In March,1919, Tomizo finished elementary school. Never in his wildest dreams had he thought he would go on to junior high school. He knew circumstances did not allow him to do so. The only way he should take was to go into service as an apprentice.

1919 was the year export to other countries, especially to Asian countries, began flourishing. The steel industry was active and production of fabrics, ships, machines increased rapidly.

Sensing the tendency of the times, Shozo thought Tomizo should acquire some kind of skill, rather than become a storekeeper. One day when finishing of school was close at hand, Shozo told his son, "Will you go to Kawaguchi to get some job?  I know a person who runs an ironworks at Kawaguchi." And Shozo explained to him in detail why he recommended him to do so.

Tomizo replied "Yes I will." And that brief answer fell to his lot to live the major part of his life at Kawaguchi.

It was April 24, 1919 that Tomizo went through the gate of Kohara Ironworks, Kawaguchi. He was 12 years of age. In those days Kawaguchi was known as the town of foundries. And besides foundries, ironworks were noticeably increasing at the town around 1920.
Kohara Ironworks mainly handled processing of joints in the water pipes. It was also making gears.