and the wire harnesses exported accounted for over 80% of Samoa's exports.
However, in 2017, automobile production in Australia came to a halt, and the factory lost its buyer for the products it manufactured. The company was forced to shut down the factory.
Usually, this is where the story ends. However, what is remarkable about this company is that, in order to maintain the "kizuna" they had built in Samoa, they established a fund, named "Yazaki Kizuna Fund" and began to run a scholarship program to support Samoan students who wish to study.
On May 8th, scholarship award ceremonies were held at two locations: the University of the South Pacific (USP) Samoa Campus and the National University of Samoa. I was also honored to participate and, delivered congratulatory remarks.
Among the "students" who received scholarships, there were individuals who already had jobs and children. Some expressed their gratitude for the award with tears in their eyes. Even if the name of "Yazaki Corporation" were to fade from the memories of Samoans in the future, those recipients will not forget the scholarship they received from the fund. It was a day where I felt that a new "kizuna" is beginning to take a firm root in this island through this scholarship.
「Photo：NUS /USP Samoa Campus」
This company primarily produces wire harnesses used as automotive parts. And from 1991 to 2017, it had a large production factory located in Vaitele, near Apia. The products were sent to automotive manufacturing plants that existed in Australia at the time. At one point, it is said that over 3,600 people were employed as production line workers in the factory. The production line operated 24 hours a day in two shifts, morning and night. Naturally, at that time, it was the top employer in Samoa, and the wire harnesses exported accounted for over 80% of Samoa's exports.
However, in 2017, automobile production in Australia came to a halt, and the factory lost its buyer for the products it manufactured. The company was forced to shut down the factory.
Usually, this is where the story ends. However, what is remarkable about this company is that, in order to maintain the "kizuna" they had built in Samoa, they established a fund, named "Yazaki Kizuna Fund" and began to run a scholarship program to support Samoan students who wish to study.
On May 8th, scholarship award ceremonies were held at two locations: the University of the South Pacific (USP) Samoa Campus and the National University of Samoa. I was also honored to participate and, delivered congratulatory remarks.
Among the "students" who received scholarships, there were individuals who already had jobs and children. Some expressed their gratitude for the award with tears in their eyes. Even if the name of "Yazaki Corporation" were to fade from the memories of Samoans in the future, those recipients will not forget the scholarship they received from the fund. It was a day where I felt that a new "kizuna" is beginning to take a firm root in this island through this scholarship.
「Photo：NUS /USP Samoa Campus」