Motocross fan
"I was doing motorcycles during my studies and rode bikes like the DT200 and RD250 for transportation. By the way do you remember Damon Bradshaw? I've seen him riding Supercross in Japan and was very impressed. He became a kind of hero for me, he was such a nice guy and he rode Yamaha also. When it came to looking for a job, I wanted to work for a motorcycle maker, which in Japan means there are only 4 choices. You can imagine it was clear which one was my favourite!"

From Japan to Europe
"I started as Motorcycle Sales Manager for the Japanese domestic market, and after 4 years I moved to the Motorcycle Product Planning division.
There I was responsible for the European markets, so I had to travel a lot to Europe to understand the real market conditions.
In Product Planning we have to originate and guide the development of all the new models and model changes. We check the trends and do a lot of research and analysis in the markets as well as interviewing many customers."

Yamaha spirit
"Yamaha always want to devise exceptional concepts and the most important thing before starting any new concept is to really be close to our customers. It means to understand how they use bikes, what they need and want, and how to exceed their expectations. In essence, it is how to provide the Yamaha spirit of Kando."

Culture Shock
"My first visit to Europe was in 1996, when we did research for the bike that eventually became the FJR1300."
"We did a motorbike trip of around 3000 kilometres through Germany, France and Italy. That was a very useful experience for me!
For example we did high cruising speeds of around 200 km/h on the Autobahn, it was something I had never experienced! Of course I had heard about it, but actually feeling that speed within your body is very different! I thought we were so fast but then a Porsche appeared in the mirror to overtake us….
It made me clearly understand how important acceleration and braking performance at those speeds are, not on paper but in physical reality!
It was a kind of culture shock. But now, I really like it: riding on the Autobahn, on pass roads in the Alps, even inside Paris: it is all very interesting."

Motorcycling in Japan
Motorcycle riding is very restricted in Japan, with dense traffic moving at low speeds and strict police control. Until recently, the speed limit for motorcycles on the highway was 80 km/h and on normal roads 60 km/h. And it was not allowed to ride with a passenger on the highway!
The government 'eased up' this severe situation just recently, allowing motorcycles the same 100km/h speed on the highway as cars and allowing them to carry passengers. 

Amsterdam
After 10 years experience in Yamaha Japan, Takeshi moved to be the manager of the Product Planning division at the European headquarters in Amsterdam. He has learnt that customers' requirements are very different from person to person and country to country.

"For example the Fazer 600, in all countries it is a very sporty allround bike for leisure use, but in France it is also a commuting tool, in Italy it is used to look cool, and in Germany it is used for touring.
The fundamental requirement to the bike is similar but the details are different and in that sense the European market is very complex."

Toughest project
"The most challenging project was the FJR1300. Internally it was very tough because a big investment and development was needed; and in the outside world, the customers requirements are very demanding and sometimes contradicting.
For example, we needed to develop a good protection for the rider but also a sporty, compact shape and it's very tough to combine those.
We had to solve all those contradictions one by one and make the best package."
Rewards
Despite all the challenges and difficulties, when a bike is ready the reward comes: "When you can see the enjoyment of the customer when riding the finished product; this is my strongest motivation. These faces give me the inspiration to produce even better models in the future."