The Bio of Hiroshi Mikitani.

Overview

Hiroshi Mikitani is a Japanese billionaire entrepreneur and the founder of Rakuten, one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. He is known for his visionary leadership and innovation, and has been instrumental in shaping the e-commerce landscape in Japan and beyond. With a net worth of $10.4 billion, Mikitani is one of the richest people in Japan and is among the top 100 billionaires in the world.

Early Life and Education

Hiroshi Mikitani was born on March 11, 1965, in Kobe, Japan. He grew up in a family that valued education and entrepreneurship, as his father was the founder of a successful travel agency. Mikitani attended Hitotsubashi University, where he studied economics and political science, and later obtained an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Career and Achievements

After completing his studies, Mikitani worked at various companies, including the Industrial Bank of Japan and the BC International Corporation. In 1997, he founded Rakuten, which started as an online marketplace for Japanese consumers to purchase books, but has since grown to become a diversified e-commerce company with over 70 businesses, including Rakuten Viber, Rakuten Kobo, and Ebates.

Under Mikitani’s leadership, Rakuten has expanded globally, with operations in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. He has also been a vocal advocate for the development of a Japanese start-up ecosystem and has invested in numerous tech startups through his investment fund, Rakuten Ventures. In addition to his business ventures, Mikitani serves as a member of the International Olympic Committee and is a strong proponent of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Personal Life

Hiroshi Mikitani is married and has two children. He is known for his unconventional leadership style, which emphasizes transparency, collaboration, and innovation. He is also a philanthropist, and has made significant donations to various causes, including disaster relief efforts in Japan and COVID-19 relief efforts around the world.

Profile