Baron Masuda Takashi (益田 孝; November 12, 1848 – December 28, 1938) was a Japanese industrialist, investor, and art…Baron Masuda Takashi (益田 孝; November 12, 1848 – December 28, 1938) was a Japanese industrialist, investor, and art collector. He was a prominent entrepreneur in Meiji, Taishō and early Shōwa period Japan, responsible for transforming Mitsui into a zaibatsu through the creation of a general trading company, Mitsui & Co. He also established a newspaper, the Chugai Shōgyō Shimpō (中外商業新報), which was later renamed the Nihon Keizai Shimbun.
Ueno Riichi (Japanese上野理一, Go(号) : Yuuchiku (有竹); October 29, 1848, in Sasayamanishi in Tamba Province – December 31…Ueno Riichi (Japanese上野理一, Go(号) : Yuuchiku (有竹); October 29, 1848, in Sasayamanishi in Tamba Province – December 31, 1919, in Osaka ) was a Japanese newspaper manager in the Meiji and Taishō eras.
Arinobu Fukuhara (福原 有信, Fukuhara Arinobu; May 10, 1848 – March 30, 1924) was a Japanese business tycoon and pharmacist…Arinobu Fukuhara (福原 有信, Fukuhara Arinobu; May 10, 1848 – March 30, 1924) was a Japanese business tycoon and pharmacist and cosmetician, who was the head of Apothecary Shiseidō (which in 1927 would be incorporated as Shiseidō Company, Ltd.) and Toku Fukuhara (福原 とく, Fukuhara Toku). Arinobu Fukuhara is known internationally because of the Arinobu Fukuhara House at Hakone, which Frank Lloyd Wright designed in 1918 as a Prairie-style vacation villa for the extended Fukuhara family. Born in Awa, Chiba-ken, he rose to become Chief Pharmacist of the Imperial Japanese Navy. In retirement, he embarked on a second career which would bring fame and fortune. He was also president of the Aikoko Insurance Company.
Amemiya Keijiro (Japanese 雨宮 敬次郎 Amemiya Keijiro:, October 24, 1846 – January 20, 1911) was a Japanese entrepreneur…Amemiya Keijiro (Japanese 雨宮 敬次郎 Amemiya Keijiro:, October 24, 1846 – January 20, 1911) was a Japanese entrepreneur, financier, and investor. One of the leaders of the regional Koshu Zaibatsu, a group of Koshu merchants who banded together to engage in business. His nickname was "king of speculators" (Japanese: 投機界の魔王) and "the railroad king of the Meiji era" (Japanese: 明治の鉄道王).
Ishiguro Tadanori (石黒 忠悳; March 18, 1845 [February 11, Kōka 2] – April 26, 1941 [Shōwa 16]) was a Japanese Imperial…Ishiguro Tadanori (石黒 忠悳; March 18, 1845 [February 11, Kōka 2] – April 26, 1941 [Shōwa 16]) was a Japanese Imperial Army surgeon general during the Meiji period and served as president of the Japanese Red Cross Society. He was also a practitioner of the Japanese tea ceremony. He played a central role in establishing Japan's military medical system in its formative years. His noble title was that of viscount.
Chisaka Takamasa (千坂 高雅; 11 March 1841 – 3 December 1912) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period who went on to…Chisaka Takamasa (千坂 高雅; 11 March 1841 – 3 December 1912) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period who went on to become a soldier, government official, and businessman in the Meiji era. He served as a karō in the Yonezawa Domain's administration.
