In Memoriam: Genichi Kawakami
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| Genichi Kawakami |
Genichi Kawakami, the man credited with making Yamaha a household name around the world, died on Saturday, May 25 in Hamamatsu, Japan, the city where Yamaha Corporation is headquartered. Having shaped the company into a leading manufacturer of musical instruments, electronic goods and motorcycles, Mr. Kawakami had been convalescing and died of natural causes. He was 90.
A graduate of Takachiho College of Commerce, Mr. Kawakami joined Nippon Gakki Co., the predecessor of Yamaha Corporation, in 1937. Mr. Kawakami’s father, Kaichi, had become its president in 1927, and Genichi Kawakami succeeded him in 1950.
Upon taking the reins of the company, the younger Mr. Kawakami aggressively expanded operations and within three decades, successfully grew Yamaha from a piano company employing 2,500 to a multinational corporation with 17,000 employees and a sterling reputation for quality and value.
During a visit to America and Europe in 1953, Mr. Kawakami observed people’s active pursuit of leisure activities, and quickly became convinced that the recreational market would rebound during the post-war period and have a bright future in Japan. Not content to let demand build naturally, he helped establish music schools for Japan’s emerging middle class by starting experimental classes in 1954. The Yamaha Music School, which provides children with comprehensive music education, now has 7,500 school locations in more than 40 countries.
Mr. Kawakami also was an expert at diversification and led the company into entirely new markets, largely guided by his own personal tastes. He added wind and other orchestra instruments to complement Yamaha’s growing piano business, and developed Japan’s first electronic organ, the Electone®. Mr. Kawakami also harnessed the company’s woodworking skills to manufacture fine furniture.
In 1955, he produced Yamaha’s first motorbike, the YA-1, nicknamed “aka-tombo,” or red dragonfly. Today, Yamaha Motor Co. is the world’s second largest motorcycle manufacturer.
Mr. Kawakami served as president from 1950 to 1977, and again from 1980 to 1983. He held the position of chairman until 1992, at which time he became a Corporate Advisor to the company until his death.
“Mr. Kawakami was a vital force and a true inspiration at Yamaha for more than half a century,” says Mr. Mitsuru “Mick” Umemura, president of Yamaha Corporation of America. “He was the standard bearer who helped everyone in the Yamaha family realize their full potential, and to continue to build upon his strong tradition of quality and excellence in manufacturing and music education. He will be missed by us all.”
Mr. Kawakami is survived by his wife, Tamiko; a son and daughter. A family service was planned at Mr. Kawakami’s hometown in Hamakita, near Hamamatsu, about 145 miles west of Tokyo.
