Top 10 Richest Men In Japan According To Forbes (2025)

Japan is often celebrated for its sushi, samurai heritage, bullet trains, and, of course, its cutting-edge technology. But beneath the neon lights of Tokyo and the quiet temples of Kyoto lies a powerful economic engine — one that has produced billionaires whose influence extends far beyond Japan’s borders.

From retail fashion empires to high-tech sensors, real estate empires, and global telecommunications giants, the richest men in Japan are a diverse group united by one trait: vision. According to Forbes’ 2025 Billionaires List, here are the Top 10 richest men in Japan, their net worths, industries, and the remarkable journeys that brought them to the top.

1. Tadashi Yanai & Family – $45.1 Billion

Rank: #30 in the world
Age: 76
Industry: Fashion & Retail
Source of Wealth: Fast Retailing (Uniqlo)

Tadashi Yanai, Japan’s retail king, is the founder and president of Fast Retailing, the parent company of Uniqlo, a brand that has become a global fashion staple. His story is one of simplicity done brilliantly — Uniqlo’s appeal lies in affordable, high-quality basics, making it the “Zara of Japan” with a uniquely minimalist twist.

From a single men’s clothing store inherited from his father in Yamaguchi, Yanai transformed his family business into a retail empire that spans over 25 countries. The secret? A laser focus on efficient supply chains, innovative fabrics (like Heattech and AIRism), and a brand identity that appeals to customers from New York to Shanghai.

Yanai’s influence goes beyond fashion — he’s been a vocal advocate for Japanese corporate reform, urging businesses to think globally and embrace innovation.

2. Masayoshi Son – $29.4 Billion

Rank: #60 in the world
Age: 67
Industry: Finance & Investments (Telecom, Technology)
Source of Wealth: SoftBank

If Tadashi Yanai is Japan’s retail mogul, Masayoshi Son is its tech visionary. As the founder and CEO of SoftBank Group, Son has become one of the world’s most influential tech investors, with a portfolio that includes stakes in Alibaba, ARM, and hundreds of startups through the Vision Fund.

Son is known for bold bets — sometimes spectacularly successful, sometimes risky. His $20 million early investment in Alibaba turned into over $60 billion, proving his knack for spotting future tech giants. But his career is also marked by high-profile setbacks, including losses in companies like WeWork.

Yet, Son’s resilience and ability to think decades ahead keep him at the center of the global technology conversation.

3. Takemitsu Takizaki – $19.5 Billion

Rank: #102 in the world
Age: 79
Industry: Manufacturing
Source of Wealth: Keyence Corporation

In the world of high-tech sensors, Takemitsu Takizaki is a quiet giant. As the founder of Keyence, a company specializing in automation sensors, vision systems, barcode readers, and laser markers, he has built a fortune supplying the backbone of modern manufacturing.

What makes Takizaki stand out is Keyence’s unique business model: the company doesn’t manufacture its products directly but outsources production, focusing instead on research, development, and sales. This approach has kept profit margins high and allowed for rapid innovation.

Takizaki is notoriously media-shy, preferring to let his products — used in factories worldwide — speak for themselves.

4. Yasumitsu Shigeta – $6.4 Billion

Rank: #540 in the world
Age: 60
Industry: Telecom
Source of Wealth: Y!mobile, Hikari Tsushin

Yasumitsu Shigeta made his fortune in telecommunications through Hikari Tsushin, a company he founded while still in his twenties. Starting with mobile phone sales, his empire grew into one of Japan’s largest mobile service providers and diversified into office automation equipment and insurance sales.

His story is a lesson in adapting to changing markets. The telecom industry is notoriously competitive, yet Shigeta has consistently found ways to evolve — whether through branding, new services, or strategic partnerships.

