This gentle English fluent father of 4 won’t think twice about doing overtime to make sure a problem or job is fixed before heading home each day. Often the last one out of the office.
In the beginning …
Chikara was born and raised in Japan, in the Osaka, Higashi Osaka. He never imagined going overseas, let alone living a major part of his life overseas. After he graduated from Shijonawate Kita High School he headed overseas to study bible and music in Portland Oregon USA.
A chance to study overseas …
The degree was 4 years long and 2 years of theology. He met his future wife, Sarah in his 3rd year. When he was 21 he got married to his girlfriend of 2 and a half years. Once they had graduated they stayed on in the States for another 4 years, acting as a teacher in the school. They then decided to come back to Japan, and more specifically, Osaka Japan.
Back into “Japanese reality” …
When Chikara first came back to Japan he worked in an import business in Kyoto. This involved the import of vegetables and fruit. This involved trips to Australia and Europe and also trading with customers from the Philippines (bananas and mangos), Mexico (avocados and squash) and America (brocolli, celory and citrus fruits). However, to a degree this ate into family time. Japanese company hours are not like foreign company working hours!
Time for “cars and trucks” …
Chikara first came to work for Provide Cars in 2004. The learning curve about cars in the beginning was step. He remembers training himself on the models of cars in the car parks when going on outings with his family. Chikara has spent many, many hours translating auction sheets for customers. He is also a great trouble shooter, finding solutions to problems when they occur, squeezing an extra car into a container, whatever the need there is. He has now cut one day a week off his commitment to Provide Cars, allowing him more time for his other passions:
When he is not working …
When not working at Provide Cars he likes to spend time with his family. Four young daughters keep a man busy! He also loves to pour his time into song leading and the youth in his Church that he attends. Both he and his wife Sarah are very talented musicians and have produced songs together, regularly translating English worship songs into Japanese.
