Did You Know? The Other Giant of Japanese Business
2026-07-19
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
ken.uchikura@pspinc.com
X (Twitter) |
Facebook |
LinkedIn
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Kenichi Uchikura is a Japanese-American entrepreneur and founder of PSPINC. Through this blog, he shares stories and insights about Japanese history, culture, traditions, business, technology, and everyday life. His goal is to help readers better understand Japan, its people, and the values that continue to shape Japanese society today.
ABOUT PSPINC
PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, was founded in 1987 and has been providing internet technology services since 1997. PSPINC offers web hosting, email hosting, software development, IT support, cloud solutions, and digital marketing services. The company operates infrastructure in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and bilingual service.
For Service & Inquiries
Call: 1-800-232-3989 or 425-957-0808
Email: info@pspinc.com
Web: www.pspinc.com
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
Did You Know? The Other Giant of Japanese Business
Most people have heard of Shibusawa Eiichi, whose portrait now appears on Japan's new ¥10,000 banknote. Often called the "Father of Japanese Capitalism," he helped establish hundreds of companies and championed ethical business practices.
But did you know there was another business pioneer who played an equally important role in building modern Japan?
Okura Kihachiro (1837–1928) was born into a farming family in what is now Niigata Prefecture. Starting as a merchant during the final years of the samurai era, he became one of Japan's boldest entrepreneurs. While Shibusawa excelled at creating financial institutions and corporate systems, Okura focused on building businesses. He invested in international trade, construction, mining, manufacturing, transportation, and finance, creating what became the powerful Okura Zaibatsu.
Okura also believed that business success carried a responsibility to support society. He founded the Okura Museum of Art, Japan's first private art museum, and his family later established the famous Hotel Okura, which became a symbol of Japanese hospitality and timeless design.
Modern Japan was not built by one visionary alone. Shibusawa laid the financial and organizational foundation, while Okura transformed ideas into factories, infrastructure, and thriving enterprises. Together, they helped shape the nation we know today.
History often remembers only one famous name, but Japan's remarkable transformation was the work of many extraordinary entrepreneurs. If you know Shibusawa Eiichi, it's worth taking a moment to discover the equally fascinating legacy of Okura Kihachiro.
List of companies trace to him ...
Okura-gumi Shokai (大倉組商会)
Okura Zaibatsu (大倉財閥)
Nippon Doboku Co., Ltd. (日本土木株式会社) → Taisei Corporation (大成建設)
Okura Commercial School (大倉商業学校) → Tokyo University of Economics (東京経済大学)
Okura Museum of Art (大倉集古館)
Hotel Okura (ホテルオークラ) (founded by the Okura family as part of his legacy)
Imperial Hotel (帝国ホテル) (major founding investor/director)
Teikoku Theater (帝国劇場) (founding investor/director)
Tokyo Keizai Magazine (東京経済雑誌) (supporter and sponsor)
Okura Mining operations (大倉鉱山事業)
Okura Trading operations throughout East Asia
Okura Construction enterprises
Okura Manufacturing enterprises
Okura Shipping and Transportation enterprises
Okura Bank and Finance operations (within the Okura Group)
Okura Forestry and Land Development companies
Okura Zaibatsu (大倉財閥)
Nippon Doboku Co., Ltd. (日本土木株式会社) → Taisei Corporation (大成建設)
Okura Commercial School (大倉商業学校) → Tokyo University of Economics (東京経済大学)
Okura Museum of Art (大倉集古館)
Hotel Okura (ホテルオークラ) (founded by the Okura family as part of his legacy)
Imperial Hotel (帝国ホテル) (major founding investor/director)
Teikoku Theater (帝国劇場) (founding investor/director)
Tokyo Keizai Magazine (東京経済雑誌) (supporter and sponsor)
Okura Mining operations (大倉鉱山事業)
Okura Trading operations throughout East Asia
Okura Construction enterprises
Okura Manufacturing enterprises
Okura Shipping and Transportation enterprises
Okura Bank and Finance operations (within the Okura Group)
Okura Forestry and Land Development companies
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
ken.uchikura@pspinc.com
X (Twitter) |
Facebook |
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Kenichi Uchikura is a Japanese-American entrepreneur and founder of PSPINC. Through this blog, he shares stories and insights about Japanese history, culture, traditions, business, technology, and everyday life. His goal is to help readers better understand Japan, its people, and the values that continue to shape Japanese society today.
ABOUT PSPINC
PSPINC (Pacific Software Publishing, Inc.), headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, was founded in 1987 and has been providing internet technology services since 1997. PSPINC offers web hosting, email hosting, software development, IT support, cloud solutions, and digital marketing services. The company operates infrastructure in the United States and Japan and supports businesses worldwide with reliable technology and bilingual service.
For Service & Inquiries
Call: 1-800-232-3989 or 425-957-0808
Email: info@pspinc.com
Web: www.pspinc.com
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..