When I resigned as the chairman of the Japan Chemical Fibers Association, the fiber correspondents of various newspapers sent me a walking stick. They gave it to me because i like to take strolls, and I always bring a walking stick with me everywhere. I still meet them a few times a year in what we call “the walking stick club.”
The author out for a stroll near his home
Let me elaborate a little more about my interests. People of my age are generally interested in golf, mahjong, gardening, music, or art. But I don’t play golf or mahjong, and only rarely take an interest in the arts. My only pastime is going for strolls. You might say I’m an avid stroller.
For the past 35 years, I’ve taken a walk nearly every day. I don’t stop because of rain unless it’s a torrential downpour. Even when going on business trips in Japan or overseas, I always took a stroll around town or in a park.
On the way home from the office, I get out of the car at Sangenjaya in Setagaya Ward and walk to my house in Chitose-Funabashi. It takes about an hour and 20 minutes. On weekends, I put a towel and an extra shirt in a plastic bag and take a stroll for about three hours. Along the way, I stop by a café, change my shirt, rest for a bit, and continue my walk.
What I enjoy about walking, more than anything, is the sense of freedom. There’s nothing more enjoyable than walking as I wish without being bothered by anyone. Strolling about also gives me the joy of discovering things such as improved roads and new buildings. Moreover, it’s good for my health and keeps my legs strong.
Golf has become very popular recently, but that requires waking up early in the morning and the etiquette is very strict. Moreover, you have to be attentive to your fellow players. Anyway, I’m awkward, so instead of getting up early to play golf, I would rather keep sleeping.
The reason I started taking walks was the Nobeoka labor dispute of 1948. After the dispute was resolved, I was afraid trouble might flare up again unless the young people’s energy was directed toward something, so I encouraged them to run.
Running doesn’t cost anything, and we couldn’t afford to build a gymnasium. We ended up nurturing top-class runners for marathons and long-distance relay races, like the So brothers. I couldn’t run so I decided to walk, and that was how I started taking strolls.
Of course I was invited to play golf sometimes, too. But being in charge of labor affairs, my job was to keep wages from increasing, and the workers weren’t paid enough to play golf.
It just didn’t feel right for me to be indulging in golf when I was the one keeping their wages down, so I avoided it from the beginning.
While strolling, I usually think about the issues I’m dealing with. You might think that doesn’t sound relaxing, but it works for me. I can feel a sense of freedom even as I exercise my mind, and I come up with good ideas while walking.
Sometimes, though, I made some blunders when I got too caught up with thinking. Around 1960, when the Cashmilon business was at rock bottom, I went out for a walk after a meeting at the Fuji plant. My mind was occupied with thinking about how to get through the situation. There were no streetlights, and it was dark all around. I didn’t notice that the road was wet from rain, and I fell into a big hole where there was roadwork.
Another time, I was so caught up in my thoughts that I crossed the road without noticing the red light. A police officer scolded me saying, “Think of your lovely grandchildren!”
I read various newspapers and magazines, but the only thing I watch on TV is the news. I don’t read novels either. At home, I read company documents and reports, thinking about different issues. It’s more interesting than TV. I guess my real interest is work.
Miyazaki taking a walk in Hibiya Park.