Masayuki OBA (Born in March 1952)

   Masayuki Oba has dedicated over 50 years to the logistics industry. He began his extensive career in logistics at Nippon Express Co., Ltd. where he spent more than 30 years specializing in international cargo forwarding. During this tenure, he gained extensive global experience, including a four-and-half-year assignment in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and over six years in Cebu, the Philippines.

  After retiring from Nippon Express, he spent nearly three years sharing his expertise with a logistics firm in Bangkok, Thailand. Upon returning to Japan, he was immediately called upon by the owner of the Tri Group, along-time associate, to lead the team in the Philippines. In May 2015, he assumed his post in Laguna, where he continues to guide the company's vision and operations today.

 【Publications & Historical Research】

  During his time in Bangkok, Mr. Oba traveled extensively through Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar to observe local logistics landscapes. This journey inspired his self-published book:

・"Traveling the Economic Corridor: Roads of the Mekong River Basin as Seen by a CARGO-MAN"

  Deeply connected to the history of the regions where he has worked, he published his second major work in November 2024:

・"Searching for the Mango Tree: A Cargo-Man's Pilgrimage to the Battlefield of the Philippines"

  This book chronicles a journey that began on July 6, 2018, with a trip to northern Luzon to pay respects to fallen soldiers of the former Japanese military. Driven by a desire to understand the realities of the war, his pilgrimage extended to the Bataan Peninsula, Cebu, and Leyte, continuing until April 2022.

  Through exhaustive research of historical literature and firsthand visits, Mr. Oba sough to examine the historical truths of these battles in his own way, including a thoughtful analysis of the tragic "Bataan Death March."

  He visited the monument sites marking the final days of Imperial Japanese Army Generals Tomoyuki Yamashita and Masaharu Homma, reflecting on their final moments and exploring the historical locations of their executions.

  The volume concludes with his research into the former Japanese prisoner-of-war camp and cemetery located in Canlubang, Laguna Province.

  For an old "cargo-man" who is not a writer by trade, embarking on such a demanding historical record was a monumental task. It was a labor of love and dedication that spanned six years, finally reaching completion in June 2024.

【Qualifications & Personal Interests】

・Professional Qualifications: Registered Customs Specialist (national qualification of Japan), Certified Operational Manager for truck transport (national qualification of Japan), Awarded a "DIPLOMA" from the IATA/FIATA Cargo Agent's Professional Training.

・Sake Expertise (Lifestyle): Certified Sake Sommelier (唎酒師-Kikisakeshi)

  While stationed at the Niigata Air Branch of Nippon Express, Mr. Oba discovered the exquisite depth of Niigata's local sake. This passion led him to become a certified Sake Sommelier. Today he runs a bilingual (Japanese and English) website dedicated to sharing the rich culture and enjoyment of Japanese sake with enthusiasts worldwide.