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Yasuo KAWANO

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

Photo by 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 the President of PACIFIC CONSULTANTS and the chairman the Association of Japanese Consulting Engineers.

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

Baseball is inseparable from KAWANO's time at the University of Tokyo. "KAWANO 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 KAWANO 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 KAWANO 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 KAWANO 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 KAWANO" by Motoaki TAKAHASHI, published by the Japan Civil Engineering Consultants Association in the quarterly magazine "JCCA for Tomorrow")

The Shin-Tanna bully who made himself a man

KAWANO's presence at the Ministry of Railways first drew the attention of the civil engineering community in 1941, when he served as the head of the Tanna 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 Tanna 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 KAWANO'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. KAWANO 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 KAWANO, 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 KAWANO 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 KAWANO played by the popular actor of the time, Joji OKA. OKA, who played the lead role, visited KAWANO 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 KAWANO" by Motoaki TAKAHASHI, published by the Japan Civil Engineering Consultants Association in the quarterly magazine "JCCA for Tomorrow")

Yasuo KAWANO's Achievements

Service to the international community is our basic philosophy

KAWANO's first step in starting his overseas activities was to go to the United States in March 29. KAWANO, who had just been the Managing Director, Chief Technical General Manager of PACIFIC CONSULTANTS that was just founded, was asked to act as a consultant in order to obtain a loan from the World Bank for the Aichi Water 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 of PACIFIC CONSULLTANTS 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 KAWANO and his members. (Omitted)
The enthusiasm for the establishment and management of the Association of Japanese Consulting Engineers is particularly noteworthy. The Association of Japanese Consulting Engineers (AJCE) was established in April 49. The association was approved as an incorporated association in August of Showa 52, but KAWANO was the 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 Association of Japanese Consulting Engineers 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 KAWANO 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, KAWANO was recommended and endorsed by the members of each country, and became the first Japanese to become the chairman of the FIDIC Standing Committee.

(Based on "Consultant Biographies: The Biography of Yasuo KAWANO" by Motoaki TAKAHASHI, published by the Japan Civil Engineering Consultants Association in the quarterly magazine "JCCA for Tomorrow")

Service to the international community is our basic philosophy

A sense of comradeship

PACIFIC CONSULTANTS has its own PACIFIC CONSULTANTS' 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 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 KAWANO, published by PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD.)

A sense of comradeship

Yasuo KAWANO's Profile

  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. Being the leader of the Matsushiro Underground Headquarters Construction Team until the end of the war

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

  8. Engineer of Shiraishi Foundation Construction Co., Ltd.

  9. PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD. founded

  10. Appointed as the President of 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 as the chairman of the Association of Japanese Consulting Engineers (AJCE)

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

  15. Passed away at the age of 81.

*Created from "The Heart of the Next Cypress, Volume 3" by Yasuo KAWANO, published by PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD.

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