Fukuzawa Yukichi

Yukichi Fukuzawa was one of the most effective business entrepreneurs in early modern Japan. He was the inspiration of the Yokohama Specie Bank, without which the Japanese could not have set up a sound banking system. He instigated the bookstore chain Maruzen. He was adviser to the newly founded shipbuilding and mining Mitsubishi and helped drag the old established House of Mitsui into the modern age. It is no surprise that Fukuzawa is featured on the Japanese 10000 bank note.

NORIO TAMAKI is Professor of Japan’s Economic, Social and Banking History at Keio University.