※ご購入はTOPページの販売店でお求めください。
価格は当社の販売希望価格です。
各書店のキャンペーン等で販売価格が変更（読み放題、割引等）になることがあります。
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
◎About this book/本書について
This book is a biography of Shotaro Asaji, a pioneer of Japan's building
maintenance industry post-WWII, highlighting his significant contributions
and leadership.
ビルメンテナンス産業誕生から70年余、日本経済発展の［拠点］を支え、ビルと共に生きた男の物語
・
During the postwar reconstruction period under the control of GHQ, with the end of the occupation administration, the business model of building management (maintenance) by contract was started for the first time in Japan. Eventually, it spontaneously developed into a new industry called building maintenance. At the center of the building maintenance industry, which now employs over 1.17 million people and has sales of 4 trillion yen, is a man named Shotaro Asaji, who has been driving this industry. This book is a biography of Shotaro Asaji, who demonstrated his business acumen from a young age, served as a bridge between the occupying forces and the Japanese side as the Japanese chief advisor to the Housing and Buildings Bureau at GHQ, and eventually led the creation and development of the building maintenance industry in Japan. Asaji eventually became the honorary life chairman of the World Building Services Federation, which was established by fellow professionals from various countries. Shotaro Asaji, born on March 16, 1905 and from Kanazawa City, passed away on August 8, 1983 at the age of 78. This book is an English translation of the original Japanese book (published by Chigensha INC, first edition December 28, 2022: ISBN9784434314322), condensed to almost half its original size.The original Japanese text is included at the end of the book.
♦Base text: Book of the same name, first edition August 28, 2024, published by Chigensha. INC, ISBN9784910056692
Born in Tokyo in 1938, Shoichi Asaji graduated from Keio University Faculty of Economics in 1960. That same year, he joined Nippon Building Service Co., Ltd. In 1975, he assumed the role of representative director and president of the company. In 2005, he transferred his shares in the company to Bill Agent and took on the role of special advisor.
Throughout his career, Asaji held various positions, including Director of the Tokyo Community Chest of Japan in 1970, Chairman of the Tokyo Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1975, Director of the National Building Maintenance Association in 1977, Member of the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1982, and Member of the Tokyo Regional Employment Security Council and the Central Labor Standards Council of the Ministry of Labor in 1983 and 1993, respectively. He also served as a member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Environment Council in 1994, Vice President of the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2001, Chairman of the Welfare Living Environment Coordinator Association in 2002, and Expert Member of the Cabinet Office Gender Equality Council in 2003. Notably, he chaired the Hibiya Park 100th Anniversary Project Executive Committee. Currently, he serves as the representative of Asaji Office and an advisor to the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Editor/Author Profile
Tamaki Okada
Tamaki Okada was born in 1955 in Hyogo Prefecture. He graduated from Kyoto Sangyo University Faculty of Law in 1977 and subsequently joined Social Environment Research Institute Co., Ltd. During his tenure, he held positions such as deputy editor-in-chief and editor-in-chief. Later, he transitioned to roles such as Public Relations Manager, General Affairs Department Manager, Deputy General Affairs Department Manager and Public Relations Manager of Globeship, and Counselor, among others, at Nippon Building Service Co., Ltd. His current position is Chairman of the Nonprofit Organization Comfortable Town Planning Association, a role he has held since 2008.
Okada has authored works such as "The Ultimate Building Observation" and has contributed to co-authored works including "Tokyo Great Transformation," "Redevelopment Tokyo Bay Network," and "Redevelopment Osaka Bay Network," all published by Jutaku Shinposha. Additionally, he spearheaded the reprinting and editing of previously out-of-print titles such as "Zushi Nagisa Hotel Story" and "The Practice of Building Cleaning."
Content
Preface
Prologue: The Pioneer of Building Maintenance in Japan
Lifetime Honorary President of the World Building Services Federation
Chapter 1: Childhood
Shotaro, the eldest son of the Asaji family, during his elementary school years
Advancing to Kanazawa Commercial High School and Cultivating Business Acumen
Admiration for Western Civilization and “Overseas Tours”
Chapter 2: The Karuizawa Era: Cultivating Business Acumen
Joined Kikuya, an imported food products handling and sales company
Resilience Amidst the Great Kanto Earthquake: Revitalizing Kikuya
Elevating to Store Manager, Advising the Owner with an Eye on Prosperity
Turning Over a New Leaf at the Karuizawa Store, Benefactor Mrs. Edna Miller
The 40-Day Showdown in Karuizawa: Radio and Ice Cream
Chapter 3: The Ambitious Youth Struggling with Initial Aspirations
Days filled with youthful exuberance, and the concerns of both parents and his younger brother, Takichi
Turning Point and Father Isaburo’s Death
The Early Showa Era: Eldest Son’s Responsibilities and Recession
Chapter 4: The Sales Trio and Shotaro’s Marriage
A New Business Opportunity: Kyodo Fisheries
Sales Activities of the Godo Food Trio
How He Married His Partner Shizue
Fore boding Changes in the Pre-War Era
Chapter 5: Contributions at Nippon Nutritional Foods and Wartime Thoughts on Family
New World: Engaging with Nippon Nutritional Foods Corp.
