Japan has made its earliest mark in the automotive industry. It is to no surprise that Japan is one of the top three countries with the most manufactured cars since the 1960s. We can see a lot of cars from Japanese automotive companies on the road. For example, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Subaru, Mazda, and a lot more. They are all from Japan.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the list of 5 founders of motoring brands from Japan that are so well known around the world.
1) Kiichiro Toyoda
The founder of Toyota, Kiichoro Toyoda had plans of developing an automobile company ever since he was working as an assistant in his father’s company, Toyoda Loom Works. After his dad passed away, he established an auto division within Toyoda Loom Works. Two years later, a prototype vehicle was released. As a spinoff of Toyota Loom Works, The Toyota Motor Corporation was formed in 1938 and now, it is the leading automobile company in the world.
2) Soichiro Honda
Soichiro Honda, a Japanese engineer and industrialist started as an apprentice mechanic in Tokyo. After six years, he returned home in 1929 to open a piston rings shop. However, due to a wartime bombing and a terrible earthquake, he had to close down his business.
Later in 1946, he had an idea to use surplus generators from World War II to power bicycles. In 1948, he found his partner, Takeo Fujisawa where they established Honda Motor Co., Ltd together. He oversaw its expansion from a normal wooden shack manufacturing bicycle motors to a world-class automobile and motorcycle manufacturer.
3) Michio Suzuki
Michio Suzuki is a Japanese businessman and inventor. He was known primarily for founding the Suzuki Motor Corporation and several innovations in the design of looms.
4) Jujiro Matsuda
Automobile manufacturer Mazda Motor Corporation was founded by Jujiro Matsuda. He was a Japanese industrialist and businessman. This son of a fisherman formed Toyo Cork Kogyo, a business that makes cork before the company produces its first automobile. Since then, he eventually changes its name to Mazda.
5) Yoshisuke Aikawa
Yoshisuke Aikawa is the first president of the Nissan zaibatsu, one of Japan’s early and powerful businesses that started around the time of World War II. He is also an entrepreneur, businessman, and politician.
Sources: AutoJosh, Did You Know Cars