'Live Merrily and Cheerfully’ — the corporate philosophy of Horiba, seems to reflect the personality of the founder, Masao Horiba. With his slightly long gray hair bundled at the back, my first impression of him was quite positive. He appeared amiable and was full of sense of humor.

Mr. Horiba should be described as a scientist rather than an entrepreneur. When he set up Horiba Co. Ltd, he was an undergraduate student at Kyoto University. In this sense, he is the forerunner of venture business leader back then. However, he says he did not intend to be a corporate manager.

Mr. Horiba dedicated his university days in the research of nuclear physics. However, after the WWII, it became impossible to continue research in this area. Japan was under U.S. occupation and nuclear physics is a natural target of destruction. All access to the research materials was banned and relevant equipments were either demolished or confiscated. If Mr. Horiba was an ordinary person, he would have given up his research but not he was. ‘If the university is unavailable, there is another choice. I rent a place and create my own research laboratory’ recalls Mr. Horiba. Horiba Radio Laboratory, predecessor of Horiba, Ltd. was established then. He was such a vigorous person that he converted crises into opportunities. For example, when he started the laboratory, he needed funds for the research. He came to think of taking advantage of the old batteries made for the army. Since the war was over, those batteries were of no use and he got them for free. He made some changes on them. He attached a rectifier and made them usable for a commercial purpose. This value-added battery became a hugely successful product since Japan was in a time of scarcity. This challenger’s spirit for never to succumb to difficulties is surely a part of corporate culture of today’s Horiba, Ltd

I spent 2-hours with him for the interview but felt very short. He is really a fun person to be with. After the interview, he kindly offered all of us a lunch including our photographer. With the lunch, locally brewed Kyoto brand Sake was served. We all enjoyed a friendly conversation. He was stressing the importance of enjoying life as well as making others happy. All of us who shared the atmosphere at the luncheon meeting were convinced that no matter what happens to the world, Horiba Ltd will overcome obstacles ‘Merrily’ and ‘Cheerfully’.