Biography Yataro Iwasaki (Mitsubishi Founder)





Yataro Iwasaki is a world leader, a Japanese businessman, founder of the giant Mitsubishi, as an investor and business services delivery. He was born into a peasant family in the province of Aki, Tosa Province (now Kochi) on 9 January 1835. The son of a simple farmer, Yataro began his career working on Tosa clan. Klan held in many places in Japan fatherly business interests, stimulate young people ambitious to build a good economy. Yataro Iwasaki died on 7 February 1885 at age 50 from cancer.


Yataro began his career working on the Tosa clan, he went to Tokyo when he was nineteen years old looking for educational aims. Serious injury suffered by his father in a dispute with the village head makes Yataro home from Edo a year later and while on leave from his studies. The local magistrate refused to process the cases of ayahya and Yataro accused judges of corruption. He was sent to prison for seven months. After his release he did not have a job for a while before finding a job as a village schoolteacher.


In Tokyo he was introduced by Yoshida Toyo political activists, influenced by the ideas of the nation's economy through industry and foreign trade. Yoshida get a job as a clerk for the Tosa government. He was promoted to important positions in a trading office in Nagasaki, which is responsible for trading camphor oil and paper to buy ships, weapons, and ammunition.


After the Meiji Restoration in 1868 that forced the dissolution of the shogun of business interests, Iwasaki traveled to Osaka and lease the right to trade in Tosa Tsukumo Trading Company. The Company changed its name to Mitsubishi in 1873. The company uses the name of Mitsubishi in March 1870, when it officially became president Yataro.


Mitsubishi later almost fell while Formosan Incident occurred. Fifty-four Japanese fishermen were killed on the island of Formosa (China) but the Chinese government is not responsible for it. Yataro company initially blamed, but then things got better and even Yataro won the right to operate government vessels such as ships to transport people and goods, then the company began to grow again.


Yataro Iwasaki is a personal allegiance to the government and to the company. Mitsubishi provided the ships that carry Japanese troops to Taiwan, he gets the right to operate the vessel and a large annual subsidy from the government. With government support, he was able to buy a lot of ships and increase Mitsubishi's shipping lanes. Mitsubishi Transportation Company then became a large shipping company, also brought troops to quell the rebellion in Kyushu. Yataro teach his men to "serve the passengers as possible" because they are a source of income. Modern attitude of "customer is always right" is the company's main weapon.


Mitsubishi diversified rapidly, first to obtain additional and expansion of passenger and cargo ship, and provide transportation for Japanese troops to Taiwan and Kyushu. This leads to more government support. Then he invested in mining, ship repair and finance. In 1884 he took a lease of the Nagasaki Shipyard and renamed it Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works, allowing companies to conduct full-scale boat building.


In 1885, Yataro voyage lost control of the company. The company merged with a rival and became Nippon Yusen (NYK Line), who will return to the Mitsubishi companies in later years. Despite the loss of a shipping company, founded Yataro other business (in banking, mining, paper and marine insurance) and which became the foundation for the Mitsubishi organization. His net worth exceeding one million yen. Yataro so confident and sure that he can participate in many businesses. Mitsubishi Kawase-ten, for example, is a financial company is also involved in the warehousing business. It was the predecessor of the company is now called Mitsubishi Bank and Mitsubishi Warehouse & Transportation. Yataro also bought mine coal and copper mines after renting a Nagasaki shipyard from the government. He has participated in setting up an insurance company that is now benama Tokyo Marine and Fire. He even led the school is now the Tokyo University of Mercantile Marine.


Yataro Iwasaki is a very visionary entrepreneur. He often hosted dinner in his company officials. Iwasaki spent a large amount of money for lobbying activities, but also get many benefits. Yataro much to help his friends who then helped also help when experiencing difficulties. He was very astute business relationships that make it prosper in the future. Yataro however, was not destined to lead the Mitsubishi organization in a long time. He died of cancer at the age of 50 years, then her son held the control of Mitsubishi.

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