Eiichi Shibusawa was Japan’s first modern venture capitalist. He financed and started more than 500 new businesses which he would leave when he felt they could operate on their own. As a serial entrepreneur, he championed the modern shareholder and corporate governance. He created the non-zaibutsu corporate model and created a vision for society as helped to create over 600 philanthropic institutes (zaibutsu: large Japanese business conglomerates, often controlled by one central family).

Show notes (with time stamps)

Introduction: 00:00 - 02:36

The Early Years: 02:40 - 06:48

Europe Trip: 06:52 - 10:37

Government Work: 10:41 - 13:22

Gapponshuji: 13:26 - 18:33

Creating Japanese Capitalism: 18:39 - 26:04s

International Diplomacy: 26:08 - 30:11

Family Council Meetings: 30:17 - 32:21

Philanthropy: 32:25 - 38:37

Conclusion: 38:42 - 42:48

Music

Artist: Scott Holmes

Album: Road Trip

Track: Indie Rock

Resources

The Entrepreneur Who Built Modern Japan: Shibusawa Eiichi by Shimada Masahazu

Ethical Capitalism: Shibusawa Eiichi and Business Leadership in Global Perspective by Patrick Fridenson and Kikkawa Takeo

References

Rising in the World: The Roots of the Businessmen Who Built Japanese Capitalism by Kawai Atsushi. Retrieved from https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/b06903/rising-in-the-world-the-roots-of-the-businessmen-who-built-japanese-capitalism.html

Eiichi Shibusawa Was a Man of His Time and Ours by Ken Shibusawa. Retrieved from https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2019/05/01/commentary/japan-commentary/eiichi-shibusawa-man-time/#.XRlqpvZFyhc