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.
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Akiyama (left) pictured at Suzuka circuit in 1964 with Shinroku Momose (right) of Subaru fame.
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Akiyama (left) with a completed boxer engine.
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The Subaru prototype A-5 that was used to test the boxer engine.
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The Subaru 1000, which went on sale in May 1966.
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Japan’s first mass-production water-cooled horizontally-opposed engine, as used in the Subaru 1000.
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Internal workings of the boxer engine and its transmission.