5. Takahisa Takahara – $4.7 Billion

Rank: #767 in the world
Age: 63
Industry: Fashion & Retail (Personal Care Goods)
Source of Wealth: Unicharm

When you think of billion-dollar businesses, diapers and sanitary products might not come to mind — but they should. Takahisa Takahara is the CEO of Unicharm, a global leader in baby care, feminine hygiene, and pet care products.

Under Takahara’s leadership, Unicharm expanded aggressively into Asian markets, particularly in Indonesia, India, and China. With a keen understanding of demographic trends and consumer needs, Takahara has built a brand that dominates in markets far beyond Japan.

6. Takao Yasuda – $4.6 Billion

Rank: #789 in the world
Age: 75
Industry: Fashion & Retail
Source of Wealth: Don Quijote Holdings

Takao Yasuda is the founder of Don Quijote (also called “Donki”), Japan’s most famous discount store chain. Known for its maze-like layouts, eclectic product offerings, and quirky penguin mascot, Donki is a shopping experience unlike any other.

Yasuda’s success lies in embracing chaos — stores are designed to feel like treasure hunts, encouraging impulse buys. The chain has expanded beyond Japan, opening outlets in Hawaii, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

7. Hiroshi Mikitani – $4.4 Billion

Rank: #823 in the world
Age: 60
Industry: Fashion & Retail (Online Retail)
Source of Wealth: Rakuten

Hiroshi Mikitani is the founder and CEO of Rakuten, often called “Japan’s Amazon.” Starting as an online marketplace, Rakuten has grown into a diversified internet services company offering e-commerce, banking, credit cards, and even a mobile network.

Mikitani has been an outspoken figure in Japan’s business community, advocating for English as the company’s official language to compete globally. His willingness to innovate — from loyalty points to fintech services — has kept Rakuten competitive in a rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape.

8. Akira Mori & Family – $4.2 Billion

Rank: #868 in the world
Age: 88
Industry: Real Estate
Source of Wealth: Mori Trust

Akira Mori is the head of Mori Trust, one of Japan’s largest real estate developers. His holdings include office buildings, hotels, and resorts across Japan’s prime locations.

The Mori family’s story is deeply tied to Japan’s urban transformation. Akira inherited the business from his father and has continued to expand its footprint, balancing traditional Japanese architectural aesthetics with modern functionality.

9. Masahiro Miki – $4 Billion

Rank: #902 in the world
Age: 69
Industry: Fashion & Retail (Shoes)
Source of Wealth: ABC-Mart

If you’ve ever shopped for sneakers in Japan, you’ve probably been to ABC-Mart. Masahiro Miki turned this shoe retail chain into a powerhouse by offering a mix of domestic and imported brands at competitive prices.

ABC-Mart has grown not only in Japan but also in South Korea and Taiwan, showing Miki’s ability to adapt retail strategies to different Asian markets.

10. Masahiro Noda – $3.6 Billion

Rank: #1015 in the world
Age: 86
Industry: Technology (Software)
Source of Wealth: TechnoPro Holdings

Rounding out the list is Masahiro Noda, founder of software and IT staffing firm TechnoPro Holdings. His company connects tech talent with businesses across industries, capitalizing on Japan’s growing demand for specialized IT services.

At 86, Noda remains a key figure in Japan’s tech industry, showing that innovation and leadership have no age limit.

Final Thoughts

The top 10 richest men in Japan represent a fascinating cross-section of the country’s economy — from centuries-old real estate traditions to cutting-edge technology and global retail brands.

What stands out is their global reach. These billionaires aren’t just national figures; they’re shaping industries and markets far beyond Japan’s shores. Whether it’s Yanai’s Uniqlo changing how the world dresses, Son’s Vision Fund reshaping tech investment, or Mori’s real estate shaping city skylines, these men embody Japan’s blend of tradition, innovation, and global ambition.

Their stories also reflect broader trends in Japan — an aging population, a focus on quality over quantity, and an increasing push for global competitiveness. In short, Japan’s wealthiest men are not just making money; they’re influencing how the country — and, in some cases, the world — does business.