Eiichi Shibusawa

Japanese industrialist who modernized Japan's economy by founding over 500 companies and advocating ethical capitalism.

Eiichi Shibusawa (1840–1931) is hailed as the 'father of Japanese capitalism'. After studying Western economics in Europe, he spearheaded Japan's industrial revolution by establishing banks, railways, and textile mills. Unlike profit-driven magnates, Shibusawa emphasized ethical business practices rooted in Confucian morals, blending tradition with modernity.

He co-founded the First National Bank (now Mizuho Financial Group) and championed education, funding Keio University. His 'Rongo to Soroban' (Analects and Abacus) philosophy argued that ethics and economics must coexist—a revolutionary idea in Meiji-era Japan.

Shibusawa's legacy endures in Japan's corporate culture, making him a visionary who redefined economic progress with moral integrity.