Nakajima was born as the eldest son of a farmer in Gunma Prefecture. He entered a naval academy at age 19 and became interested in in aviation after hearing about the exploits of the Wright Brothers. He assisted in the production of aircraft for the Japanese navy. After leaving the navy, he set up the Aircraft Research Laboratory in 1917. This concern later became the Nakajima Aircraft Co., Ltd., which was Japan’s leading aircraft manufacturer. During the Second World War, Nakajima served as Japan’s Minister of Commerce and Industry. At the end of the war, he halted aircraft production and the company became the Fuji Sangyo Co., Ltd., which sought to apply aviation technologies to other manufacturing endeavors. Initially, the company developed motor scooters and bus bodies. It later blossomed into a full-fledged automobile manufacturer. Fuji Sangyo evolved into the present Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd. Subaru automobiles are its principal product. Gunma Prefecture is the site of its manufacturing base. (bio by: Warrick L. Barrett)