100 Stories2001 The 17th Chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nobuo Yamaguchi

There is a person that former Yomiuri Giants owner and current representative director editor-in-chief of Yomiuri Shimbun, Tsuneo Watanabe, respects as an older brother. That is Nobuo Yamaguchi who served as the chairman.

Yamaguchi served as the secretary of the chairman, Kagayaki Miyazaki, but he was very talented and was eventually said to be his right hand. He has a wide network of eminent contacts that include businessmen, such as the aforementioned Watanabe, and former prime ministers of the cabinet, Yasuhiro Nakasone and Taro Aso.

After gaining Miyazaki’s trust as a secretary, Yamaguchi was appointed head of the Housing Division, which was in deficit, in 1974. Yamaguchi turned this division into the most profit-making division in the entire group. Hebel Haus™ is currently very popular across Japan, but it was in a major deficit at the beginning. Yamaguchi successfully reformed this business and put it on track.

Former Vice-President Yuji Tsuchiya looked back and said the following.

“Yamaguchi’s words still remain in my heart up to this day. Follow through to achieve higher goals with courage and enthusiasm. Having the spirit and faith that you will achieve these goals no matter what gives you the joy of being resourceful. This is one of the memorable things he taught us.”

He transformed Hebel Haus™ into a primary business with his strong leadership and by setting an example and acting on his own initiative toward achieving his goals.

In addition, Yamaguchi’s activities outside the company are also noteworthy. He served as an adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an auditor at the Yomiuri Shimbun group, and a board director at Nippon Television Network. In 2001, Yamaguchi was appointed chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He strived toward promoting small and medium enterprises.

Under the motto “a healthy Japan,” he continued to represent and convey the voices of small and medium enterprises, promoting urban development in suburban cities. This was right in the middle of the structural reform carried out by the nationally-popular Koizumi Cabinet, but Yamaguchi continued to promote the revitalization of the local economy and small and medium enterprises.

“Koizumi posed a great obstacle because he was headstrong and often did not listen to our opinions.” Yamaguchi took a firm stance toward Prime Minister Koizumi—who had public opinion on his side at the time—and urged him to change his direction.

With his exceptional leadership, Yamaguchi was highly influential inside the company and throughout Japan. Employees who knew him at the time say that, up close, he was a warm-hearted and caring person.

Many employees truly appreciated Yamaguchi’s care saying, “He went around all departments on the last working day of the year to thank the employees,” “He was considerate about our families when we accompanied him on overseas missions and visits,” “When shooting profile pictures, he would respond to detailed requests as many times as needed.”

In addition to having the courage to take on big challenges, Yamaguchi was also a very kind person and appealed to many. Moreover, Yamaguchi was the one who represented the business community from Asahi Kasei. His personality and contributions have continued to be remembered even after his passing in 2010.