Shibusawa Eiichi, 1st Viscount Shibusawa (渋沢 栄一; 16 March 1840 – 11 November 1931) was a Japanese business magnate…Shibusawa Eiichi, 1st Viscount Shibusawa (渋沢 栄一; 16 March 1840 – 11 November 1931) was a Japanese business magnate widely known today as the "Father of Japanese capitalism", having introduced Western capitalism to Japan after the Meiji Restoration. He introduced many economic reforms including use of double-entry accounting, joint-stock corporations and modern note-issuing banks. He founded the first modern bank based on joint stock ownership in Japan. The bank was aptly named The First National Bank (Dai Ichi Kokuritsu Ginkō, now merged into Mizuho Bank) and had the power to issue its own notes. Through this bank, he founded hundreds of other joint stock corporations in Japan. Many of these companies still survive to this day as quoted companies in the Tokyo Stock Exchange, which Shibusawa also founded. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry was founded by him as well. He was also involved in the foundation of many hospitals, schools, universities (including the first women's university), the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo and charitable organizations including the Japanese Red Cross Society. Another notable aspect of Shibusawa's career is that, despite being the founder of hundreds of corporations, he refused to maintain a controlling stake in these corporations, effectively preventing himself from forming a zaibatsu. What is known as the Shibusawa zaibatsu was a holding company to look after his estate for his family. The Shibusawa Zaibatsu did not hold any controlling stake in any companies. Despite his humble origin as a farmer, he was granted the title of Viscount, while all other zaibatsu founders were awarded the title of Baron. He was also awarded Shōnii, Second Honour under the ritsuryō rank system, which is usually given to high-ranking nobility and prime ministers. Shibusawa is featured on the 10,000 yen note, one of the new designs that went into circulation on 3 July 2024. Shibusawa was also printed on bank notes issued by the Korea First Bank, which he owned, in 1902. The choice of Shibusawa has previously been criticised in South Korea.
Count Gotō Shōjirō (後藤 象二郎; 13 April 1838 – 4 August 1897) was a Japanese samurai and politician during the Bakumatsu…Count Gotō Shōjirō (後藤 象二郎; 13 April 1838 – 4 August 1897) was a Japanese samurai and politician during the Bakumatsu and early Meiji period of Japanese history. He was a leader of Freedom and People's Rights Movement (自由民権運動, jiyū minken undō) which would evolve into a political party.
Baron Ōkura Kihachirō (大倉 喜八郎; 23 October 1837 – 5 April 1928) was a Japanese businessman, investor, and…Baron Ōkura Kihachirō (大倉 喜八郎; 23 October 1837 – 5 April 1928) was a Japanese businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He was the corporate progenitor of the Ōkura-gumi zaibatsu, which later became the Taisei Corporation, and the Ōkura Shōgyō Gakkō ("Okura Commerce School") which later became Tokyo University of Economics in 1949. In contrast to most of the zaibatsu, the Ōkura zaibatsu was founded by someone from the peasant class.
Shōzō Kawasaki (川崎 正蔵; 2 December 1837 – 2 December 1912) was a Japanese industrialist and shipbuilder. He was the…Shōzō Kawasaki (川崎 正蔵; 2 December 1837 – 2 December 1912) was a Japanese industrialist and shipbuilder. He was the founder of Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
Kawada Koichirō (川田 小一郎; October 4, 1836 – November 7, 1896) was a Japanese businessman, central banker and the 3rd…Kawada Koichirō (川田 小一郎; October 4, 1836 – November 7, 1896) was a Japanese businessman, central banker and the 3rd Governor of the Bank of Japan (BOJ). He was created a Baron; and he was a member of Japan's House of Peers.
Iwasaki Yatarō (岩崎 弥太郎; January 9, 1835 – February 7, 1885) was a Japanese industrialist and financier known as the…Iwasaki Yatarō (岩崎 弥太郎; January 9, 1835 – February 7, 1885) was a Japanese industrialist and financier known as the founder of Mitsubishi, one of Japan's largest conglomerates.
Senbon Hisanobu (13 July 1827 – 15 October 1885) was a Japanese politician of the early Meiji period who served as…Senbon Hisanobu (13 July 1827 – 15 October 1885) was a Japanese politician of the early Meiji period who served as governor of Hiroshima Prefecture from 15 to 27 November 1871.
Cornelia van Nijenroode (c. 1629 – c. 1692) was a Dutch merchant in the Dutch East Indies, famous for her conflict with…Cornelia van Nijenroode (c. 1629 – c. 1692) was a Dutch merchant in the Dutch East Indies, famous for her conflict with her second husband.
Yūsuke Makiyama (牧山 雄亮, Makiyama Yūsuke; born April 2, 1980), known professionally as Yūsuke Tomoi (友井 雄亮, Tomoi…Yūsuke Makiyama (牧山 雄亮, Makiyama Yūsuke; born April 2, 1980), known professionally as Yūsuke Tomoi (友井 雄亮, Tomoi Yūsuke) is a former Japanese actor, best known for his role as Ryou Asihara/Kamen Rider Gills in Kamen Rider Agito.
