YAZAKI: Past, present, future. We are connected. YAZAKI: Past, present, future. We are connected.

Welding an Aroace, Hamamatsu Factory (2013)

EPISODE

The enduring passion of Yazaki’s employees

This section presents a look at episodes symbolizing the “Yazaki Spirit is Imagination,” 
an attitude that remains unchanged since our predecessors built the company 75 years ago.

HOME The enduring passion of Yazaki’s employees A free lodging house at Expo ’70 for all Yazaki employees, their families and even part-time workers

EXPO'70

A free lodging house at Expo ’70 for all Yazaki employees, their families and even part-time workers

A free night with breakfast

In March 1970, the curtain closed on Expo ’70 in the Senri Hills of Suita City, Osaka. Expo ’70 was the first World Exposition to be held in Asia. Held for 183 days between March 14 and September 13, Expo ’70 was celebrated as an event that again put Japan on the international stage following the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. While a moon rock displayed in the United States’ pavilion generated particular interest among the Japanese public, all of the pavilions had long lines of people waiting to go inside. A total of 64.21 million people (1.7 million of whom were foreigners) visited the event during its run, with the single-day record being set at 830,000 people.

Quite naturally, everyone wanted to go, but many who desperately wanted to see the expo had to give up because all of the hotels were fully booked.

When Yazaki’s founder, Sadami Yazaki, heard employees’ disappointment for being unable to go, he immediately said, “Well then, let’s create a simple lodging house for the summer!” With this, a “Yazaki Group Expo Lodging House” was set up at Yazaki Corporation’s then Shiga Branch Office in Ritto, Shizuoka Prefecture (a five-minute walk from Ritto Interchange on the Meishin Expressway). The facility was comprised of two wings, each having a 52-person capacity, and thus creating enough space for 104 guests.

It is particularly worth noting that not only Yazaki employees, but also their families and even part-timers were permitted to stay there. A free self-service breakfast was also provided. Guests returning from the expo could even enjoy a meal and drink there (for a fee). Although, in principle, expenses were borne by the guests, the company did provide some support. For example, it seems that with the company’s help, a person going to the expo from Numazu by Shinkansen could travel round trip for just 8,110 yen. A headline of the in-house publication Yazaki News from the time amusingly states “Sunglasses and a straw hat are essential! Leave your tie at home.” This episode plainly illustrates Yazaki’s “family-oriented management.”