
A conversation between Shoichi Haga and Takenaka, Civil Engineering Director: How "Dam Day" was born
2020.08.28.
*This interview is reprinted from Takenaka Civil Engineering Company Newsletter No. 217 (published April 15, 2017) .
"Dam Day" is attracting attention as a business manga that "detailedly depicts the real-life situations of engineers working in the civil engineering world." The author, Shoichi Haga, and Managing Director Iwata had a conversation. They talked about the background to the creation of the work, "the way of life of a civil engineer," and their thoughts on people working on site.
*At that time: Managing Executive Officer and Osaka Head Office Manager
Current: Executive Managing Director and Head of Sales Division
Background of the creation of "Dam Day"
Iwata: When I was the head of the Business Strategy Office in 2014, I had many opportunities to talk directly with the president, and we often discussed the current situation in which fewer young people want to work in the construction industry. Also, during a discussion with someone in the industry, the idea came up that a "civil engineering manga" could be a trigger for young people to become interested in the construction industry. So I approached Yohei Sadoshima, the president of Cork Co., Ltd., who is familiar with the publishing world, and asked him, "Can you make a manga about a civil engineering site that will interest young people? Are there any talented young manga artists who are interested in the world of civil engineering?" He immediately responded that it would probably not be serialized, but that it would be an interesting subject!
After that, President Sadoshima contacted me and said, "President Inc. is going to publish a comic magazine with a work theme, so we're thinking of including a comic about a civil engineering site. We're going to have contracted artist Shoichi Haga draw it, so we'd like you to plan a site visit." He made a list of several sites. Mr. Haga, an editor from Cork Inc., and myself decided to go to the Oita River Dam site.
Starting from "zero knowledge of civil engineering"
Sadojima approached me about "a serialized manga on the theme of work" for Haga President's business magazine, but my previous work, "Eraser Life," was set in a high school... I had no idea what to imagine when he said it was a "manga about work," and I knew nothing about civil engineering and had no interest in it. Also, I don't work for a company, so I don't have a message or thesis about work or working. On top of that, it was my first time serializing, so I was full of anxiety at first... it was really a "start from zero" (laughs).
Iwata: Nowadays, Mr. Haga gives lectures and gives clear and concise speeches, but when I first met him, he seemed a bit "soft" and reserved... Will he really understand civil engineering? Is this person okay? To be honest, I was a bit worried too (laughs).
However, when I actually went to the site, I found that everyone, from staff and workers to CAD operators, were interviewing the staff with great enthusiasm...I felt a little relieved seeing that.
During my coverage of the Haga Oita River Dam, I was amazed by everything I saw and heard. Of course, the sheer scale of the civil engineering work was impressive, but what was particularly impressive was the way the people worked, prioritizing safety and disciplining themselves. Furthermore, I felt that it was precisely because each person working on-site paid careful attention to the small details in their own position that something this large could be created without error.
Also, when I spoke to engineers in Tokyo and asked them "Why do you work away from home in such harsh conditions?", they replied "I can work hard because I love my colleagues, the people in my community, and ultimately, I love people" - these words made a strong impression on me.
At this point, rather than simply highlighting civil engineering information and work, I realized that I should focus on my strengths, which are the connections between people...and it felt like an eye-opener: "Maybe I should bring to the forefront the human relationships and ways of life that are woven in the world of civil engineering."
Iwata :Initially, we provided Haga with a variety of books to supplement his knowledge of civil engineering, but one day President Sadojima warned him, "Imagination is important for a manga artist...If you cram too much knowledge into your work, you won't be able to draw interesting manga!"
Even so, I was still skeptical, but when we returned from the Oita River Dam, I asked him, "What did you feel was the most important thing when you actually visited the civil engineering site?" and he immediately replied, "Safety." At that moment, I felt, "With this sensibility, I'll be fine! I can do it!" (laughs).
Haga: I didn't know anything about that story... Whenever I showed the "name" to Mr. Sadojima, he always said, "You need to research more! You haven't studied enough at all." (laughs) In a sense, my "perspective" or knowledge and perspective on civil engineering is similar to that of the readers, so I thought that what I found interesting would also be interesting to the readers... I wanted to create a work that would allow readers to imagine the "people who built" the bridges and highways that we see every day.
I feel like I was able to weave into the story the trajectory of my encounters, such as what I saw during my research on the Oita River Dam and the feelings of a civil engineer I felt at a social gathering with young engineers. I did include some negative information, but if I had been limited to making a manga that would improve the image of civil engineering, I might have reached a dead end.
A work that exceeded expectations...
Iwata : The first chapter was published on October 15th, 2014. It turned out to be better than I expected, and I was so moved by the "Haga Shoichi world" that I almost cried (laughs).
The construction industry is the largest in Japan's "manufacturing" industry, with 5 million employees. Civil engineering is a field that depends on natural factors and individual ability, so there are many dramas, but unfortunately, the general public is not aware of them. I am impressed that the film perfectly captures the difficult-to-communicate "world of civil engineering" and the realities of the engineers who work there! It was well received within the industry, including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and I was also happy to receive support from everyone.
We invited Mr. Haga to give a lecture at the Construction Technology Expo in Osaka and also had him participate in a panel discussion; his talk there was also truly excellent and was highly praised by all the participants.
I am grateful to everyone at Takenaka Civil Engineering for their support, which allowed us to continue the series until episode 15, even though we started without knowing what the future holds. I was able to meet many different people, and I think this work was only possible because Iwata-san and the other engineers responded immediately when I contacted them with any problems or concerns, and they were not just half-hearted, but were serious about it.
I would be happy if I could convey even a little of the fascinating world of civil engineering...However, the people I met in real life were much more attractive and cool than in the manga, and I do feel that I still couldn't fully portray the scale of civil engineering sites.
Iwata: Our civil engineering work is something that is part of everyday life and supports society unobtrusively... I'm happy that people use it in their daily lives, but I'd be very happy if they remembered the "face of the person who made it" at some point. I don't want there to be any misunderstandings, so I hope that through this work more people in the world will learn about "civil engineering."
At the same time, I hope that the author, Haga Shoichi, will use this work as a stepping stone to make a big break in the world of manga.
Haga: I started drawing manga in earnest after graduating from university. I thought that manga was something you did by expanding your imagination and staying in your room to draw.
This time, I took on a personal challenge of meeting people through interviews, getting inspired by them, and incorporating their "feelings and way of life" into my work. I feel like it has broadened my creative horizons and scope.
I realized that a "realistic world" is an important element in creating a work that "touches people's hearts."
Civil engineers are "heroes"
Haga: When I read Haruki Murakami's short story "Kaeru-kun Saves Tokyo," in which an ordinary, nameless businessman prevents a major earthquake from hitting Tokyo, I thought the protagonist was a "cool hero." I felt that in some ways I shared the same qualities with the civil engineers and craftsmen I met during my interviews. "Workers who quietly support the foundations of the world" are really cool (laughs).
I would like to use this valuable experience to continue working in a job that I can be proud of in front of my children, just like my "Oi-chan."
Iwata: Civil engineering is not a field that receives much attention from the public, but I want young people to be aware that society exists through a variety of different industries.
We believe that one of our responsibilities is to make civil engineering attractive to young people, so that many young people will aspire to work in the construction industry, not just be concerned with appearances, and be able to achieve a comfortable life while working with pride.
Let's do our best together!
Reprinted from Takenaka Civil Engineering Newsletter No. 217 (published April 15, 2017)