Shunji Igarashi (五十嵐 隼士, Igarashi Shunji; born August 7, 1986) is a Japanese entrepreneur and former actor known for…Shunji Igarashi (五十嵐 隼士, Igarashi Shunji; born August 7, 1986) is a Japanese entrepreneur and former actor known for his role as Mirai Hibino/Ultraman Mebius in the 2006-2007 tokusatsu series Ultraman Mebius and several spin-offs in the Ultra Series following that. Igarashi was affiliated with the acting unit D-BOYS, produced by Watanabe Entertainment.
Eiko Tanaka (田中 栄子, Tanaka Eiko) is a Japanese anime entrepreneur, the co-founder and current chief executive officer…Eiko Tanaka (田中 栄子, Tanaka Eiko) is a Japanese anime entrepreneur, the co-founder and current chief executive officer of Studio 4°C and producer of the studio. She is also the CEO of a producing company called Beyond C. Tanaka was one of the supporters of Studio Ghibli at its inception as a line producer. At Studio 4°C, Tanaka charts the path from scenario to completion of the work and determines the image of the work, including casting, staffing and setting, while at Beyond C., she is mainly responsible for planning and production, as well as fundraising and production management. Starting with the 1995 film Memories, Tanaka has produced a diverse range of video works for Studio 4°C, including films, short movies, music videos, TV commercials and footage for games. The film Mind Game, which was first directed by Masaaki Yuasa, and. the film Tekkonkinkreet, based on the popular comic book by Taiyō Matsumoto and completed after 13 years of planning, received high acclaim from all quarters. Mind Game won the Grand Prize at the Japan Media Arts Festival. In 2002, she co-produced The Animatrix with Warner Bros. Tanaka has established Studio 4°C's reputation as an elite creative group, unique among Japanese animation studios, by continuing to emphasise the individuality of its creators and working with them to create cutting-edge visual expressions. Having experienced a time when there were fewer female production assistants, Tanaka has worked on changing the culture on the production floor so that both men and women can work comfortably.
Tadashi Maeda (前田 正, Maeda Tadashi; December 7, 1946 – October 28, 2013) was a Japanese politician who served two terms…Tadashi Maeda (前田 正, Maeda Tadashi; December 7, 1946 – October 28, 2013) was a Japanese politician who served two terms in the House of Representatives.
Kazutsugi Nami (波 和二, Nami Kazutsugi; b. 19 May 1933 in Mie Prefecture) is a Japanese businessman and chairman of…Kazutsugi Nami (波 和二, Nami Kazutsugi; b. 19 May 1933 in Mie Prefecture) is a Japanese businessman and chairman of Tokyo-based bedding supplier Ladies & Gentlemen (L&G). He has been involved in a number of fraudulent schemes since the 1970s, and was arrested most recently on 4 February 2009 on suspicion of orchestrating a massive investor fraud involving the "Enten" quasi-currency.
Momofuku Ando (Japanese: 安藤 百福, Hepburn: Andō Momofuku; March 5, 1910 – January 5, 2007), born Go Pek-Hok (Chinese…Momofuku Ando (Japanese: 安藤 百福, Hepburn: Andō Momofuku; March 5, 1910 – January 5, 2007), born Go Pek-Hok (Chinese: 吳百福; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Gô͘ Pek-hok; Tâi-lô: Gôo Pik-hok), was a Taiwanese-born, ethnic Chinese, Japanese inventor and businessman who founded Nissin Food Products Co., Ltd. He is known as the inventor of Nissin Chikin Ramen, the first brand of commercially available prepackaged instant noodles, and the creator of the brands Top Ramen and Cup Noodles.
Mayumi Shō (荘 真由美, Shō Mayumi; born February 5, 1965 in Tokyo) is a Japanese retired voice actress. She formerly worked…Mayumi Shō (荘 真由美, Shō Mayumi; born February 5, 1965 in Tokyo) is a Japanese retired voice actress. She formerly worked at Aoni Production and is now a director at Kekke Corporation. She is married to voice actor Keiichi Nanba.
