[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 71 (Friday, June 9, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E933-E934]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO AKIRA INOUE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 8, 2000

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, Each year, the Guam Chamber of Commerce 
selects the ``Small Business Person of the Year'' from a pool of 
individuals and business partners who either own and operate or bear 
principal responsibility for small business establishments on Guam. The 
chamber takes into account staying power, sales growth, growth in 
payroll, innovativeness in product or service, response to adversity, 
and civic contributions. This year the honor was bestowed upon local 
businessman, Akira Inoue.
  Having held assignments in Australia, New Guinea, Saipan and other 
neighboring islands, Akira chose to settle on Guam, an island he deemed 
to be the ideal hub for Japanese oriented businesses. On September 1, 
1968, he established Nanbo Guam, Ltd. Initially engaged in the 
importation and wholesale of general merchandise from Japan, Nanbo Guam 
started underwriting insurance in June of 1969.
  With neither experience nor training in the insurance business, Akira 
assumed the function of general agent for The Tokio Marine and Fire 
Insurance Co., Ltd., of Japan. The company enjoyed a steady growth and, 
with it, the

[[Page E934]]

trust and support of the Guam community. When Typhoon Pamela devastated 
the island of Guam in 1976, Nanbo Guam's efforts to provide prompt 
settlements did not go unnoticed. Along with their good reputation came 
new applicants and increased premium sales. Akira credits this as the 
basis of Nanbo Guam's success.
  Through the years, Nanbo Guam has developed and grown steadily. In 
1977, the company began handling life insurance as the general agent 
for Pacific Guardian Life, Honolulu. In 1978, they established the Sun 
Rise, Inc., and opened the Japan Food Supermarket. In the 1980's, Nanbo 
Guam engaged in real estate ventures and revived their import business 
by establishing the Nanbo Trading Company. In the 1990's, they 
broadened the scope of their insurance business by concluding another 
general agency agreement property and casualty insurance with the 
Nippon Fire and Marine Insurance Co., Ltd., of Japan and by securing a 
claims agency agreement from the United Services Automobile 
Association. Akira Inoue's business acumen, innovations and his capable 
direction is undoubtedly the driving force behind Nanbo Guam's success.
  Outside of his business ventures, Akira additionally devotes personal 
time and resources to civic and community activities. As one of the 
founding members of the Japan Club of Guam, he served as its first 
vice-president in 1972. From 1973 through 1977, he served as the club's 
president. During his tenure, he was instrumental in raising donations 
for the Christmas Seal Fund Drive. He was also actively involved with 
the Vietnam Refugees Relief Drive in addition to serving on the Board 
of Governors of St. John's Episcopal School. Between 1987 and 1989, he 
was a member of the committee to establish a Japanese school on Guam. 
Serving once again as president of the Japan Club of Guam from 1992 
through 1995, he worked towards the full payment of the construction 
loan for the Japanese school and organized a relief fund drive for the 
victims of the 1995 Kobe earthquake. Akira is also a distinguished 
member of the Rotary Club of Tumon Bay.
  For over three decades, Guam's business community has reaped great 
benefits from Akira Inoue's efforts and dedication. I join his proud 
family--his wife, Machiko, his sons, Naoyuki and Tetsuji, and 
daughters, Sachiko and Yoshiko--who, together with the Guam Chamber of 
Commerce and the people of Guam, celebrate Akira Inoue's contributions 
and success. I commend and congratulate him for being chosen as this 
year's ``Small Business Person of the Year.''

                          ____________________