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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.

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
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