Motivated to study nutrition and cooking for the food service industry
Working amidst the momentum towards a major war
Home in Nakahara in Kawasaki City and evacuation site in Karuizawa
Chapter 6: The Contrasts of Light and Shadow with the GHQ’s Arrival Immediately After the War
The “Summoning” from the Allied-Occupation Forces Construction Committee immediately after the end of the war
A Clever GHQ Role in “Requisition” that Protected the Japanese People
Chief Japanese Advisor at the GHQ Housing and Buildings Bureau
Manualized Management Methods Introduced by the Occupation Forces
Before the Turning Point: Acquiring Dream Villa in Karuizawa
Chapter 7: Pioneering the History of Post-War Reconstruction through Building Management Business
Japan Custodial Service: The Dawn of Contract-Based Building Management
Gratitude to President Watanabe at Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd.
Introducing American-style rationality into management operations
Contracting Cleaning Services with Shinmaru Building Tenants
The Involvement of Jouji Tanaka: Resolving Business Challenges
A Journey to the United States, Including a Visit to General MacArthur’s Residence
Chapter 8: The Establishment and Advancement of Nihon Building Services
A Difficult Decision: Independence as a Building Management Specialist
A Management Philosophy Focused on Improving Employee Treatment Rooted in the Spirit of Harmony
“Protecting Employees’ Livelihoods,” “Ensuring Customer Satisfaction,” and “Securing the Company’s Continuity.”
Eldest son Shoichi’s entry into the company and wise words from the ABM president
Contributed to the proliferation of dust control methods and resin wax
Chapter 9: The Era of High Economic Growth and the Emergence and Growth of the Building Management Industry
Pioneering Unity: Formation of the “Four Companies” and the Establishment of a National Organization
Social Initiatives Defining the Building Management Industry
Industry Entry into the Tokyo Olympics with Enhanced Credibility
The Palace Side Building’s Debut Makes Waves in the Industry
The American Squeegee: The Glass Cleaning Maestro
Development and Operation of Remote Building Management Systems
Chapter 10: The Final Act of Shotaro Asaji
The Passing of Companion Shizue
Business Succession from Shotaro to Shoichi
Received the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 3rd Class, in the Spring 1976 conferment.
Appointed as “Lifetime Honorary President” of the World Building Services Federation World Congress
The history of the building maintenance industry is The history of Nihon Building Services
“30th Anniversary Celebration: A Tribute to Loyal Customers, Gratitude for Decades of Support”
“Final Words: ‘I Will Undertake the Same Work Again...’”
Afterword
Preface
Supervisor: hoichi Asaji
With the advent of the Reiwa era, large-scale redevelopment is underway in urban areas centered around Tokyo, giving rise to towns surrounded by towering skyscrapers. Behind this splendid cityscape, one can discern the building maintenance industry, which has adapted and flourished with the changing times, as well as the influential figure of Shotaro Asaji, who played a pivotal role in its inception.
The building maintenance industry emerged organically following the lifting of the Allied occupation through the peace treaty. Established as a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd., Japan Custodial Service Co., Ltd. pioneered the business model of “managing (maintaining) other people’s buildings through contractual agreements,” becoming the first of its kind in Japan. Although hastily formed at the behest of the U.S. Department of State, failure could jeopardize Japan’s national interests. Hence, it appears that Shotaro Asaji, who served as the chief Japanese advisor of the Housing and Building Bureau at GHQ, was brought on board the new company under certain conditions.
Subsequently, Japan’s building maintenance industry underwent a significant transformation with the enactment and enforcement of the “Building Management Law,” solidifying its position as an urban industry. Moreover, the industry saw a pivotal shift towards addressing environmental concerns. Leading building maintenance companies began acquiring ISO 14001, an international standard for environmental management systems, as a mark of credibility, aligning themselves with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which have become a global corporate trend.
Given the imperative for enhanced hygiene in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the convergence of initiatives towards building environmental hygiene management and SDGs is anticipated to assume even greater significance in the future.
“ON-KO-CHI-SHIN” - Reflecting on the past to forge ahead into the future. May this book serve as a guiding light towards that endeavor.
April 2024
