Autobiography of Naoki Sakai, the Legendary Marketer Who Created Hit Cars with Concepts Alone, Without Design! How He Transformed Numerous "Failures" Behind His Success into "Assets" and Reset from Rock Bottom.

My life has been a series of peaks and valleys. But what truly holds value is the time spent in the valleys.

Peaks are decided by others. Media and clients get excited on their own, eventually leading to boredom.

Valleys are different. Outside voices fade, and only the sound of my own breathing remains. It's there that the next weapon is sharpened.

Both Be-1 and Brand Data Bank were born in the valleys. The valley is the womb of creation.

When in the valley, one goes unnoticed.

That's why one can quietly hone their weapons. This accumulation supports the next peak.

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Original Concepter Naoki Sakai Reveals His Unorthodox Survival Strategy

Naoki Sakai, who worked on the concept designs for Nissan's "Be-1," "Pao," and "Figaro," established the new profession of "concepter" in Japanese manufacturing.

However, this book is not merely a memoir of a successful person.

Now, at 78 years old, he can finally reveal the raw record of his failures and rebirths.

Economic hardship due to the collapse of the bubble economy, rent arrears, and even false accusations in the "Odajima incident"...

Furthermore, the unspeakable deep sorrow of losing his beloved son.

How did he take the first step to resurface from a state where he had lost everything, during a period when he was walking through life's "valley"?

This book describes the "reset method" for rising again and again from rock bottom, derived from his real-life experiences of overcoming numerous despairs.

A highly practical "survival strategy" that only an author who has alternately experienced success and failure can tell.

Business professionals and creators, as well as all those in the depths of despair struggling with their careers and lives, should definitely pick up this book.

● Author Profile

Naoki Sakai / Concepter

Representative Director, Water Design Inc. / Board of Directors, Speedy Inc.

Born in 1947. After entering Kyoto City University of Arts, Department of Design, he moved to the United States.

He established Tattoo Company in San Francisco and sold "Tattoo T-shirts."

After returning to Japan, he worked as a textile designer.

In 1987, he worked on the concept design for Nissan's "Be-1" and launched it into the world.

Subsequently, he was involved in product development both domestically and internationally, including the Olympus "O-Product," which is permanently preserved at MoMA, creating numerous hit products.

Former Professor at Keio University. He presides over "Design Management Club / DMC" at DMM Online Salon.

Book Title: "Walking the Valley — A Life Built with Failure"

Author: Naoki Sakai

Release Date: April 17, 2026

Book Price: 3,300 yen (3,000 yen + tax)

Kindle Price: 2,640 yen

ISBN Code: 978-4-7711-1085-4

Publisher: Speedy Inc.

Amazon URL: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4771110859

Kindle URL: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0H1C7K2JC