Preface
I have been writing about Taiji Miwasaki (myself) considerably in essays,
travel notes and even novels. But to my regret, there are few writings
during his days with Hayatama Steel (a pseudonym) just after his graduation
from university until the age of 48.
This period was, so to speak, when he had some of both looks and substance
while he got splinters and insect bites. Therefore he is sure to remember
those days comparatively well. Nevertheless he is reluctant to tell such
things to me.
They must have been memories more with regret than with pleasure. Among
them, failures and grudges.
To make it worse, the most people involved could still be in good health
and have been keeping company with him.
However, he is now in late 70s. He accepted me to write his such memories
even with some obstacles, considering his age.
So, I used the place names around Kii Peninsula, his home district, for
all the characters and all the Japanese companies in order to avoid any
possible frictions.
The story starts from the time Taiji Miwasaki becomes a member of society,
when he graduated from H University in Tokyo and entered Hayatama Steel
in Nagoya.
He experiences personnel matters and production process control for 5 years
at the steel casting plant. After that, he is sent to the U.S as a student
for 1 year. Everything went well with him until then.
However, the next several years at the head office and the sales dept.
are tough to him. He trips, falls and gets injured, while he makes his
effort in this period.
He misses the life near New York City with his family. The results of his
work are rather satisfactory. But this stage suddenly ends in 2 and a half
years. During the business trip to Japan by chance, brain infarction attacks
him.
He is not allowed to return to the U.S. His wife and 2 children are forced
to get back to Japan. The elder daughter stays another year to finish senior
high school.
Miwasaki gets back to work at Tokyo Office after medical treatment for
3 months.
For 3 years since then, it cannot be said that he has worked pleasantly.
He leaves Hayatama Steel at the age of 48 with no particular aim in mind.
The above 25 years are Taiji Miwasaki's "The days with Hayatama Steel."
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