March 3 marked the 60th anniversary of Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Kita-ku, Osaka; President: Naotake Okubo).
On March 2, a 60th anniversary celebration ceremony was held as a company event and Mr. Sun Hao, 78th generation descendant of Sun Wu, author of "Sun Tzu on the Art of War," an inspiration for the Sekisui company name, was invited from Suzhou, Jiangsu Province in China, to attend the event.
Details of the 60th anniversary ceremony and the reasons for inviting Mr. Sun Hao are set out below.
Mr. Sun Hao (second from left) and his family together with Mr. Okubo, Company president (second from right) <at the venue of the ceremony> |
1. Origin of Company name "Sekisui"
The "Sekisui" of the company name "Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd." derives from a passage in "Sun Tzu", an ancient Chinese book on military strategy.
[The onrush of a conquering force is like the bursting of pent-up waters into a chasm a thousand fathoms deep.]
From "Tactical Dispositions, Sun Tzu.
(Meaning)
A winning battle style resembles a bursting flow of pent-up water (=Sekisui) into a deep chasm, and achieves decisive conclusion with intense momentum.
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2. Relationship with Mr. Sun Hao
In 2002, Sekisui Chemical began major expansion of its business into China and 2004 saw the establishment of Sekisui S-Lec (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. (manufacture and sale of interlayer film for laminated glass) in the city of Suzhou, the birth place of Sun Wu. On this occasion, Sekisui learned that Mr. Sun Hao, descendant of Sun Wu, lived in the city of Suzhou, and this marked the beginning of the relationship between Sekisui Chemical and Mr. Sun Hao.
3. 60th Anniversary Ceremony
Sekisui Chemical, established on March 3, 1947, celebrated its 60th anniversary this year. On Friday, March 2, a company event was held in commemoration of the 60th anniversary, with participation of management from the Group, to which Mr. Sun Hao was invited as guest.
1) Outline of Ceremony
Date: Friday, March 2, 2007
Location: Kyoto Research Laboratories, Sekisui Chemical
Attendees: Approximately 300 members of managerial staff from the Sekisui Chemical Group from Japan and overseas
Guest: Mr. Sun Hao (78th generation direct descendant of Sun Wu)
2) Speeches at the Ceremony
The following speeches were made by the President of Sekisui Chemical and Mr. Sun Hao during the ceremony.
Speech by Naotake Okubo, President and Representative Director
(Summary)
Allow me to offer my heartfelt congratulations to everyone on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Sekisui Chemical.
Today we mark the 60th birthday of Sekisui Chemical and I would like to take this opportunity to express my respect to all the seniors who have nurtured the company for the last 60 years. A 60th birthday marks a rebirth and the beginning of a new life and I look forward to working hand in hand with the approximately 20,000 Sekisui Group employees throughout the world toward the creation of a new Sekisui Chemical.
The passage from Sun Tzu on the Art of War from which Sekisui Chemical drew inspiration for its name, "The onrush of a conquering force is like the bursting of pent-up waters into a chasm a thousand fathoms deep" can be interpreted not only to mean that "a conquering force requires unstoppable momentum much like pent-up waters cascading to the bottom of the chasm," but also that "built-up water, or a firmly prepared organization is essential in ensuring victory."
Let us work together to build a solid organization that will ensure the growth and development of our company and take Sekisui Chemical into the future beyond its 60th birthday.
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Speech by Mr. Sun Hao
(Summary taken from Japanese translation)
Congratulations on the 60th anniversary of Sekisui Chemical. I am truly happy to have the good fortune to come to Japan to take part in this ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.
Four years ago, I learned that a certain Japanese company had launched a venture in Jiangsu Province. To my surprise, this company derived its name from the passage in the Sun Tzu on the Art of War, "The onrush of a conquering force is like the bursting of pent-up waters into a chasm a thousand fathoms deep". Upon learning this, I found it impossible to hide both my surprise and joy. I felt that was the beginning of the relationship between Sekisui Chemical, the Jiangsu Province and also between Sun Tzu. Sun Tzu promulgates the avoidance of meaningless conflict. The text demonstrates not only incise use of words and dynamic metaphors, but also teaches methods of achieving victory without fighting and the peaceful concept of co-existence, and this is why it is widely known and highly appraised by people around the world.
On this, the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Sekisui Chemical, allow me to express my heartfelt congratulations to the president, Mr. Okubo and to all the employees of Sekisui Chemical. This year also marks the 35th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic ties between China and Japan. I pray both for an even greater, beautiful future for Sekisui and for peace and friendship between our countries down through future generations.
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(Reference) Profile of Mr. Sun Hao
Born in 1928 in the Jiashan County of Zhejiang Province, China. Retired to the city of Suzhou after working as a civilian official in the military. Mr. Sun Hao is currently engaged as managing director of the Suzhou Sun Tzu Research Society.
