Here is a photo from the recent Tokyo mini-reunion with Dr. Oe, Mr. Hayakawa and Mr. Matsuura. Dr. Oe was recruited by DIC from his teaching position at the Kushu University to start research on new printing plate. He became the champion to build plate factory in Japan and he successfully built not only the factory but also the technical staff as well. His contribution was not unnoticed and when Kodak Polychrome asked DIC to fully transfer him to KPG to become executive, Mr. Okumura, then president said simply that he has another idea. This another idea lead Dr. Oe to rapidly move up within DIC and resulted in his becoming president and then chairman of DIC. Mr. Hayakawa succeeded Dr. Oe to run Gunma R&D. His concept of training R&D personnel to work vertically, that is, to start from synthesis to final product produced many competent all around research chemists and engineers. Mr. Mastuura has a technical background but under Dr. Oe he has developed into a strong technical/marketing person and when KPG was formed he was named plate marketing manager and then head of KPG. When KPG became Kodak he was named the head of Kodak Japan. He currently serves as an executive at Mutoh Industries.
At this reunion, Dr. Oe was nursing his neck injuries he suffered from a fall but said he still runs every day for about an hour. Mr. Hayakawa was about to retire in July but was asked to extend his service a bit longer. (This reunion was intended originally for his "graduation" but was a bit premature!) Mr. Matuura is enjoying various challenges at his new post. We promised each other to meet again.
Dr. Oe, Mr. Hayakawa, Mr. Matsuura and me in Tokyo Ginza
