2/22 Hirotake Yano, Founder of Daiso Discount Chain, Dies at 80

http://tinyurl.com/28abjov9

What are your thoughts on Hirotake Yano's passing?

I feel a sense of loss upon hearing about Hirotake Yano's passing, even though I didn't know much about him personally. His achievements were remarkable, and his company's services are popular in my country. I hope that the next president who succeeds him will continue to protect his company.

How often do you shop at Daiso?

As for shopping at Daiso, I visit about once a month. Whenever I go there, I always find good products. I believe that we can find all the necessities for living at Daiso, and I'm consistently amazed by their prices.

Who are some of your country's most successful businesspeople?

Regarding successful businesspeople in my country, I believe that the CEO of Yanai is one of the most successful. He established Uniqlo and is still its CEO. I've heard that his net worth is around $40 billion.

Do you know anyone who runs a successful business?

Yes, I know someone who runs a successful business. He is the owner of a publicly traded company in the financial payment sector. When I used to work at my previous company, we had dealings with him as our client. Back then, his company was just starting out, and its atmosphere was rather unassuming. But over the years, it has grown significantly, and the atmosphere has become more sophisticated.

Have you ever thought about starting your own company?

As for starting my own company, yes, I have considered it, and I actually did start my own company. However, when I started it, my ambition was not necessarily for the company to become large; rather, I wanted the freedom that comes with owning a business. Sometimes, though, when I read articles about successful startups, I feel motivated to aim for growth.