Ichizo Kobayashi

Businessman. Founder of the Hankyu Toho Group (now the Hankyu Hanshin Toho Group), he introduced new ideas and created a model for private railway management. Born in Yamanashi Prefecture. After graduating from Keio University, he joined Mitsui Bank. In 1907 (Meiji 40), he participated in the establishment of Minoo-Arima Electric Tramway (later Hankyu Electric Express Railway) and became its managing director. He adopted the idea of ​​combining residential development, entertainment facilities, department stores, etc. with railway management, expanded the lines, and developed a rural train into one of the leading railway companies. He became president in 1927 (Showa 2) and chairman in 1934. He developed the Takarazuka girls' singing corps into the Takarazuka Girls' Revue Company and the market of the Hankyu Building into the Hankyu Department Store. In 1932, he established the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater, merged the Nichigeki and Teigeki Theaters to create an entertainment center in Yurakucho, and entered the film business, founding Toho. He was recognized for his efforts in turning around Tokyo Electric Light (the predecessor to Tokyo Electric Power Company), and became its president in 1933. He was appointed Minister of Commerce and Industry in 1940, and Minister of State and President of the War Damage Reconstruction Board in 1945. After World War II, he rebuilt Toho and also established the Koma Theatre in Umeda, Osaka, and Shinjuku, Tokyo.

[Maeda Kazutoshi]

The Complete Works of Kobayashi Ichizo, edited by the Editorial Committee for the Complete Works of Kobayashi Ichizo, 7 volumes (1961-1962, Diamond Inc.)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

実業家。阪急東宝グループ（現、阪急阪神東宝グループ）などの創始者で、新機軸を導入して私鉄経営のモデルをつくった。山梨県出身。慶応義塾卒業後、三井銀行に入る。1907年（明治40）転じて箕面有馬(みのおありま)電気軌道（のち阪急急行電鉄）の創立に参画、専務となる。宅地開発、娯楽施設、百貨店などを電鉄経営に組み合わせるアイデアを採用し、路線を拡大して田舎(いなか)電車を屈指の電鉄会社に育てた。1927年（昭和2）社長、1934年会長に就任。宝塚の少女唱歌隊を宝塚少女歌劇団、阪急ビルのマーケットを阪急百貨店へと発展させる。1932年東京宝塚劇場を設立し、日劇、帝劇を合併して有楽町に娯楽センターをつくり、映画事業にも進出して東宝を創立する。東京電燈(でんとう)（東京電力の前身）の経営立て直しで評価され、1933年社長となる。1940年商工大臣、1945年国務大臣兼戦災復興院総裁に就任。第二次世界大戦後は、東宝の再建を果たし、またコマ劇場を大阪・梅田と東京・新宿に設立した。

［前田和利］

『小林一三全集編集委員会編『小林一三全集』全7巻（1961～1962・ダイヤモンド社）』

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