Toyo

Toyo is a romanization used for several Japanese terms, most commonly representing the kanji 東洋 (tōyō), meaning "eastern" or "Orient." Because of this, Toyo appears frequently in place names, institutions, and brand names to evoke Asian heritage, geography, or identity. The spelling Toyo is also used with other kanji combinations, so its exact meaning can vary depending on the characters chosen.

As a personal name, Toyo can be a given name or a surname in Japan and among Japanese communities, with different possible kanji spellings that convey various nuances.

In modern usage, Toyo appears across education and industry. Toyo University is a private university in Tokyo. Toyo Tires is a tire brand produced by Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd., a Japanese manufacturer known for passenger and commercial tires. The Toyo Seikan Group Holdings, Ltd. is a major packaging company. Historically, Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. was the original name of Mazda Motor Corporation, the automotive manufacturer that later adopted Mazda as its brand.

Outside corporate naming, Toyo also appears in historical, literary, and geographical contexts within Japan and East Asia, where the term can denote Eastern origins or associations depending on the kanji used. Because the meaning hinges on the chosen characters, the exact interpretation of a given Toyo name varies by context.

In summary, Toyo is a versatile Japanese term used in language and naming to convey eastern or oriental associations, and it is found in a range of contemporary organizations, educational institutions, and personal names.