Marquess Asano Nagakoto (浅野 長勲; 28 August 1842 – 1 February 1937) was a daimyō of Hiroshima Domain for a short time…Marquess Asano Nagakoto (浅野 長勲; 28 August 1842 – 1 February 1937) was a daimyō of Hiroshima Domain for a short time after the Meiji Restoration. For the rest of the Meiji period, he was a politician and diplomat, and was one of the last surviving Japanese daimyō (Hayashi Tadataka and Wakebe Mitsunori outlived him).
Momosuke Fukuzawa (福澤 桃介 Fukuzawa Momosuke, June 25, 1868 – February 2, 1938) was a Japanese businessman nicknamed "The…Momosuke Fukuzawa (福澤 桃介 Fukuzawa Momosuke, June 25, 1868 – February 2, 1938) was a Japanese businessman nicknamed "The Wizard of the Money Markets" for his financial success and "The King of Electrical Power" for being the first Japanese to introduce hydroelectric power to the country. He formulated his ideology of 'ikkasen hitokaisha' (one river for one company).
Hiroyuki Nishimura (西村 博之, Nishimura Hiroyuki; born 16 November 1976) is a Japanese internet entrepreneur. He founded…Hiroyuki Nishimura (西村 博之, Nishimura Hiroyuki; born 16 November 1976) is a Japanese internet entrepreneur. He founded the message board 2channel, and is the owner of 4chan. He is also a self-help author and TV personality. He is often known by his given name, hiroyuki (ひろゆき), which he uses, rendered intentionally in lowercase, both as a pen name and as a username. Until February 2013, he was a director of, and advisor to, Niwango, operator of the video-sharing service niconico. Christopher Poole, the founder of 4chan, formally announced on 21 September 2015, that he had sold the website to Nishimura. After a dispute with 2channel's hosting provider, Nishimura no longer administrates 2channel, but instead operates a competitor to it, 2ch.sc.
Shiho Fujita (Japanese: 藤田 志穂, romanized: Fujita Shiho; born May 11, 1985), known by her stage name Sifow (stylized as…Shiho Fujita (Japanese: 藤田 志穂, romanized: Fujita Shiho; born May 11, 1985), known by her stage name Sifow (stylized as sifow), is a former Japanese pop singer, model and businesswoman. She signed to the Avex Trax music label in 2006, but in 2008 she announced her retirement from the music industry. She has since focused on business and health advocacy, and established Office G-Revo Corporation in 2010.
Haruka Shimada (島田 晴香, Shimada Haruka; born 16 December 1992) is a Japanese businessperson and former singer and…Haruka Shimada (島田 晴香, Shimada Haruka; born 16 December 1992) is a Japanese businessperson and former singer and actress. She is a former member of AKB48, and has founded two companies aiming to provide second career options for aspiring and active entertainers.
Aiyappan Pillai Madhavan Nair (1905–1990), also known as Nair-san, was closely involved with the Indian independence…Aiyappan Pillai Madhavan Nair (1905–1990), also known as Nair-san, was closely involved with the Indian independence movement in Japan during the 1920s through the 1940s.
Yim Sovann (Khmer: យឹម សុវណ្ណ; born 28 September 1964) is a Cambodian politician, who was the Spokesperson and…Yim Sovann (Khmer: យឹម សុវណ្ណ; born 28 September 1964) is a Cambodian politician, who was the Spokesperson and President of the Executive Committee of the Cambodia National Rescue Party. He was an elected member of the Cambodian parliament representing Phnom Penh until 2017, when the Cambodia National Rescue Party was dissolved. He is also a successful businessman, and a father of two children. He also served as Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Yim Sovann was first elected to represent Phnom Penh in the National Assembly of Cambodia in 1998. Age just 34 at the time, he was Cambodia's youngest parliamentarian. He ventured into Cambodian politics as the Secretary to the Minister of Finance in 1993 and later became a founding member of the Khmer Nation Party (later changed its name to Sam Rainsy Party). He was the Treasurer and Spokesperson of the Sam Rainsy Party. When the Cambodian National Rescue Party was formed, he was appointed President of the Executive Committee of the party as well as being the Party's Spokesperson. He was also the Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission on Interior, National Defense, and Civil Service Administration from 2005 to 2008 in the National Assembly of Cambodia. In January 2015, he became Secretary General of the Parliamentary Minority Group. In December 2016 following Sam Rainsy's exile, he became Deputy Leader of the Opposition until the position was abolished by Parliament on 31 January 2017. Yim Sovann is known for his public speeches, his anti-corruption stances and his stances on human rights in Cambodia. his nomination for the Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission on Investigation and Anti-Corruption, was rejected by the ruling Cambodian People's Party on 27 August 2014. He has been an long time lawmaker having been elected since 1998.
