Entrepreneur
Introductions
Aichi has been home to numerous entrepreneurs who have been instrumental in the development of the region, as well as in sparking innovation in Japan and throughout the world. The museum is a place where you can learn about many entrepreneurs who have achieved such greatness.
Open the Listof Entrepreneurs (PDF)
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1867~1930
Sakichi Toyota
Invented Japan’s first power loom and automatic loom, as well as an original circular loom that was patented worldwide. Founder of the Toyota Group.
- Related Companies:
- Toyota Industries Corporation
- Birthplace:
- Kosai-shi, Shizuoka
1894~1952
Kiichiro Toyoda
With a focus on the automobile industry, he established an automobile manufacturing division within Toyoda Automatic Loom Works. It later became an independent company known as Toyota Motor Co., Ltd.
- Related Companies:
- Toyota Motor Corporation
- Birthplace:
- Kosai-shi, Shizuoka
1888~1979
Taizo Ishida
Following Kiichiro’s resignation, he was given the task of rebuilding Toyota Motor Co., Ltd., which was in crisis. As the “Head Clerk of Toyota,” he put its management back on track.
- Related Companies:
- Toyota Motor Corporation
Toyota Industries Corporation
- Birthplace:
- Tokoname-shi, Aichi
1913~2013
Eiji Toyoda
Leading Toyota through its revival, he oversaw the development of postwar-era passenger cars such as the Crown, Corona, and Corolla. Eldest son of Sakichi Toyoda’s younger brother Heikichi.
- Related Companies:
- Toyota Motor Corporation
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1925~2023
Shoichiro Toyoda
The driving force behind Toyota’s growth to become a global powerhouse. As Chairman of the Japan Association for the 2005 World Exposition, he made the Expo in Aichi a success. Kiichiro’s eldest son.
- Related Companies:
- Toyota Motor Corporation
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1847~1921
Masaka Okuda
With beginnings as a manager of a miso and soy sauce store with some of the highest sales in Japan, he was also involved in the founding of numerous companies such as Owari Boseki, Nippon Sharyo, and Nagoya Gas. He was known as the “Eiichi Shibusawa of Nagoya”.
- Related Companies:
- NIPPON SHARYO, LTD.
Toho Gas Co., Ltd.
Nagoya Stock Exchange, Inc.
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1849~1922
Kinnosuke Kamino I
He joined Momijiya, which was run by his older brother Jusuke Tomita III, and later developed Jinno Shinden. He was also involved in the opening of businesses such as Meiji Bank, Fukuju Life Insurance, and Inuyama Line of Nagoya Electric Railway.
- Related Companies:
- Nagoya Railroad Co., Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Aisai-shi, Aichi
1851~1927
Sosuke Okaya IX
Leader of Sasaya, the Meiji-era predecessor of Okaya & Co., Ltd., establishing the foundation for the company’s trading function by exporting cloisonne and importing Western iron. He was also involved in the founding of Nagoya Spinning Co., Ltd. and Aichi Bank.
- Related Companies:
- OKAYA & CO., LTD.
MUFG Bank, Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1868~1938
Momosuke Fukuzawa
Son-in-law of Yukichi Fukuzawa. Made massive profits in the market and was involved in the establishment of many companies in the electric power, gas, and steel industries, including Nagoya Electric Light (now Chubu Electric Power).
- Related Companies:
- Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.
Daido Steel Co., Ltd．
- Birthplace:
- Yoshimi-machi, Saitama
1872~1948
Kiyonari Aikawa
As a lawyer, he became acquainted with Momosuke Fukuzawa through his appointment as auditor at Nagoya Electric Light, and had a hand in the establishment of Aichi Electric Railway. He also completed an east-west railway line that connected Shin-Nagoya and Jingumae stations.
- Related Companies:
- Nagoya Railroad Co., Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Gifu-shi, Gifu
1875~1961
Saburo Kamino
Under Kinnosuke Kamino I, he served as the local manager in the successful development of Jinno Shinden in Toyohashi. Founder of Toyohashi Gas and Hamamatsu Gas (now Sala Energy).
- Related Companies:
- SALA Corporation
- Birthplace:
- Kiyosu-shi, Aichi
1875~1971
Yasuzaemon Matsunaga
Known by nicknames such as the “King of Electricity” and “Demon of Electricity,” he worked to popularize and promote electric power in Japan and had a profound influence on industry, politics, and business, including the establishment of the Toho Electric Power Company (now Chubu Electric Power).
- Related Companies:
- Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.
