Yonezo Kobayashi
Profile
Performance in office
Tenure
Tenure
Background
He was the third son of the founder, Ichizo Kobayashi. He graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Kyoto Imperial University, joined Hankyu and, after serving as Director and Senior Managing Director, became President in 1958. He had no specialty of his own in railway engineering or department store retailing, and his standing as a member of the founding family was central to his career. Of Hankyu's presidents, only two came from the founding family: Yonezo and Kohei Kobayashi, who became President in 1986.
Selection
He succeeded Kaoru Wada, President since 1950. In 1958, when he took office, Masashi Shimizu had been President of Hankyu Department Store since February 1947, and in October 1957 Shimizu also became President of Toho. The department store and film businesses the founder had built were entrusted to career managers, while the founding family took the seat of President of the railway parent. Shimizu went on to become Chairman of Hankyu from February 1968.
Initiatives
His tenure saw expansion in both lines and businesses. Kansai Telecasting began TV broadcasting in November 1958, and in February 1959 an additional double track between Osaka-Umeda and Juso opened a triple double-track section. In October 1960 Hankyu Express International took over an air agency business and took on the travel business, and in June 1963 the Kyoto Line was extended from Omiya to Kyoto-Kawaramachi. In April 1968 the Kobe Rapid Transit Railway opened and through-service with Sanyo Electric Railway began.
Career
Career
Hankyu Hanshin Holdings
| Date | Position |
|---|---|
| 1958 | Representative Director, President |
| 1968 | Stepped down as President |