Tadahiro Iwagoshi
Profile
Performance in office
Tenure
Tenure
Background
He joined Tokyo Noriai Jidosha in 1931 and moved to Nissan Motor in 1937. He became a Director in November 1952 and, after serving as Executive Vice President, President in November 1973. A career man who took 36 years from joining to become President, he had no capital backing like a founding family. Around the time he took office, the top major shareholders were banks and life insurers, with the Industrial Bank of Japan at 6.94%, Nissan Tochi Tatemono at 5.34% and Fuji Bank at 4.49%.
Selection
In November 1973 he succeeded Katsuji Kawamata as President. Nissan's exports to the U.S. began with passenger cars in May 1958, and by fiscal 1964 had reached 72,000 units, 20% of its production and more than half of Japan's total vehicle exports, putting it at the top of the industry. In the fiscal year ended March 1973, the year before, net sales were ¥1,176.4 billion and ordinary income ¥85.4 billion. He was promoted from Executive Vice President after 20 years on the board since November 1952, an appointment that carried forward the export-driven growth path unchanged.
Initiatives
Over his four years in office net sales grew from ¥1,176.4 billion in the fiscal year ended March 1973 to ¥2,024.6 billion in FY ended March 1977, and ordinary income from ¥85.4 billion to ¥151.8 billion. Domestic production capacity kept growing, and the Kyushu plant was completed in June 1977, the month he stepped down. On labor relations, against the background of cooperation since the great dispute of 1953, Ichiro Shioji, chairman of the Federation of Nissan Motor Workers' Unions, continued to wield influence extending from plant management to productivity improvement and rationalization. The confrontation would peak over the UK expansion under his successor, Takashi Ishihara.
Career
Career
Tokyo Bus
| Date | Position |
|---|---|
| 1931 | Joined |
Nissan Motor
| Date | Position |
|---|---|
| 1937 | Joined |
| Nov 1952 | Director |
| Nov 1973 | President |
| Jun 1977 | Stepped down as President |
| Jun 1977 | Stepped down as President |