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Yasuo Kono

Introducing the pioneers who laid the foundation for PACIFIC CONSULTANTS' development
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Yasuo Kono

Establishing the international status of Japanese consultants

He graduated from the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Tokyo in 1933 and joined the Ministry of Railways, retiring from the Ministry of Transport in 1946. After the war, he served as President PACIFIC CONSULTANTS and chairman the Japan Association of Consulting Engineers.

The self-centered student who is the fourth batter and pitcher

Baseball is inseparable from Kono's time at the University of Tokyo. "Kono was a pitcher and the fourth batter." His friends and acquaintances from that time unanimously agreed. No matter who decided what he wanted to do, whenever he tried to play baseball, he would always say, "I won't play unless I'm a pitcher and the fourth batter," and that's exactly what happened. At the time, the University of Tokyo held an inter-grade amateur baseball league once a year for friendly relations, and Kono was always on the mound for the national team. The powerful fastballs he hurled from his imposing physique were quite powerful. "He was a master fastball pitcher, even when we played catch at the side of the classroom during lunch break," recalls former Vice Minister of Construction Saburo Yamamoto, a classmate and golfing buddy of Kono until his later years.
Later, when he took charge of PACIFIC CONSULTANTS, he would say, "Usually, the head of a company is like the steering wheel of a ship, but Kono is both the steering wheel and the engine." This fiery temperament and vitality, which he displayed during this time, showed that his "autocratic" style was deeply rooted.
(Based on "Consultant Biographies: The Biography of Yasuo Kono" by Takahashi Motoaki, published by the Japan The Japan Civil Engineering Consultants Association in the quarterly magazine "JCCA for Tomorrow")

The Shintanna bully who made himself a man

Kono's presence at the Ministry of Railways first drew the attention of the civil engineering community in 1941, when he served as head of the Tan'na Engineering Division of the Atami Regional Facilities Department. At just 32 years old, he had become a leader commanding hundreds of subordinates, and his dexterity quickly garnered attention. His first job was as site supervisor for the new Tan'na Tunnel, which would carry bullet trains. The bullet trains were part of the Greater East Asia Plan, a wartime initiative that demonstrated Japan's power, and served as a major artery for transporting supplies and troops between Tokyo and Shimonoseki. (Omitted) Under Kono's direction, construction had been halted in January 1944, after digging 600 meters of the eastern entrance from Atami and 2,400 meters of the western entrance from Mishima. Kono himself worked tirelessly, wading up to his chest in spring water, but the war situation was becoming so dire that it was no longer possible to wait even for the completion of the new Tanna Tunnel. It is hard to imagine how disappointing it must have been for Kono, who had poured his heart and soul into the work.
However, these efforts have come to fruition today as the Shin-Tanna Tunnel on the Tokaido Shinkansen, but that's a story for another time.
As a postscript, the struggles of Kono and the other brave men who took on the Shin-Tanna Tunnel were turned into a novel by author Seiichi Funahashi and made into a film by Toho. The novel was titled "Otoko" and directed by Kunio Watanabe, with the role of Kono played by the popular actor of the time, Joji Oka. Oka, who played the lead role, visited Kono frequently and learned about the life of the Tunnel Man, which he then used in his performance.
(Based on "Consultant Biographies: The Biography of Yasuo Kono" by Takahashi Motoaki, published by the Japan The Japan Civil Engineering Consultants Association in the quarterly magazine "JCCA for Tomorrow")

Yasuo Kono's achievements

Service to the international community is our basic philosophy

Kono's first step in starting his overseas activities was to go to the United States in March 29. Kono, who had just been founded in PACIFIC CONSULTANTS Managing Director Chief Technical General Manager, was asked to act as a consultant in order to obtain a loan from the World Bank for the Aichi Water Project Project, a large-scale project that was groundbreaking at the time, which was started with the help of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
Since then, in parallel with domestic work, vigorous efforts for overseas business have begun. From the beginning of establishment Pacific Consultants Inc., I had a burning desire to go overseas. "We are prepared to make technology a lifelong profession, but for that to happen, our technology must be internationally acceptable." This is because serving the international community with that technology was the basic philosophy of Kono and his members. (omitted)
The enthusiasm for the establishment and management of the Japan Consulting and Engineering Association is particularly noteworthy. (omitted)
The Japan Consulting and Engineering Association (AJCE) saw the establishment in April 49. The association was approved as an incorporated association in August of Showa 52, but Kono was Executive Manager and chairman from the beginning of the establishment and worked hard to establish the international status of Japanese consultants. First, there was one result. The Japan Consulting and Engineering Association has joined the International Federation of Consulting and Engineers (FIDIC), which had been a pending issue until then. October 49. It was the fall when Kono was 69 years old. By joining FIDIC, the world's most prestigious organization, Japanese consultants have been recognized as part of the world's ranks. In later years, Kono was recommended and endorsed by the members of each country, and became the first Japanese to become the chairman of the FIDIC Standing Committee.

("Consultant Retsuden Yasuo Kono" Motoaki Takahashi The Japan Civil Engineering Consultants Association Quarterly magazine "JCCA for Tomorrow")

A sense of comradeship

PACIFIC CONSULTANTS PACIFIC CONSULTANTS its own unique character. It has its own distinctive features. It has its own family tradition. Anyone looking at it should be able to sense this immediately. (Omitted)
It is natural that the technical analysis of the projects we handle is carried out through teamwork and based on a sense of comradeship. (Omitted) In short, we say that comradeship or comradeship is the basis, but the counter question arises: how exactly can such a bond be achieved? What fosters a sense of solidarity? The answer to this is a leader. Without a strong, excellent leader who leads with his own convictions, there would be no comradeship, bond, or sense of solidarity. (Omitted)
A leader must be a leader. Half-hearted attitudes and instructions are nonsense. In fact, they can be harmful to comradeship. Leaders must also interact with their subordinates with human affection and provide constant, planned suggestions. Leadership without individuality is not appealing. They must have a strong, distinctive personality and not hesitate to encourage and motivate. They must constantly take the lead, be positive, and energetic, provide opportunities for discussion, and confirm the beliefs of their comrades. When leaders lead with confidence, they create a sense of trust. This is what allows them to become the center of comradeship.

("The Heart of the Next Cypress, Volume 3" by Yasuo Kono, published by PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD.)

Profile of Yasuo Kono

  1. Born in Takasago City, Hyogo Prefecture

  2. Graduated from the 5th High School Science Class A

  3. Graduated from the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo Imperial University

  4. Joined the Ministry of Railways. Became the head of the Tanna Engineering Division of the Atami Regional Facilities Department.

  5. Construction of the Shin-Tanna Tunnel for bullet trains

  6. He was the leader of the Matsushiro Underground Headquarters Construction Team until the end of the war.

  7. Retired from the Ministry of Transport. Director/Board Member Sanko Construction Co., Ltd.

  8. Engineer Shiraishi Foundation Construction Co., Ltd.

  9. PACIFIC CONSULTANTS Co., Ltd. founded

  10. Appointed President PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD.

  11. Received the Blue Ribbon Medal

  12. The Association of Japanese Consulting Engineers (AJCE) joins the Federation of International Consulting Engineers (FIDIC)

  13. Appointed chairman the Association of Japanese Consulting Engineers (AJCE)

  14. Received the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Third Class

  15. He passed away at the age of 81.

*Created from "Yohi no Kokoro Volume 3" by Yasuo Kono, published by PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD.

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