Toshio frequently traveled to Manchuria to visit a sales subsidiary that the company had established in 1940. At the time most people traveled by sea, as air travel was still in its early stages and considered not only expensive but dangerous. During takeoff Toshio was careful to make sure that his seat belt was fastened securely. He did this not out of fear but as a precaution. As the plane's propeller increased speed, Toshio felt an odd sense of foreboding and once again checked his seat belt. Just after the plane left the ground, a sudden hard jolt occurred and Toshio could see that the plane had hit a forest of pine trees situated along the coastline. The plane crashed nose down leaving many passengers who had not fastened their seat belts dead or seriously wounded. Toshio, however, walked away without injury. This was his second narrow escape from death since the warehouse explosion of his childhood. Once again Toshio's strong instincts saved his life.