- Birthplace:
- Iki-shi, Nagasaki
1878~1935
Sakura Okamoto
Appointed the first president of Toho Gas. Developed the Okamoto coke oven and was the first to adopt a high-pressure gas supply, earning him the nickname “Dr. Gas.”
- Related Companies:
- Toho Gas Co., Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Kobe-shi, Hyogo
1893~1961
Kinnosuke Kamino II
The first in Japan to apply to endeavor into broadcasting. Involved in numerous projects, including the construction of Japan’s first aggregate radio tower, the Nagoya TV Tower, and the construction of a direct railway line between Toyohashi and Gifu.
- Related Companies:
- Nagoya Railroad Co., Ltd.
NHK Nagoya Broadcasting Center
Nagoya TV Tower Co., Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1893~1948
Hidejiro Naito
At the Imagawa ware store, Naito developed an interest in imported oil stoves, which he took over and began manufacturing petroleum gas stoves. Naito and Hayashi, his childhood friend and colleague at Nagoya Gas (now Toho Gas), then went on to establish their own company, Rinnai & Co.
- Related Companies:
- Rinnai Corporation
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1893~1978
Kanekichi Hayashi
At the Imagawa ware store, Naito developed an interest in imported oil stoves, which he took over and began manufacturing petroleum gas stoves. Naito and Hayashi, his childhood friend and colleague at Nagoya Gas (now Toho Gas), then went on to establish their own company, Rinnai & Co.
- Related Companies:
- Rinnai Corporation
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1908~1992
Shinichi Kobayashi
Carried on the business from his father and spread the use of gas appliances throughout Japan. Paloma, meaning “a white dove,” represents the aspiration to realize a peaceful and prosperous lifestyle.
- Related Companies:
- Paloma Co., Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1837~1876
Jusuke Shigemasa Tomita III
Adopted by the Tomita family from the Kamino family. At the end of the Edo period, just after the opening of Yokohama and Kobe ports, he expanded his business by handling large quantities of imported woolen fabrics, which led to the prosperity of Momijiya.
- Related Companies:
- Toho Technology Corporation
- Birthplace:
- Aisai-shi, Aichi
1870~1950
Eiichi Okuma
The production of a lathe to improve the performance of noodle-making machines led to the company’s entry into the machine tool business. Also kept a sheet of graph paper and a pencil by his bedside, and immersed himself in mechanical design.
- Related Companies:
- Okuma Corporation
- Birthplace:
- Yoshinogari-cho, Saga
1897~1978
Jujiro Goto
With fears of bankruptcy looming, a new strategy of “developing original products” was adopted, and the portable electric planer was developed. This spurred the company’s transformation into a power tool manufacturer.
- Related Companies:
- Makita Corporation
- Birthplace:
- Kuwana-shi, Mie
1904~1990
Masayoshi Yasui
Raised funds with a hydraulic press for producing straw hats and developed a sewing machine for hats. The company then succeeded in domestically producing household sewing machines and exported them.
- Related Companies:
- BROTHER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1908~1991
Jitsuichi Yasui
Raised funds with a hydraulic press for producing straw hats and developed a sewing machine for hats. The company then succeeded in domestically producing household sewing machines and exported them.
- Related Companies:
- BROTHER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1908~2002
Hideo Osawa
Decided to produce domestically made ground taps and founded a company in Tokyo. Later, he was the first in Japan to perfect the unique Osawa screw grinder.
- Related Companies:
- OSG Corporation
- Birthplace:
- Toyohashi-shi, Aichi
1910~2003
Shigetoshi Sakamoto
After learning about water coolers in the US, he developed the first juice vending machine in Japan, creating a huge boom. The company then grew into an original and comprehensive kitchen appliance manufacturer.
- Related Companies:
- HOSHIZAKI CORPORATION
- Birthplace:
- Unnan-shi, Shimane
1921~1999
Akio Morita
Founded Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo together with Masaru Ibuka. Primarily in charge of overall management, he led Sony’s expansion from the electronics into music, movie, and finance businesses, laying the foundation for the Sony Group.
- Related Companies:
- Sony Group Corporation
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1928~2011
Teruyuki Yamazaki
He was quick to set his sights overseas, and in 1962, Mazak became the first Japanese machine tool manufacturer to begin full-scale exports to the United States. Grew the company into a global entity.
- Related Companies:
- Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1930~2007
Takashi Hashiyama
Founded Maspro Giken Kogyo in Moriyama Ward. Began selling antennas right at the time that TV broadcasting began. The company’s world-first color-painted antennas went on sale and were a big hit.
