In August 1949, Messrs. Honda and Fujisawa first met face-to-face through the introduction of their mutual acquaintance, Mr. Takeshima. The Honda Motor Co. had been founded about a year earlier and had just launched its Dream D-Type. Apparently the two men established an understanding of each other at once. Their personalities were completely different and they were skilled in two quite distinct areas of business. Both men were in complete agreement as to why they got on so well: “He’s got what I haven’t got”. Mr. Honda was 42 and Mr. Fujisawa was 38. In today’s terms they would still be considered quite young, but both already had a wealth of experience, were possessed of great powers of intuition and insight, and were excellent judges of personality. “They could see what you were thinking in a moment. It was almost scary–like being stripped naked!,” said all who worked closely with them.

They were held in awe by everyone who worked for them and observed them at close quarters. “If you were talking to them, there was absolutely no point in putting on an act or trying to bluff your way out of a problem. You couldn’t lie to them. Although they were very different characters, both of them had fantastic insight,” everyone agreed.

What developed between them was a very mature relationship of mutual understanding, each man having a clear idea of the other’s ability. But at the same time they were still possessed of the kind of understanding that can exist between younger people, the ability to talk frankly to each other and share their unrealized dreams. Each of them had chosen a business partner who could be relied on whenever risks had to be taken, and neither of them would ever regret their choice.

Soichiro Honda did the making and Takeo Fuijsawa did the selling. These two powerful personalities, neither of whom could manage without the other, made a perfect combination. Their partnership was a supreme example of “the right man in the right place.”