Komaki

Komaki City is "between sky and ground." Komaki is in Aichi Prefecture. Population is about 149,000. Komaki has JASDF Komaki Air Base. Fighter jets fly in Komaki's sky. F-15. F-2. Flying through the sky with roaring sounds. Komaki residents hear fighter jets every day. For Komaki residents, fighter jet sounds are "daily life." Komaki's children grow up seeing fighter jets. Komaki's children dream: "I want to be a pilot in the future." Komaki has Komaki Technical High School. Has Aircraft Course. Komaki's youth study aircraft. For Komaki residents, "speed" is "sky speed." Mach 2 speed. Speed beyond sound. Komaki residents look up at sky. There is "real speed."

But most Komaki residents don't fly. Komaki residents work on ground. Komaki is inland industrial city. Komaki has many factories. Many distribution centers. Many Komaki residents work in manufacturing. Komaki has Sumitomo Riko headquarters. World's largest automotive anti-vibration rubber manufacturer. Komaki residents make rubber. Make car parts. Komaki residents make car parts on ground every day. But above Komaki residents' heads, fighter jets fly at sonic speed. Komaki residents live "between sky and ground." In sky is "ultimate speed." On ground is "daily slowness." Komaki residents see both. And Komaki residents think: "I am on ground."

From Komaki to Nagoya is about 30 minutes by car. From Komaki to Suzuka Circuit is about 1 hour 20 minutes by car. Komaki is geographically close to motorsport. But most Komaki residents have never been to Suzuka Circuit. Why? Because Komaki residents aren't interested in "circuit speed." Komaki residents see Mach 2 fighter jets every day. F1 machine's top speed is about 370 km/h. Fighter jet's top speed is about 2400 km/h. For Komaki residents, F1 is "slow." Komaki residents know sky speed. Ground speed is "slow." Komaki residents look at sky. There is "real speed." So Komaki residents don't go to circuits.

Komaki has Air Show. Every year, JASDF Air Show is held. Tens of thousands of spectators gather at Komaki Base. Blue Impulse aerobatic flight. Fighter jet exhibitions. Komaki residents are proud of Air Show. But most Komaki residents don't go to Air Show. Why? Because for Komaki residents, "every day is Air Show." Komaki residents see fighter jets every day. Hear roaring sounds every day. For Komaki residents, fighter jets are "daily life." Air Show is event for tourists. Not event for Komaki residents.

Komaki has complex relationship with motorsport. Komaki residents work at Sumitomo Riko. Make automotive anti-vibration rubber. Rubber made by Komaki residents is used in cars worldwide. Used in F1 machines too. Komaki residents "support" F1. But Komaki residents don't "watch" F1. Komaki residents look at sky. For Komaki residents, "speed" standard is "sky." Ground speed is "slow." So Komaki residents aren't interested in F1.

Komaki residents are dissatisfied with "being bound to ground." Komaki's children dream "I want to fly." But majority of Komaki's children will work on ground. Work at factories. Make rubber. Make car parts. Komaki's children look up at fighter jets flying overhead. And think: "I wanted to fly too." But Komaki's children are on ground. Komaki's children work on ground for life. And Komaki's children entrust same dream to their children. "You fly in sky." But Komaki's grandchildren will also work on ground. This is Komaki's fate.

Komaki has motorsport philosophy. Komaki residents divide "speed" into two types. "Sky speed" and "ground speed." "Sky speed" is "ultimate." Mach 2. Beyond sonic speed. "Ground speed" is "limited." 300 km/h. Doesn't reach sonic speed. For Komaki residents, ground speed is "half-hearted." If you fly in sky, can go faster. Why crawl on ground? Komaki residents can't understand. So Komaki residents aren't interested in motorsport. Komaki residents seek "ultimate speed." That exists only in sky.

Komaki has Komaki Castle. Castle built by Oda Nobunaga. Komaki residents are proud of history. But Komaki residents aren't interested in "past." Komaki residents look at "future." "Sky's future." Komaki residents dream of aerospace industry. Komaki dreams of becoming "center of Japan's aerospace industry." Komaki residents make car parts at factories while looking up at sky. And think: "Someday, we'll make flying machines." But Komaki residents are still making car parts on ground today. Dream is in sky. Reality is on ground. This is Komaki's contradiction.