Nezu Kaichiro

An entrepreneur known as the "giant of the private railway world" in Japan. Born in Kai Province (Yamanashi Prefecture), he was the second son of a wealthy farmer. At a young age, he aspired to be a politician, serving as a prefectural assembly member and village mayor, but on the advice of a nationally renowned fellow speculator from his hometown, Wakao Ippei, he started stock speculation in Tokyo, targeting "vehicles" and "lights," and became known as "Kaichiro the stock speculator." However, after moving to Tokyo, he was advised by a fellow senior speculator from his hometown, Amemiya Keijiro, to turn to business. In 1905 (Meiji 38), he became president of Tobu Railway, which was struggling with business performance, and as a "bold yet meticulous" entrepreneur, he developed Tobu Railway into one of the largest companies in the private railway industry, and was also involved in the management of many private railways, insurance companies, and food manufacturing companies. In his later years, he also turned his attention to cultural public works, such as founding Musashi High School (the precursor to Musashi University). After his death, the Nezu Museum, which displays the antique art he had collected during his lifetime, was established. The second president, Kaichiro (1913-2002), was his eldest son. His childhood name was Totaro. He served as president of Tobu Railway from 1941 (Showa 16) to 1994 (Heisei 6), and president of Tobu Department Store from 1960 to 1990.

[Toshiyuki Shinomiya]

"Kin'ichiro Toba (ed.), "Businessmen's Views on Education and Academics" (included in "Complete Collection of Businessmen's Thoughts 7", Diamond Inc., 1970)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

日本の「私鉄界の雄」といわれた企業家。甲斐国(かいのくに)（山梨県）出身。豪農の次男に生まれる。若くして政治家を志し、県会議員や村長を務めたが、そのかたわら、全国に名の知れていた同郷の投機家、若尾逸平の助言から、東京での「乗り物」と「明かり」を対象とした株式投機に手を出し、「相場師嘉一郎」とよばれるようになった。しかし東京移住後、同郷の先輩投機家であった雨宮敬次郎(あめみやけいじろう)に忠告されて事業家への転身を目ざした。1905年（明治38）業績不振にあった東武鉄道の社長に就任、「豪胆にして、かつ細心」の企業家として、東武鉄道を私鉄業界屈指の大企業に発展させたほか、多数の私鉄、保険、食品製造企業の経営に関与した。晩年には武蔵(むさし)高等学校（武蔵大学の前身）を設立するなど文化公共事業にも関心を向けた。生前に収集した古美術品をそろえた根津美術館が没後設立された。2代目嘉一郎（1913―2002）は長男。幼名藤太郎。1941年（昭和16）から1994年（平成6）まで東武鉄道社長、1960年から1990年まで東武百貨店社長を務めた。

［四宮俊之］

『鳥羽欽一郎編『財界人の教育観・学問観』（『財界人思想全集7』所収・1970・ダイヤモンド社）』

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