It is now 40 years since Japan's postwar construction rush, but a lack of earthquake resistance, and buildings falling into disrepair have recently triggered a new rush - this time in high-rise demolition. It was against this backdrop that Hideki Ichihara developed a new method of deconstruction that solves the issues of noise and dust associated with more conventional demolition techniques.
In Ichihara's own words: "Creating technology is not something to be done alone, but as a team". His great strength is his ability to mobilize the people around him. In order to create unprecedented technologies, Ichihara collaborates across departmental boundaries, taking onboard ideas from any and all comers. "Let's do something exciting together". This was his mantra as he sought suggestions at budget and management meetings, from participants not typically associated with technology development. Caught up in Ichihara's enthusiasm, those around him quickly find themselves sucked into his whirlpool of innovation. The resulting technology, which has won admiration from all around the world for Ichihara and his team, is overflowing with the verve of engineers striving to create something new.