Eitaro Itoyama

Itoyama
Occupation(s)	Businessman, politician, author
Known for	Wealthiest individuals in Japan, member of the Diet, major shareholder in Japan Airlines

He ranks among the wealthiest individuals in Japan, possessing assets valued at over $500 million. Recognized as both a significant and contentious personality within Japan’s political and commercial spheres, his influence is notable.

Itoyama held a seat in the Diet for four consecutive terms, representing the Liberal Democratic Party for close to twenty years. In 1974, he was implicated in a bribery scandal that resulted in more than 90 arrests, including a high-ranking vice president from his corporation; his approach to election regulations was characterized as "cavalier."

In 1989, Forbes ranked him tenth among the globe’s wealthiest billionaires; however, by 1991, he no longer appeared on the list.

By February 1998, Itoyama had acquired the largest individual shareholding in Japan Airlines (JAL) and pushed for significant managerial and organizational changes. Although he did not hold an official position of power, he was involved in negotiating the sale of JAL’s hotel properties such as Honolulu’s Ihilani Resort & Spa and New York’s JW Marriott Essex House. To resolve potential conflicts, JAL appointed him as Special Adviser to the CEO, a role that required him to withdraw his opposition during shareholder meetings. Following JAL’s failure to distribute dividends over two straight years, Itoyama divested half of his holdings on the public market in 2006.

An accomplished author with best-sellers focused on politics and business, he also leads and financially supports an educational institution named after him.