No helmet can protect every driver or every rider in every scenario. “With the limited space between the shell and wearer’s head,” explained Michio Arai, “we have to prepare for impacts that exceed our imagination.” The search for improvements is never-ending. “A big change, trying to do too much at once, could lead to something negative,” said Michio Arai. “By look- ing at the details, we can accumulate small gains in protection. And we’re still doing it, little by little, year after year.” Arai believes strongly in this direct approach. “No college professor can show me a better solution for protection,” he said. “No computer can do it. “I had to develop it together with the men and women on my team, who worked hands-on with the helmet.”
“The human hand is a gift from somebody up there,” said Michio Arai, pointing to the heavens. “That is what we believe. Our people—with no calculations, just with what they have in their minds, their feel and touch—use this gift to make shapes to give riders better protection.” Nearly a century after Hirotake Arai drew himself up to his full height on the saddle of a big
“What we protect is more valuable than money. Everyone at Arai, if they are dedicated, if they work together in the same direction, they can do something. They can be proud. That’s the value. The value of what we protect is most important. “Our business is small, but the value of what we are seeking—accumulating gains little by little—is more precious than anything else in this world. I’m happy that I’m in this business, but I will never be as great as the helmet. Protection makes the value. That’s Arai.” “What we protect is more valuable than money. Everyone at Arai, if they are dedicated, if they work together in the same direction, they can do something. They can be proud. That’s the value. The value of what we protect is most important. “Our business is small, but the value of what we are seeking—accumulating gains little by little— is more precious than anything else in this world. I’m happy that I’m in this business, but I will never be as great as the helmet. “Protection makes the value. That’s Arai.”
American V-twin, posing proudly for a photogra- pher’s camera, the company bearing his name, that he founded, continues to protect motorcyclists. “I’m glad my father started this business,” reflected Michio Arai. “I never thought of changing ownership or selling the company. I want to keep Arai going the same way. Whoever runs the business after me should carry on the same as I have.
Michio Arai
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