Mr Shima was dispatched to Washington to raise a loan from the World Bank.

ECONOMIST: Hideo Shima

Mr Shima, though, was now too celebrated, especially among his own kind, to be ignored.

ECONOMIST: Hideo Shima

Mr Shima recalled that, during his time at the agency, seven satellites were put successfully into orbit.

ECONOMIST: Hideo Shima

Hideo Shima seemed to take little interest in the consequences of his shinkansen.

ECONOMIST: Hideo Shima

Mr Shima had not personally done the original and optimistic arithmetic, but he took responsibility for it, as did the president of the National Railways.

ECONOMIST: Hideo Shima

Mr Shima was suitably indignant.

ECONOMIST: Hideo Shima