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Shibusawa Eiichi, Meiji-era industrialist
A businessman of the Meiji and Taishō periods who helped found around 500 companies, including Japan's first modern bank, and hundreds of schools and charities. He is called the father of Japanese capitalism, and his portrait has been on the 10,000-yen note since 2024.
He replaced 福沢諭吉 on the 10,000-yen note in 2024, which made his name newly familiar to everyone who handles cash.
Common expressions
- 論語と算盤: "The Analects and the Abacus" — his book and motto that ethics and profit must go together
- 日本資本主義の父: the father of Japanese capitalism
- 第一国立銀行: the first modern bank, which he founded in 1873
Cultural note
His life was the subject of the 2021 NHK 大河ドラマ, which brought him wide popular attention shortly before the new banknotes appeared.