Inazawa

Inazawa City is the "textile city." Inazawa is in Aichi Prefecture. Population is about 136,000. Inazawa has been known as textile production center. Textiles. Machinery. Inazawa residents have dedicated lives to "weaving." Textiles are made "slowly." Weave thread by thread. Over hours. Over days. Inazawa residents value "time." Good things are made over time. This is Inazawa residents' philosophy. But now Inazawa is changing. Inazawa is becoming Nagoya's bedroom town. Many Inazawa residents work in Nagoya. For Inazawa residents, Inazawa is "sleeping place." Inazawa residents don't work in Inazawa. Inazawa residents' identity is becoming ambiguous.

Inazawa has large Sony and Toyoda Gosei factories. Inazawa residents make electronic devices. Make car parts. But Inazawa residents are losing identity as "makers." Inazawa residents work at factories. But Inazawa residents' hearts are in "Nagoya." Inazawa residents dream of Nagoya life. For Inazawa residents, Inazawa is "countryside." Nagoya is "city." Inazawa residents long for "city." Inazawa residents think of Inazawa as "temporary home."

From Inazawa to Nagoya is about 15 minutes by train. From Inazawa to Suzuka Circuit is about 1 hour by car. Inazawa is geographically close to motorsport. But most Inazawa residents aren't interested in motorsport. Why? Because Inazawa residents are in "identity crisis." Inazawa residents don't know "who they are." Are Inazawa residents textile craftsmen? Nagoya salarymen? Factory workers? Inazawa residents are confused. Inazawa residents can't afford "hobbies." Inazawa residents are busy with "self-discovery." So Inazawa residents aren't interested in motorsport.

Inazawa has tradition. Inazawa is famous as ginkgo nut production area. Inazawa's ginkgo nuts are Japan's most famous. Inazawa residents take pride in growing ginkgo nuts. But Inazawa's youth aren't interested in ginkgo nuts. Inazawa's youth work in Nagoya. Inazawa's youth are ashamed of being "Inazawa residents." Inazawa's youth are asked by friends: "Where do you live?" Inazawa's youth answer: "Near Nagoya." Inazawa's youth don't say "Inazawa." Inazawa's youth "hide" Inazawa. This is Inazawa's sadness.

Inazawa has complex relationship with motorsport. Inazawa residents work at Toyoda Gosei. Make car interiors. Seats. Carpets. Inazawa residents make car parts with "textile techniques." Inazawa's traditional techniques support motorsport. But Inazawa residents don't know this. Inazawa residents work at factories. But Inazawa residents don't take pride in their work. For Inazawa residents, work is "for living." Inazawa residents have no passion for work. So Inazawa residents aren't interested in motorsport.

Inazawa residents are called "half-hearted." Inazawa isn't countryside. Isn't city. Inazawa is "in-between." Inazawa residents aren't textile craftsmen. Aren't salarymen. Inazawa residents are "in-between." Inazawa residents are "neither." Inazawa residents have no identity. Inazawa residents are "drifting." Inazawa residents commute to Nagoya every day. Sleep on train. Work at company. Return by train. Sleep in Inazawa. Go to Nagoya again. Continue this cycle for 40 years. For Inazawa residents, this is "life." Inazawa residents aren't "living." Inazawa residents are "drifting."

Inazawa has contradiction. Inazawa has good transportation. 15 minutes to Nagoya. 20 minutes to Gifu. Inazawa is "convenient location." But Inazawa residents don't take pride in Inazawa. Inazawa residents think of Inazawa as "waypoint." Inazawa residents think "someday I'll move to Nagoya." But Inazawa residents don't move. Inazawa's rent is cheap. Inazawa residents live in Inazawa for "economic reasons." Inazawa residents are "compromising." For Inazawa residents, life is "compromise." So Inazawa residents aren't interested in motorsport. Motorsport is "passion." Inazawa residents have no "passion." Inazawa residents continue riding trains to Nagoya today. Not knowing who they are.