Who was this person?
A Meiji–Taishō businessman called the "father of Japanese capitalism". Born to a farming family in Musashi, he served the Hitotsubashi house and saw Europe as part of the delegation to the 1867 Paris Exposition. After the Finance Ministry he founded the First National Bank and is said to have been involved in about 500 companies and some 600 social and charitable ventures. He is the face of the new 10,000-yen note issued from 2024.
| Name | Shibusawa Eiichi (渋沢栄一) |
|---|---|
| Born–died | 1840 – 1931 |
| Period | Late Edo–Shōwa |
| Birthplace | Chiaraijima village, Musashi Province (now Fukaya, Saitama) |
| Also known as | Shibusawa Tokutayū, Seien |
| Main achievements |
|
Born into a farming family in Chiaraijima village, Musashi (Fukaya, Saitama), which also made indigo dye and raised silkworms.
He plotted with friends to seize Takasaki Castle in an anti-foreign uprising, but called it off.
He became a retainer of Hitotsubashi Yoshinobu, showing his talent in finance.
Accompanying Tokugawa Akitake to the Paris Exposition, he studied European banks and joint-stock companies.
After setting up a commercial body in Shizuoka, he was invited into the new government and worked on the monetary and tax systems.
Leaving government, he founded the First National Bank, Japan's first bank.
Around this time and throughout his life he helped found about 500 companies in paper, gas, railways, spinning and more, earning the title "father of Japanese capitalism".
He also devoted himself to social causes, such as running the Yōikuin poorhouse.
He retired from business and published The Analects and the Abacus, arguing that ethics and economics go together.
He died in Tokyo.
A. A Meiji–Taishō businessman called the "father of Japanese capitalism". Born to a farming family in Musashi, he served the Hitotsubashi house and saw Europe as part of the delegation to the 1867 Paris Exposition. After the Finance Ministry he founded the First National Bank and is said to have been involved in about 500 companies and some 600 social and charitable ventures. He is the face of the new 10,000-yen note issued from 2024.
A. Period: Late Edo–Shōwa. Born in 1840, died in 1931.
A. Shibusawa Eiichi was born in Chiaraijima village, Musashi Province (now Fukaya, Saitama).
A. Because he spread banking and the joint-stock company in Japan and helped found many firms, hospitals and schools, laying the foundations of the modern economy. In July 2024 he replaced Fukuzawa Yukichi on the new 10,000-yen note.
See also: Wikipedia (ja) / Wikipedia (en) / Wikipedia (fr) / Wikipedia (zh) / Wikidata
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People of the Meiji period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.