Takatoshi Tsujimura is a Japanese scientist and businessman known for display and lighting commercialization. He is the…Takatoshi Tsujimura is a Japanese scientist and businessman known for display and lighting commercialization. He is the president of SID (Society for Information Display), world's largest information display society, located in Campbell, CA, USA. He was selected as one of the "10 best engineers/researcher in 10 best Japanese companies" by Nikkei Electronics Magazine in 2001. Tsujimura demonstrated high color reproduction OLED technology using so called "White + Color Filter" method. Tsujimura has also made the world's first manufacturing of roll-to-roll OLED lighting using plastic barrier film technology. He has been awarded Fellow titles from both SID and IEEE and has received SID Special Recognition Award in 2007 and IEEE-EDS Paul Rappaport Award in 2016.
Adebayo Alonge is a Nigerian pharmacist, inventor, deep tech entrepreneur, and market development professional. He is…Adebayo Alonge is a Nigerian pharmacist, inventor, deep tech entrepreneur, and market development professional. He is the winner of the 2019 Hello Tomorrow Global Deeptech Challenge, known as the BNP Paribas Group Deep Tech Award, for creating a handheld nanoscanner that detects counterfeit drugs. He is the CEO and co-founder of RxAll Inc., a U.S. based deep tech start-up firm. He studied in Lagos.
Leong Mun Wai (born 25 September 1959) is a Singaporean politician and former investment banker who served as…Leong Mun Wai (born 25 September 1959) is a Singaporean politician and former investment banker who served as Secretary-General of the Progress Singapore Party between 2023 and 2024 and re-elected since 2025 and as a Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) between 2020 and 2025. An Overseas Merit Scholar and Sloan Fellow, Leong worked at the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) and Merrill Lynch, before joining OCBC Securities, and later DBS Vickers, as managing director. He joined the PSP in 2020, contesting in the West Coast Group Representation Constituency where his team narrowly lost to the PAP. He was appointed an NCMP that same year.
Jiang Hongjie (simplified Chinese: 江洪杰; traditional Chinese: 江洪傑; pinyin: Jiāng Hóngjié; Wade–Giles: Chiang Hung-chieh…Jiang Hongjie (simplified Chinese: 江洪杰; traditional Chinese: 江洪傑; pinyin: Jiāng Hóngjié; Wade–Giles: Chiang Hung-chieh; Hepburn: Kō Kōketsu; born 1876) was a politician, diplomat and industrialist in the late Empire of China and early Republic of China. He was also an important politician in the Reformed Government of the Republic of China. His courtesy name was Ziyin (子因).
Kaichi Watanabe (渡邊 嘉一, Watanabe Kaichi; 22 March 1858 – 4 December 1932) was a Japanese engineer who studied and…Kaichi Watanabe (渡邊 嘉一, Watanabe Kaichi; 22 March 1858 – 4 December 1932) was a Japanese engineer who studied and worked in Scotland, United Kingdom during the 1880s. He was one of the first Japanese engineers who came to study in the UK. He is best known for his work with Sir John Fowler and Sir Benjamin Baker in cantilever bridge construction, notably on the Forth Bridge. Watanabe studied under Henry Dyer, the Scottish engineer associated with technical education in Japan. After obtaining a degree from the Faculty of Technology of the University of Tokyo, he studied at the University of Glasgow from 1885 and graduated with a Civil Engineering and Bachelor of Science degree, and worked as a construction foreman on the Forth Bridge, which crossed the Firth of Forth in eastern Scotland in 1890. Watanabe's image became well known in the 1887 photograph illustrating the cantilever principle, in which he poses with Fowler and Baker, suspended between the engineers who form a cantilever structure with their arms. Watanabe returned to Japan in 1888, where he became the chief engineer of the Nippon Doboku Company. He then worked at a number of other companies, including the Hokuestsu Railway Company. He was president of the Sangu Railway Company, Keio Electric Tramway, the Ishikawajima shipyard in Tokyo, and the Kansai Gas company. Conductor Takashi Asahina was the illegitimate son of Watanabe.
