Kentaro Ogawa
Profile
Performance in office
Tenure
Tenure
Background
He established Zensho in June 1982 and became Representative Director and President at its founding. From June 2009, as Representative Director, Chairman and President, he held both the chairmanship and the presidency himself. Shareholdings are concentrated on the founder's side: in the fiscal year ended March 2026, the largest shareholder is Nihon Create with 36.16%, far ahead of second-place The Master Trust Bank of Japan at 7.92%.
Selection
He had no predecessor. He became Representative Director and President at the founding in June 1982 and did not leave the post for 43 years. From June 2009 he was Representative Director, Chairman and President, a period of one person holding both titles that lasted 16 years. He stepped down as President in June 2025 to concentrate on being Representative Director and Chairman, and Yohei Ogawa succeeded him.
Initiatives
With the Sukiya beef bowl chain at its core, he pushed diversification into multiple formats, including sushi, family restaurants and retail. Consolidated net sales grew from ¥60.1 billion in the fiscal year ended March 2002 to ¥1,136.7 billion in the FY ended March 2025. Along the way, in the FY ended March 2015, results sank to operating income of ¥2.5 billion and a net loss of ¥11.1 billion, before operating income recovered to ¥12.1 billion in the following FY ended March 2016. Operating income fell again to ¥12.1 billion in the FY ended March 2021, but rose to ¥75.1 billion in the FY ended March 2025.
Career
Career
Zensho
| Date | Position |
|---|---|
| Jun 1982 | Representative Director, President (at founding) |
| Jun 2009 | Representative Director, Chairman and President |
| Jun 2025 | Representative Director, Chairman |
| Jun 2025 | Stepped down as President |
References 2
References (Japanese primary sources)
- ゼンショーホールディングス 有価証券報告書【役員の状況】
- ゼンショーホールディングス 有価証券報告書【沿革】