Jiro Shirasu was a leading Japanese businessman in the postwar era, famously described by the GHQ as “the only Japanese who would not be obedient.”
I’ve long admired him, and once had the chance to visit his former home, Buan-so.

Buan-so, the former Shirasu residence

Shirasu was known not only as Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida’s trusted right-hand man, but also as a lifelong car enthusiast. While studying at Cambridge, he owned a 1924 Bentley 3-Litre Speed Model and a Bugatti. Even past the age of 80, he continued to drive his Porsche 911 S. In his later years, he bought a first-generation Toyota Soarer and wrote directly to the car’s chief engineer with suggestions for improvement.

At first glance, the Porsche and the Soarer seem worlds apart. Yet both embody a philosophy that Shirasu recognized and valued. By exploring his character and his passion for cars, let’s consider the ideals that shaped Japan’s automotive industry.

Jiro Shirasu: 83 Years of Staying True to His Principles

Born in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, in 1902, Jiro Shirasu was already fascinated by cars as a student at Kobe First Middle School.

While studying at the University of Cambridge, he drove a Bentley 3-Litre Speed Model and a Bugatti Type 35, honing his eye for great automobiles. After returning to Japan, he built a career as a businessman, then served as a close aide to Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida after the war, negotiating with GHQ. There’s also a story from his time as chairman of Tohoku Electric Power: dressed in a hard hat, sunglasses, and rubber boots, he drove a Land Rover Defender himself to inspect dam construction sites.

His Deep Attachment to a 1968 Porsche 911 S

The car Shirasu cherished into his later years was a 1968 Porsche 911 S.

*Image source: Buan-so, the former Shirasu residence

Powered by a 2.0-liter flat-six producing 160 horsepower, the car still didn’t quite satisfy him: he later had its engine replaced with a 2.4-liter unit. It’s a telling example of his determination to pursue the driving experience he wanted, rather than simply owning a car.

Since its debut in 1963, the Porsche 911 has retained its rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Its commitment to a defining philosophy, even as the years pass, echoes Shirasu’s own lifelong devotion to “principle.” He likely kept driving his 911 S well into his 80s because he understood better than most the car’s “irreplaceable value.”

A Letter to the First Soarer’s Chief Engineer: The “No Substitute” Philosophy

In 1981, Toyota launched the first-generation Soarer.

Like the Toyota 2000GT before it, the Soarer was tasked with proving the strength of Toyota’s engineering. Chief engineer Toshihiro Okada equipped it with innovative automotive electronics and a bespoke engine. But one person had some pointed feedback. The story goes that Toyota president Shoichiro Toyoda contacted Okada, setting the stage for his meeting with Shirasu.

Some time later, Shirasu sent Okada a letter along with a dozen golf balls. In it, he listed five areas for improvement:

Steering-wheel diameter, minimum turning radius, power-steering assistance, cramped rear seats, and insufficient battery capacity. The battery issue had even prompted an actual complaint, so Shirasu’s criticism was right on target. His advice for developing the second-generation Soarer was especially memorable: “No Substitute—build a car that can’t be replaced.” The sentiment resonates with the philosophy Porsche has consistently put into the 911. Porsche itself has often used “There is no substitute” as a slogan.

The Shared Philosophy Behind the Soarer and Porsche: No Compromises

Interestingly, Okada, the Soarer’s chief engineer, was also a Porsche driver.

He had been a 911 enthusiast since his days at Toyota and reportedly drove a 930-generation 911 for many years. The Soarer was designed to take on the high-performance GT class, then dominated by European cars. The fact that its chief engineer deeply understood and loved Porsche says a lot about the car’s true character.

The “No Substitute” ideal that Shirasu recognized applies to both the Porsche 911 and the Soarer.

The 911 has retained its fundamental design for more than 60 years, while the Soarer proved that Japan’s automotive industry could compete with the world on equal terms. What the two cars share is a clear sense of purpose: “It has to be this car.” Perhaps Shirasu loved the Porsche 911 while also candidly advising Toyota on how to improve the Soarer because he saw the same potential in both.