- Related Companies:
- MASPRO DENKOH CORP.
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1948~2018
Makoto Maki
Founder of Melco, a company that designs and manufactures audio amplifiers. It then grew rapidly by manufacturing and selling PC peripherals such as printer buffers and memory.
- Related Companies:
- BUFFALO INC.
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1839~1919
Ichizaemon Morimura VI
Founded a trading company in Tokyo that was a pioneer in private-sector trading, exporting Japanese goods to the United States. Eventually made the decision to produce dinner sets and founded Nippon Toki Gomei Kaisha in Aichi.
- Related Companies:
- NORITAKE CO., LIMITED
- Birthplace:
- Chuo-ku, Tokyo
1846~1903
Sadasuke Taki I
Inherited the silk shop Kinuya and founded a wholesale kimono business in Nagoya. Was also involved in the establishment of the Bank of Nagoya (now MUFG Bank) and Owari Boseki Co., Ltd.
- Related Companies:
- TAKISADA-NAGOYA Co., Ltd.
MUFG Bank, Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Konan-shi, Aichi
1868~1938
Nobushiro Taki
The fifth generation of the Taki family of kimono merchants in Nagoya. In addition to turning a private business into a corporate entity, he was involved in the Gamagori tourism industry and the founding of Taki Academy.
- Related Companies:
- Takihyo Co., Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1875~1955
Kazuchika Okura
As the first president of Nippon Toki Gomei Kaisha, he led the company to success with its dinner set manufacturing, and also led the development of glass and sanitary ware, laying the foundation for the modern ceramics industry.
- Related Companies:
- NORITAKE CO., LIMITED
NGK Insulators, Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Chuo-ku, Tokyo
1886~1963
Tsunejiro Miwa
Expanded overseas sales channels with cotton fabric wholesaler Hattori Kanesaburo Wholesale Store. Took over a company in financial strife and worked to rebuild it without receiving a salary himself.
- Related Companies:
- Kowa Company, Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Konan-shi, Aichi
1890~1980
Chozaburo Ina VI
Founded Ina Seito Co., Ltd. in Tokoname and contributed to the development of Japan’s sink and basin spaces through the manufacture and sale of products such as earthenware pipes, tiles, and sanitary ware.
- Related Companies:
- LIXIL Corporation
- Birthplace:
- Tokoname-shi, Aichi
1900~1962
Hanshichi Toyoshima IV
Contributed to the rise of the textile industry in postwar Japan. Eager to contribute to the local community, he donated a library to Ichinomiya City in his will upon his passing.
- Related Companies:
- Toyoshima & Co., Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Ichinomiya-shi, Aichi
1856~1922
Denbei Kamiya
Founder of Mikahaya Meishuten, which sold unfiltered sake by the glass in Asakusa. He later produced and sold sweet wine well-suited to the Japanese palate, and also developed a winery in Ushiku, Ibaraki Prefecture. The King of Japanese Wine.
- Related Companies:
- Oenon Holdings, Inc.
- Birthplace:
- Nishio-shi, Aichi
1864~1937
Zenpei Morita
Became involved in the beer industry at the behest of his uncle, Matazaemon Nakano IV. After also working in the flour milling business, he founded the Pasco Shikishima Corporation to solve food shortages as the rice riots spread.
- Related Companies:
- Pasco Shikishima Corporation
- Birthplace:
- Tokoname-shi, Aichi
1875~1971
Ichitaro Kanie
His start was with the growing of Western vegetables. Tomatoes did not sell, so he conceived the idea of processing and selling them. He then founded the Aichi Tomato Sauce Manufacturing.
- Related Companies:
- Kagome Co., Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Tokai-shi, Aichi
1879~1951
Chotaro Arakawa
Established the Arakawa Chotaro General Partnership Company. Developed a formula for headache medicine at a time when few were available, selling it under the name Norshin.
- Related Companies:
- Arax Co., Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1879~1959
Masujiro Mizuno
Founder of Mizuno Kankudo, a manufacturer and seller of household medicines. Upon learning that hair dye was popular in Tokyo, he developed and commercialized it, expanding sales not only throughout Japan but also overseas.
- Related Companies:
- Hoyu Co., Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1900~1976
Jinju Funahashi
Founder of Kinjoken, a manufacturer and distributor of bread and Japanese sweets. After World War II, the factory reopened as a bread consignment factory for rationing, and its good reputation led to its products being introduced in elementary schools.
