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In December of 1922, Toshio was assigned to the artillery in Lushun,
China. He served two years there and quickly gained an outstanding reputation
for being a man of action. Decisive and energetic but also capable and responsible,
Toshio made the perfect soldier. The first to be promoted in his regiment, he
frequently received commendation from his superior who strongly urged him to become
a professional officer at the end of his military service. Toshio, however, remained
committed to his dream of succeeding in business.
While in Lushun he fell in love with a young woman who was the daughter of a tobacco
shop owner. Her beauty and charm attracted the attention of many soldiers of all
ranks. Toshio decided that his best chance to win the girl rested with her father.
After encouraging the shop owner to sell electric goods and become a Matsushita
retail store, Toshio volunteered his expert services so he could be closer to
the young woman.
Once Toshio had the shop owner's full confidence, he confessed his true feelings
and desire to marry the owner's daughter. The owner had no objection to the marriage,
but as the girl was his only child he wanted Toshio to carry on the family business.
Still in love with the owner's daughter but unable to give up his dream, Toshio
after receiving an honorable discharge returned to Japan alone.
Seventy years later, one of the SANYO Group's most important business sites in
China is in a city called Dalian, not far from Lushun. Had Toshio lived to see
this, it would have been beyond his wildest dreams. |
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