Yoshisuke Aikawa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yoshisuke Aikawa
|
|
|---|---|
Yoshisuke Aikawa in 1937
|
|
| Born | November 6, 1880 |
| Died | February 13, 1967 (aged 86) Tokyo, Japan
|
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Other names | Gisuke Ayukawa |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Industrialist |
| Known for | Founder of Nissan and Isuzu |
Yoshisuke Aikawa (or Gisuke Ayukawa) (鮎川 義介, Aikawa Yoshisuke, 6 November 1880 – 13 February 1967) was a very important Japanese businessman and politician. He is best known for starting the Nissan zaibatsu (a large family-controlled business group) from 1931 to 1945. Nissan became one of Japan's most powerful business groups around the time of the Second World War.
Contents
Yoshisuke Aikawa's Early Life and Education
Yoshisuke Aikawa was born in 1880 in what is now Yamaguchi city, Japan. His mother was related to Inoue Kaoru, an important leader from the Meiji period. Aikawa studied engineering at Tokyo Imperial University and finished in 1903. After graduating, he started working for Shibaura Seisakusho, which later became Toshiba.
Learning About Metal in America
Even though he didn't earn much money, Aikawa saved enough to travel to the United States. There, he learned about a special way to make strong cast iron. When he came back to Japan, he received help from powerful politicians. In 1909, he started the Tobata Foundry in Kitakyūshū. This company is now known as Hitachi Metals.
Building the Nissan Business Group
In 1928, Aikawa became the head of the Kuhara Mining Company. He took over from his brother-in-law, Fusanosuke Kuhara. Aikawa then created a new company called Nihon Sangyo, which was shortened to Nissan. His brother-in-law, Kuhara, went into politics and made friends with important leaders. Aikawa later used these connections to help his business grow.
How Nissan Became a Giant
After the Manchurian Incident in 1931, the stock market grew quickly. Aikawa used this chance to buy most of the shares in 132 smaller companies. This created a new zaibatsu called the Nissan Group (日産コンツェルン, Nissan Kontserun, "Nissan Concern").
Companies Under the Nissan Group
The Nissan Group included many well-known companies. Some of these were Nissan Motors, Isuzu, NEC Corporation, and Hitachi. It also included companies like Nippon Mining, Nissan Chemicals, and Nissan Marine Insurance. These companies were some of the most advanced in Japan at that time.
Leading Industry in Manchukuo
In 1937, Aikawa's relative, Nobusuke Kishi, invited him to Manchukuo. Manchukuo was a state in Northeast Asia that was controlled by Japan. Aikawa agreed with the Japanese army's plan to develop industries there. He even moved Nissan's main office to Manchukuo. Nissan then became the main part of the Manchurian Industrial Development Company.
Aikawa's Economic Ideas
As the leader of this company, Aikawa guided all industrial efforts in Manchukuo. He put two five-year plans into action during the 1930s. These plans followed the ideas of an army leader named Naoki Hoshino. However, Aikawa believed in a more controlled approach to business, rather than a completely free market. He thought Manchukuo's economy was too new for free market competition. Aikawa also got loans from American steel companies to help Manchukuo's economy. This caused some debate in the United States, which had a policy of not recognizing Manchukuo.
Aikawa's Political Views
Even though his business ideas fit with the Japanese army's plans, his political views were different. Aikawa did not support the Tripartite Pact, which was an agreement between Japan, Germany, and Italy. He thought that the United Kingdom and France would win if a big war started. He also supported the Fugu Plan, which was a project to help Jewish refugees settle in Manchukuo. In 1942, Aikawa left his role at the Manchurian Industrial Development Company and returned to Japan.
Life After World War II
After Japan lost the war, American authorities arrested Aikawa. He was held in Sugamo Prison for 20 months. However, he was released before he went to trial. During this time, the Nissan zaibatsu was broken up.
Helping Japan Rebuild
After his release, Aikawa played a big part in helping Japan rebuild its economy. He bought a bank to help small companies get loans. He also became the president of Teikoku Oil Company and Japan Petroleum Exploration Company. In 1953, he was elected to the House of Councilors, which is part of Japan's government. With help from Nobusuke Kishi, who later became prime minister, Aikawa worked to create economic laws and policies. He led a group called Chuseiren, which became a major group for small and medium-sized companies in the 1960s.
Yoshisuke Aikawa passed away in 1967. He is buried at the Tama Cemetery near Tokyo.
