Chapter 46 Yesterday's dream is brilliant today

The dream of yesterday is the dream of the Yamato nation of Japan hoping to rule the world. Today's glory is the glory of modern Japan leading the world trend with its indisputable economic strength. The children and grandchildren of Shunroku Hata, Isamu Yokoyama, and Iwanagao visit the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo every year.In that big temple-like house, there are the spiritual tablets of their father and grandfather, as well as their father's and grandfather's last wishes. Nakahata Koichi's grandson and Japanese writer Nakahata Yu wrote in his book: "Although the radios and tape recorders with the words 'Made in Japan' are sound-producing machines, it is impossible to spread the Japanese voice of what Japan is from there to foreign countries. Japan's self-proclaimed power is not made by human voices, but by human voices. It's done with goods made in Japan that can't speak..."

One day in the spring of 1993, I took a Nissan "Isuzu" car and went to Chengqiao Town, Panyu County, Guangdong Province to purchase Japanese electrical appliances.Panyu is the place where the protagonist of this book, the anti-Japanese hero and Communist general Yu Chengwan, studied at a normal school in 1918. More than 80 years have passed, and the people of Panyu have no idea who Yu Chengwan is, but they know him well. SHARP (Sharp)", "SANYO (Sanyo)", "SONY (Sony)", "NATIONAL (Panasonic)", "TOSHIBA (Toshiba)", "CYOWN (Crown)" These are the trademarks of famous Japanese products.I want to go to Shiqiao to buy a color TV. In Shiqiao, there is currently the most super smuggled home appliance city in the People’s Republic of China. In this city, there are customers from all over the country, and Japanese products are all here. Overlord the world.

The Japanese not only captured China's huge market with Japanese industrial products like knives and guns, but even powerful countries and regions such as the United States, Russia, and Western Europe were afraid of its advance.In fact, Japan's efforts today have already begun since the day it was defeated. After the emperor announced his surrender, Akio Morita, the founder of Sony Electronics, recalled that he was an officer at the time and wanted to rush back to the station. Because the officer had special care, he successfully bought a ticket for the late train.Sitting at the station waiting for the train, he looked at the chaos of war and thought he might have to wait all night.But unexpectedly, the train arrived at the station exactly, which is the embodiment of pure Japanese spirit.

In 1946, occupying forces took over NHK, the Japanese equivalent of the BBC.They needed new technical equipment such as mixers, studio equipment, broadcasting equipment, etc. A Japanese electrical engineer, Ibuka, who was familiar with these things, submitted a quotation and signed a contract with the NBC to build a large broadcast mixing system.The American in charge of the project was a brigadier general. He visited Jingshen's small shed to learn about this unknown factory and its operating conditions, and to discuss the details of the project.The brigadier general was taken aback when he saw how primitive the workshop was, and kept shaking his head.He couldn't understand why the NBC people would recommend such a small, unknown company working in primitive conditions.Jing Shen's friends had no choice but to ask the general to believe in the Japanese guarantee.Finally the brigadier general was persuaded and accepted the recommendation.But he was still very worried about the poor working shed with a deep well, and suggested that they prepare sand buckets and water around the house to prevent fires.

When the contract time came, Jing Shen sent the equipment to the NBC main station.The main station is only half a mile from General MacArthur's headquarters in downtown Tokyo.Everyone was amazed by the quality of the equipment, especially the brigadier general who was full of doubts.He was amazed that a new and small company working in a handicraft workshop could produce such beautiful high-tech equipment. He admired and feared the Japanese. Decades later, Ibuka became the chairman of a world-famous large Japanese company, and he was as majestic as a marshal. In Showa 33, the situation of the Japanese "Honda" manufacturing plant was as difficult as its manager Soichiro.Soichiro made a bold speech in front of his colleagues in the business store: he decided to participate in the world's largest motorcycle race - the TT race held in the Isle of Man, England, and declared:

"The purpose of participating in the TT competition is to win the championship." In fact, the racing cars launched by their factory did absorb the advantages of overseas motorcycles, but the basis of absorption was the advantages of the vehicles held in the competition in Hiladir Salpa.That race was nothing more than second-rate moto racing. In comparison, the TT competition is super class.It brings together the world's top-notch motorcycles and machinery, and competes in a 400-kilometer race on the Isle of Man to decide the outcome.Every motorcycle manufacturer and related technicians want to compete for the winner in this competition.

Soichiro, who has not tried the world's first-class manufacturer, even made big claims about winning the championship. Of course, it was an imprudent move.However, no matter how careless others think, Soichiro has no intention of taking a step back.Because he believes that participating in the TT competition has the following two meanings: "First, it is impossible to take the world's motorcycle market from Italy and Germany, but it can make us understand the technical level of advanced manufacturers. Second, it can make Japan, which seems somewhat sentimental after its defeat There is a little hope sprouting in the human mind, and there is a vibration like a big wave caused by Hiroyuki Furuhashi's swimming."

Soichiro asserts like a general: "In these difficult times, which are depressing and deteriorating, if a world record can be set in a certain aspect of the world, it may inspire the courage of the people. I don't have the physical strength of Furuhashi, but I have technology. Use technology The victory of the mind will definitely bring great hope to the Japanese and have a great influence on the young people." Soichiro cheered himself up from the rash act of choosing to participate in the competition, and at the same time he also inspired the people.Similarly, this also shows his pursuit and confidence in the future: once he has chosen the goal of participating in the competition, he will move towards this direction without hesitation.

In the second year (Showa 34), Soichiro's "Honda" placed 6th in the 125cc class of the Isle of Man TT Grand Prix.Two years later, in Showa 36, ​​I won the Grand Prix of the TT Contest! Soichiro's dream has come true. Soichiro is not the only Japanese who realizes his dream? Hiratani, president of Japan's "Mitsubishi" Heavy Industries, said that our next goal is to open a product showroom in New York. I studied the city and learned that if I want to reach out to rich people who can afford Our upmarket place, well, 5th Avenue is that kind of place.I wandered around Fifth Avenue in mid-Manhattan, paying attention to the passing of merchants and shops. The place that left a deep impression on me was on the east side of Fifth Avenue, about a section between 45th Street and 56th Street, because This seems to belong to the most luxurious section on this street.When I was looking for a suitable floor to rent, I saw that there were many national flags, but no Japanese flag.I made up my mind and opened a showroom, and we were the first to fly the Japanese flag on 5th Avenue.

The president's tone reminds me of the arrogance of the commander of the 116th Division of the Japanese Army, Iwa Yongwang.He said, today, all our "Mitsubishi" factories are hoisting the Japanese flag, the company flag, and the national flag of the country where they are stationed. Our flags have been planted all over the world. On behalf of our Japan, stand up our Japanese mark proudly! During that bitter summer, when we went to interview Li Jinxin, an anti-Japanese veteran in Zaoshanchong, a suburban county of Changsha, he said a thought-provoking sentence: "The Japanese are so powerful, be vigilant!"