It all began from dreaming of operating the world's most luxurious sleeper train

Mr. Karaike says that the three things he has valued throughout his career are the ability to dream, the ability to strengthen one's qi, and the ability to communicate effectively. Regardless of what we want to do, we first need to dream.
"Mr. Son, the founder of SoftBank, once talked big to his employees, saying that their company would expand and become so large in 30 years that they would be counting their sales by the cho (trillion) like they count tofu cakes 1 cho, 2 cho, and so on. He was true to his word. Many other founders also aimed at growing their companies into the world's largest," says Mr. Karaike.
Dreaming big, beyond what you think is possible, and putting all of your knowledge and energy into pursuing it drives your growth.
The dream that drove Mr. Karaike's growth was to operate the Seven Stars in Kyushu, the world's most luxurious sleeper train.
Mr. Karaike became the President of JR Kyushu in 2009. Just after that, the long-awaited dream of JR Kyushu, cherished about 40 years before then, was about to come true on March 12, 2011, with the opening of all Kyushu Shinkansen lines.
"So, I decided to begin pursuing another one," he says.
Mr. Karaike says he began cherishing his dream about 30 years ago, when one of his acquaintances told him, "If you built a luxury sleeper train in Kyushu, it would become a bit hit." Immediately after assuming the post of president, Mr. Karaike ordered his subordinates to explore the possibility of operating a luxury train.
"My subordinates reported back to me, basically saying, 'Although we see many challenges ahead, there is nothing that we could not solve.' But, reading between the lines, I could tell they were not excited," Mr. Karaike says.
Nevertheless, the project took off. The Seven Stars in Kyushu was designed by Eiji Mitooka, an industrial designer, who had previously collaborated with Mr. Karaike in producing many novel trains.
However, "This time," Mr. Karaike says, "even Mr. Mitooka seemed stuck, probably asking himself 'What could the world's most luxurious design for a train be?'"
After traveling around the world to study luxury trains by actually riding them, the first design that Mr. Mitooka came up with was a futuristic one with all visible sides made of glass. Mr. Karaike says this was one of the very few times he rejected Mr. Mitooka's proposals.
"I told Mr. Mitooka that what people regard as fancy or luxurious must largely depend on their past experience, so we should stay within the boundaries of their expectations," says Mr. Karaike.
The design that Mr. Mitooka came up with after another two weeks was absolutely magnificent. With that one, they began building the train. Engineers with cutting-edge expertise and skills were recruited to work on the train car frames and its furnishings. Half of the train attendants were experienced professionals recruited from outside the company and countries worldwide based on their impressive backgrounds.
"When I asked them why they were interested in working with us, they all said, 'I want to be part of the team because I understand it aims to provide the world's best service.' I guess the expression 'the world's best' motivates us all," Mr. Karaike says.
While preparations were steadily underway, Mr. Mitooka felt that something was still missing, so he asked an Arita ware potter named Sakaida Kakiemon XIV, who was the predecessor of the current heir, for help. Sinks and lamp bodies in the guest rooms and art objects decorating the inside of the train became his last work.
"The Seven Stars in Kyushu created with the shared ambition of making the 'world's best' luxury sleeper train finally began operations in 2013," Mr. Karaike says.
Even today, four years after it began operating, the average ratio of reservation seekers to seats available surpasses 20 to 1. With the Seven Stars in Kyushu helping JR Kyushu gain popularity, its other tourist trains have begun attracting more passengers, together leading the company to success.

Strengthening one's qi creates moving experiences

On October 15, 2013, the day the Seven Stars in Kyushu made its first trip, 100,000 people from all over Kyushu gathered along the railway line. Mr. Karaike says, "Almost no one seemed able to hold back their tears as they waved at the train, admiring it."
Its passengers were also moved to tears, shedding tears of joy at least 4 or 5 times throughout the three-night, four-day ride and one good last time at a farewell party held on the final day, which seemed infectious as the crew also joined them.
But, why does the Seven Stars in Kyushu move so many people to tears?
"The secret lies in the power of qi," says Mr. Karaike.
If you look up the word "qi" in a dictionary, it will say something comparable to "The momentum that drives a person's life. The source of vitality."
Mr. Karaike says, "The Chinese character for 'qi' is used in words like qiryoku (energy), qihaku (vigor), and yuuqi (courage). The strength of our qi differs from one person to another. However, by strengthening it, we can all achieve our dreams. On the other hand, the only way we can strengthen our qi is by pursuing a dream. In other words, dreams and qi are inseparable."
The qi of everyone involved in building the Seven Stars in Kyushu converged into the realization of their dream of creating the world's best luxury sleeper train.
"When qi strengthens to the point of realizing its practitioner's dream, it turns into a power capable of moving others," Mr. Karaike says.
Now, how can we strengthen our qi? Pursuing a dream of course is one way. Another way that Mr. Karaike described was something he had already been demonstrating throughout his lecture.
"Put speed and energy into everything you do. Always speak in a lively voice. Stay alert to keep your guard up at all times. Try to become a better person and try harder," Mr. Karaike says.
He closed his lecture by demonstrating with his words and attitude the importance of the ability to communicate effectively.