Over the weekend, Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda was spotted decked out in full-on MAGA gear at a NASCAR event in Japan. Smiling, he wore a Trump-Vance 2024 shirt and a classic red Make America Great Again hat. Akio Toyoda hosted the patriotic-themed NASCAR event in Japan with the goal of promoting American car culture in Japan. He also said he wants to work with President Trump to make tariffs a “winner for everyone.” With a toothy grin, “Make America Great Again” hat and Trump-Vance T-shirt, Akio Toyoda hosted a star-spangled barbecued all-American NASCAR spectacle at Fuji Speedway in a new charm offensive aimed not only at motorsports fans and diplomats but possibly also U.S. tariffs. Against the backdrop of global trade tensions, the Toyota Motor Corp. chairman billed the extravaganza, held in conjunction with an endurance race at the Toyota-owned circuit, as an international celebration of car culture and proof of Japan’s love for Motown metal. U.S. Ambassador George Glass accompanied the charismatic Toyota front man at the Nov. 16 event, which showcased a demonstration run of six NASCAR machines specially shipped over for the occasion, with a clutch of star drivers to wow the American flag-waving crowd. The men held court at the starting line, as the Japanese executive popped on a MAGA hat and peeled off his coat to reveal a “Trump-Vance Make America Great Again 2024” T-shirt. Speaking before the event, Toyoda suggested it’s only natural some countries resort to tariffs to protect certain industries. But business leaders, he said shouldn’t forget consumers. “I’m not here to argue whether tariffs are good or bad. Every national leader wants to protect their own auto industry,” Toyoda said. “We are exploring ways to make tariffs a winner for everyone. The people we want most to be winners are our customers.” The NASCAR run, featuring top drivers Jimmie Johnson, John Hunter Nemechek and Kamui Kobayashi, was more than a motorsports novelty. It is one of several quiet gestures Japan is deploying to signal openness to American car culture and U.S. auto exports at a moment when Japanese carmakers are being battered by tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Toyoda said his company’s role is to promote the auto industry wherever it does business. “On the ground, we are working to properly nurture this core industry,” he said. “This is a vital vehicle figuratively speaking that creates stable employment and sustainable investment for a country.” Days after Akio Toyoda proudly showed his support for President Trump and the MAGA movement, the Toyota company announced a massive $912 investment in U.S. manufacturing. It’s expected to create hundreds of new jobs for Americans. The investments are expected to create 252 new jobs according to Toyota.