Toyota Revs Up in Japan

More good news from the auto industry: Toyota Motor Corp. says it plans to hire 800 temporary workers this fall in Japan.

Sure, the jobs are far from our shores, but news that anyone, anywhere is hiring, let alone in the auto industry has got to mean something.

Tax breaks and subsidies, such as various Cash for Clunkers-type programs in pivotal markets has fueled auto sales in recent months.

Toyota has had a hiring freeze for temp workers since June of 2008.

Bloomberg reports that the new contracts will expire March next year, because the company cannot forecast whether auto sales will remain constant. Toyota currently has 1,500 contract factory workers in Japan, down from last year’s 10,000, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK.

Photo courtesy of raccerrobcc4 via Flickr.