Mr. Akiyama recognized the advantages of a water-cooled horizontally-opposed engine, and developed compact, lightweight and low center of gravity aluminum alloy engines of high performance and long-term reliability for the first time in Japan. He made a huge contribution to the progress of automotive technology through his accomplishments, with his work becoming something of a Subaru engineering signature. In recognition of these great achievements, the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame is honored to induct Mr. Yoshio Akiyama into the Hall of Fame.

Akiyama (left) pictured at Suzuka circuit in 1964 with Shinroku Momose (right) of Subaru fame.

Akiyama (left) with a completed boxer engine.

The Subaru prototype A-5 that was used to test the boxer engine.

The Subaru 1000, which went on sale in May 1966.

Japan’s first mass-production water-cooled horizontally-opposed engine, as used in the Subaru 1000.

Internal workings of the boxer engine and its transmission.