ABSTRACT
The chapter addresses possible lessons for twenty-first-century Japan by reviewing the leadership and vision of Shibusawa Eiichi (1840–1931), one of the significant figures in modern Japanese history. Shibusawa made extraordinary contributions to Japan’s transformation into a modern country in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, well known as a leading captain of industry and social reformer imbued with a legendary commitment to the public good. There is a remarkable similarity between the national challenges tackled by Shibusawa and those facing Japan today, namely; values, citizenship, business ethics, and the country’s place in world affairs. Analysis of his life and work sheds light on the prospects for a New Meiji Era in Japan today.
