Masato Yamazaki shapes sheet metal with a hammer at his workplace in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture. He is one of the few technical experts allowed to call themselves “takumi” (master) at Suzuki Motor Corp. (Photo by Yuuri Tanimoto)
HAMAMATSU, Shizuoka Prefecture Seen from a distance, Masato Yamazaki looks like a rock ’n’ roll drummer keeping the beat of a fast-paced song. But a closer look reveals that he is banging sheet metal with a well-used hammer.
His speed and accuracy would impress any percussionist.
Yamazaki, a 56-year-old auto parts maker at leading minicar maker Suzuki Motor Co., strikes the metal three times per second and 10,000 times a day, according to public relations official.