(1901–1990) was a Japanese aircraft designer who worked for
Mitsubishi and designed aircraft used in
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
such as the
Mitsubishi G3M (Nell) and the
Mitsubishi G4M (Betty).
During the American occupation of Japan following the end of
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, Japanese companies, including Mitsubishi, were banned from producing aircraft. For this reason, Honjo began work on non-aircraft products for civilian use.
For example, he designed the Mitsubishi “Cross” bicycle (jujigo), which was made of surplus
duralumin left over from wartime aircraft production.
Honjo also designed the winning glider used by Oka Ryoki in 1977 in the first Japan International
Birdman Rally.
On April 21, 1990, Honjo died at the age of 88 from prostate cancer.
He was portrayed in the 2013 Japanese animated movie ''
The Wind Rises'' as a colleague of the designer of the Zero fighter,
Jiro Horikoshi, going back to their days at Tokyo Imperial University. In reality, however, Honjo was senior to Horikoshi.
References
Japanese aerospace engineers
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