Soichiro Honda
A blacksmith's son who left school at 15 for a garage; defied the government to build cars.
Soichiro Honda was born in 1906 in Hamamatsu, Japan. Soichiro Honda's background is described as Japanese; rural Shizuoka. Growing up, the family was working class — blacksmith father who repaired bicycles; weaver mother. A blacksmith's son who left school at 15 for a garage; defied the government to build cars.
- Born
- 1906 · Hamamatsu, Japan
- Roots
- Japanese; rural Shizuoka
- Family
- Working class
- Blacksmith father who repaired bicycles; weaver mother.
- Education
- Left school at 15; later attended technical school for metallurgy — without taking the exams
- Started with
- A garage apprenticeship
- Joined Tokyo's Art Shokai garage at 15; his first duties included babysitting the owner's child.
- Affiliations & societies
- None documented.
- Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.
The pathway
- 1922 · age 15Art Shokai garage
Apprentice mechanic in Tokyo; opens his own branch six years later.
- 1937 · age 30Piston rings
Founds Tokai Seiki; early output fails Toyota's standards, so he enrolls in metallurgy courses.
- 1945 · age 39Sells out to Toyota
After bombing and an earthquake wreck the factories.
- 1946 · age 40Motorized bicycles
Fits surplus military generator engines to bicycles in a Hamamatsu shack.
- 1948 · age 41Honda Motor
Partners with Takeo Fujisawa, who handles the money side.
- 1958 · age 52Super Cub
Becomes the best-selling motor vehicle in history.
- 1963 · age 56First car — against MITI
Enters auto manufacturing despite the ministry's efforts to keep newcomers out.
- 1972 · age 66CVCC engine
Passes the US Clean Air Act without a catalytic converter, ahead of Detroit.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Soichiro Honda from?
Soichiro Honda was born in 1906 in Hamamatsu, Japan. Their background is described as Japanese; rural Shizuoka.
When was Soichiro Honda born?
Soichiro Honda was born in 1906, in Hamamatsu, Japan.
What is Soichiro Honda's background or ethnicity?
Soichiro Honda's roots are described as Japanese; rural Shizuoka. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.
Where did Soichiro Honda go to school?
Soichiro Honda's education: Left school at 15; later attended technical school for metallurgy — without taking the exams.
What was Soichiro Honda's family background growing up?
At birth the family was working class. Blacksmith father who repaired bicycles; weaver mother.
How did Soichiro Honda get started?
Soichiro Honda started with a garage apprenticeship. Joined Tokyo's Art Shokai garage at 15; his first duties included babysitting the owner's child.
Sources
Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.