Hitoshi Yanai
Profile
Performance in office
Tenure
Tenure
Background
In March 1949 he opened a men's clothing store, Men's Shop Ogori Shoji, in Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture, a sole proprietorship he built himself. In May 1963 he incorporated the business as Ogori Shoji Co., Ltd. with capital of ¥6 million, with its head office in Ogushi, Ube. The shares were held by the family, and even in the FY ended August 1994, just after listing, four family members including his eldest son Tadashi Yanai held 54.8%.
Selection
In May 1963 he became Representative Director and President at the same time as the sole proprietorship was incorporated. Fourteen years had passed since the store opened in 1949, and there was no predecessor. In 1972 his eldest son Tadashi Yanai, who had graduated from Waseda University and worked at JUSCO for nine months, returned to Ube and joined the family business.
Initiatives
During his tenure the company remained a men's clothing retailer, and its merchandise was limited to menswear until it opened its first store in Hiroshima Prefecture in June 1984. From the 1980s, workforce cuts at Ube Industries and the spread of cars drew shoppers to the suburbs, and the shopping street in front of the station lost its customers. In September 1984 he handed the presidency to his eldest son Tadashi Yanai. In June of that year the original menswear business had been spun off as OS Hanbai.
Career
Career
Ogori Shoji
| Date | Position |
|---|---|
| Mar 1949 | Founded Menzu Shop Ogori Shoji |
| May 1963 | Representative Director, President |
| Sep 1984 | Stepped down as President |
| Sep 1984 | Stepped down as President |