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Hiroshi Mikitani, a renowned Japanese billionaire and Rakuten, Inc.'s founder, has made significant strides in the e-commerce sector since launching the online marketplace in 1997. Born in Kobe, Mikitani attended Hitotsubashi University and later Harvard Business School. His career transitioned from banking to entrepreneurship, envisioning a unique online exchange. Beyond business, Mikitani's interests span sports, with leadership roles in Vissel Kobe and the Rakuten Golden Eagles. His philanthropic efforts and literary contributions, including several books on success and business, underline his diverse influence.
March 11, 1965 in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
60 years
Online Retail
Fashion & Retail
Japan
Tokyo
Master of Business Administration, Harvard University
Haruko Mikitani (Married: 1993)
2
Hiroshi Mikitani was born on March 11, 1965, in Kobe, Japan. He grew up in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. His father, Ryōichi Mikitani, was a professor at Kobe University and Chairman of the Japan Society of Monetary Economics. His mother, Setsuko, was a graduate of Kobe University and worked for a trading company. Mikitani claims descent from Honda Tadakatsu, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Hiroshi Mikitani: Family
Hiroshi Mikitani is married to Haruko since 1993 and they have two children.
Hiroshi Mikitani: Career Highlights
Mikitani attended Hitotsubashi University, graduating in 1988 with a degree in commerce. He worked at the Industrial Bank of Japan from 1988 to 1996. He attended Harvard Business School from 1991 to 1993. After leaving banking, he started his own consulting group, Crimson Group.
Hiroshi Mikitani: Companies
Mikitani is the founder and CEO of Rakuten, Inc. He is also the President of Crimson Group and the Chairman of the football club Vissel Kobe. Additionally, he is the Chairman of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and a board member of Lyft.
Hiroshi Mikitani: Major Achievements
Mikitani founded the e-commerce company MDM, Inc. in 1997 with three co-founders and $250,000 of their own money. He launched the online marketplace Rakuten Ichiba in Japan on May 1, 1997. The company was renamed Rakuten, Inc. in 1999 and went public on the JASDAQ in 2000. Rakuten has expanded outside Japan with acquisitions of overseas e-commerce sites, including Buy.com (now Rakuten.com), PriceMinister, Kobo (now Rakuten Kobo), Ebates (now Rakuten Rewards), and Viber (now Rakuten Viber). It has business units including travel, e-books, credit cards, online shopping, banking, and the Rakuten Golden Eagles baseball team.
Hiroshi Mikitani: Awards & Achievements
Mikitani has received numerous awards and honors, including the Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award (2012), Chevalier of the National Order of the Legion of Honour (2014), Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (2017), and Spain-Japan Business Contribution Award (2017).
Hiroshi Mikitani: Personal Life & Legacy
Mikitani is a Japanese billionaire business magnate and writer.
He is known for his innovative business strategies and his commitment to globalization. He is also a philanthropist and has donated to various causes, including the Ukrainian government during the Russian invasion.
Hiroshi Mikitani: Trivia
Mikitani implemented "Englishnization" in 2010, making English the primary language of Rakuten within two years. He is also a fan of baseball and owns the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles baseball team.
Hiroshi Mikitani is born in Kobe, Japan.
Hiroshi Mikitani graduates from Hitotsubashi University with a degree in commerce.
Hiroshi Mikitani works at the Industrial Bank of Japan.
Hiroshi Mikitani attends Harvard Business School.
Hiroshi Mikitani purchases Vissel Kobe football club through his company Crimson Group.
Hiroshi Mikitani founds the e-commerce company MDM, Inc. with three co-founders and $250,000 of their own money.
Hiroshi Mikitani launches the online marketplace Rakuten Ichiba in Japan.
Hiroshi Mikitani renames the company Rakuten, Inc. and takes it public on the JASDAQ.
Rakuten, Inc. goes public on the JASDAQ.
Hiroshi Mikitani becomes chairman of Rakuten, Inc.
Hiroshi Mikitani joins Keidanren, the Japanese business federation.
Hiroshi Mikitani puts together an expansion team in Sendai, named the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles play their inaugural season.
Hiroshi Mikitani publishes his book Principles for Success.
Hiroshi Mikitani implements "Englishnization" in Rakuten, making English the primary language of the company within two years.
Hiroshi Mikitani quits Keidanren due to disagreements over its support for continued reliance on the nuclear industry and reluctance to carry out reforms.
Hiroshi Mikitani launches the Japanese Association of New Economy (JANE).
Hiroshi Mikitani receives the Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award.
The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles win the Japan Series.
Hiroshi Mikitani publishes his book Marketplace 3.0: Rewriting the Rules of Borderless Business.
Hiroshi Mikitani is named Chevalier of the National Order of the Legion of Honour.
Hiroshi Mikitani publishes his book The Power to Compete: An Economist and an Entrepreneur on Revitalizing Japan in the Global Economy.
Hiroshi Mikitani is named Officer of the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Hiroshi Mikitani is awarded the Spain-Japan Business Contribution Award.
Hiroshi Mikitani co-founds Kosmos Holding with FC Barcelona player Gerard Piqué.
Hiroshi Mikitani publishes his book Business-Do: The Way to Successful Leadership.
Kosmos Holding acquires the Davis Cup Tennis property and Spanish Futbol Club FC Andorra.
Hiroshi Mikitani donates ¥1 billion ($8.7 million) to the Ukrainian government to support it during the Russian invasion.
What is Hiroshi Mikitani's current net worth?
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In which industry does Hiroshi Mikitani primarily operate?
What is Hiroshi Mikitani educational background?
How old is Hiroshi Mikitani?
How many children does Hiroshi Mikitani have?
Who is Hiroshi Mikitani and what is he known for?
How did Hiroshi Mikitani start Rakuten and what is its business scope?
What was the role of Hiroshi Mikitani in the acquisition and success of sports teams?
What significant reforms has Hiroshi Mikitani made within his company Rakuten?
What contributions to society and culture has Hiroshi Mikitani made outside of his business ventures?