Who was the first Japanese woman pilot to fly to other coutries? Kiku Nishizaki was.
Kiku Nishizaki was born in Saitama in 1912. She was an active girl. When she was twu, she climbed up to the roof of her house. That was a big surprise to her parents.
When she was a schoolgirl, she was more active than of her friends.
In 1929, Kiku Nishizaki finished teachers' college and became a teacher in her village. She enjoyed her work.
One day in fall, she went to the airfield with her friends. There she touched a plane for the first time in her life.
A few month later, she got on a plane and sat in the cockpit. That was the most exiting experience of her life.
In those days few women wanted to become pilots. But Kiku Nishizaki liked flying better than teaching.
She entered a pilots' school and trained hard to become a pilot. At last she got her license.
One day, when she was flying to China, she had engine trouble. She had to land on a river bank ato night. She said to herself, “Next time I'll fly better.”
She was the first Japanese woman pilot to fly to other coutries.
In 1935, Kiku Nishizaki a prize from the FAI in Paris as the best pilot. “When I heard the good news, I couldn't belive my ears,” she said. “I like this prize the best of all. Because Charles Rindbergh also won the same prize. I'm proud of it more than anything eles.”
Kiku always said, “Have a dream. Work hard for it, and your dream will come true.”
