Iwasaki Yanosuke
Yanosuke Iwasaki | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1851 Kōchi Prefecture, Japan |
| Died | 1908 |
| Occupation(s) | Financier, entrepreneur, investor, political figure |
| Years active | 1885–1898 |
| Known for | 2nd President of Mitsubishi, 4th Governor of the Bank of Japan, member of the House of Peers |
Yanosuke Iwasaki was a prominent Japanese financier, entrepreneur, investor, and political figure. Following the death of his brother, Yataro, in 1885, he assumed the role of president at Mitsubishi, one of Japan's foremost conglomerates (zaibatsu). He also held the position of the 4th Governor of the Bank of Japan (BOJ), received the noble title of Baron in 1900, and was a member of Japan's House of Peers.
Early life
Originating from Kōchi Prefecture, Iwasaki was the sibling of Mitsubishi’s founder, Iwasaki Yatarō. His education included studies at Tokyo Imperial University and further academic pursuits at the University of Pennsylvania.
Career
In 1885, Iwasaki took over as Mitsubishi's second president. Notably, in 1890 he purchased Marunouchi from the government, transforming it into a leading commercial district that currently accommodates headquarters for 20 Fortune Global 500 companies. His leadership concluded in 1894 when Hisaya Iwasaki, Yataro’s successor, became president.
He held the office of Governor of the Bank of Japan from November 11, 1896 until October 20, 1898.
Legacy
Iwasaki’s legacy continued through his family: his eldest son, Koyata Iwasaki, became Mitsubishi’s fourth president, while his younger son, Toshiya Iwasaki, established Asahi Glass, thereby broadening the family's industrial reach.
References
- Weston, Mark. (1999). Giants of Japan: the Lives of Japan's Greatest Men and Women. New York: Kodansha International. ; OCLC 246601936