- Related Companies:
- Fuji Baking Co., Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Kitanagoya-shi, Aichi
1905~1988
Genichi Amano
While first engaged in the household medicine distribution business, after the war, he realized that “science is the way of the future” and developed enzymes for pharmaceutical use. This spurred the company’s transformation into a maker of pharmaceutical raw materials.
- Related Companies:
- Amano Enzyme Inc.
- Birthplace:
- Kitanagoya-shi, Aichi
1921~2019
Daisuke Nonogawa
Founder of Dariya and Nippon Menard Cosmetic. Laid a foundation for growth through product development that anticipated the women’s new needs, aggressive use of TV commercials, and door-to-door sales.
- Related Companies:
- Nippon Menard Cosmetic Co., Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Komaki-shi, Aichi
1922~2002
Matazaemon Nakano VII
The seventh generation head of Nakano Sumise Co., Ltd., which deals in brewed vinegar. Made strides to revamp the company’s outdated image by switching to all-bottle packaging, launching a natural food campaign, and expanding overseas.
- Related Companies:
- Mizkan Holdings Co., Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Handa-shi, Aichi
1926~2018
Toshikage Tanida
Founder of Nikka Lemon, inspired by a lemon cocktail that was popular when he ran a standing bar. He also invented Japan’s first canned coffee and the world’s first cold-temperature vending machine.
- Related Companies:
- POKKA SAPPORO Food & Beverage LTD.
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1931~2024
Kyoichi Tanaka
Successfully developed Japan’s first corneal contact lenses. Laid the foundation as a contact lens manufacturer that handles everything in-house, from material and design development to manufacturing and sales.
- Related Companies:
- Menicon Co., Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Ichinomiya-shi, Aichi
1852~1940
Ukichi Oshima
Participated in the liberal civil rights movement in his youth. Uncowed by oppression, he continued making newspapers, launching the Shin-Aichi and becoming its president, making it the region’s leading paper.
- Related Companies:
- The Chunichi Shimbun Co.,Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1876~1959
Shoju Koyama
Joined the staff of the Asahi Shimbun Osaka office. Served as head of the Nagoya Communications Department. Took over the Chukyo Shimpo, changed its name to Nagoya Shimbun, and became its president.
- Related Companies:
- The Chunichi Shimbun Co.,Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1859~1944
Masakichi Suzuki
Self-taught in violin making, became the first Japanese person to successfully mass-produce violins. Winner of numerous international awards, and created a violin that was even praised by Einstein.
- Related Companies:
- Suzuki Violin Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1878~1940
Jirozaemon Suketami Ito XV
Opened Nagoya’s first department store, Ito Gofukuten, in Sakae, and became its first president. Also involved in the management of Ito Bank and in Nagoya’s city development as chair of the Nagoya Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
- Related Companies:
- J. FRONT RETAILING Co., Ltd.
MUFG Bank, Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1896~1976
Kinzo Funahashi
Founded with the development of an “Everlasting Stamp Pad” that does not require the pad to be soaked with ink each time it is used. Later developed and marketed the “X Stamper,” a stamp that can be soaked with ink without the need for a stamp pad, and it was a big hit.
- Related Companies:
- Shachihata Inc.
- Birthplace:
- Toyokawa-shi, Aichi
1902~1986
Takaji Funahashi
Founded with the development of an “Everlasting Stamp Pad” that does not require the pad to be soaked with ink each time it is used. Later developed and marketed the “X Stamper,” a stamp that can be soaked with ink without the need for a stamp pad, and it was a big hit.
- Related Companies:
- Shachihata Inc.
- Birthplace:
- Oguchi-cho, Aichi
1925~2015
Toshio Nishikawa
Began working at Nishikawaya, a company founded by his father. The impacts of the Isewan Typhoon led him to consider chain-store operations. He then diversified the UNY Group’s operations, including the launch of Circle K convenience stores in Japan.
- Related Companies:
- UNY Co.,Ltd.
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1928~2012
Yoshiaki Hibi
Grew Sangetsudo, initially founded by picture frame craftsman Yasuke Hibi as a sliding door material wholesaler, to a seller of wallpaper and interior materials in general, making it a total interior design company.
- Related Companies:
- Sangetsu Corporation
- Birthplace:
- Nagoya-shi, Aichi
1885~1959
Haruko Koshihara
Founder of Nagoya Girls’ School and devoted to private school management and women’s education for more than 40 years. She also worked to improve women’s status as one of the first female members of the House of Representatives in Japan.
- Related Companies:
- KOSHIHARA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
- Birthplace:
- Higashishirakawa Village, Gifu
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