October 1 marked the 140th anniversary of the founding of our company, Tokyo Gas. On this commemorative day, I attempted to reflect on the contemporary significance of our founder, Eiichi Shibusawa, drawing upon the insights of French literature scholar Shigeru Kashima.

The turning point that led Shibusawa to become the father of Japanese capitalism was his visit to the Paris Exposition and his subsequent stay in Paris. He was deeply impressed by the modern industries and society he witnessed there and resolved to bring such advancements to Japan. To do so, he studied not only individual businesses but also the mechanisms of modern society and economy. His mentor during this time was Flury-Hérard, who served as Shibusawa's guide in France.

According to Kashima, Hérard was a banker influenced by Saint-Simonism. Saint-Simon advocated that "wealth is created through the circulation and flow of people, goods, money, and information." Upon returning to Japan, Shibusawa put this philosophy into practice by establishing stock exchanges and banks to circulate money, and by developing land and maritime transportation to move people and goods. He also contributed to the flow of information by helping to establish telecommunications, telephone, and postal services. Furthermore, he engaged in a wide range of industries including insurance, spinning, paper manufacturing, and energy.

Saint-Simonism also teaches that "entrepreneurs and engineers who drive industry should lead society." In line with this, Shibusawa gathered the most suitable talent and capital for each enterprise and drove the businesses forward. He would appoint the right person to lead each venture upon its launch and then move on to the next endeavor.

Turning to present-day Japan, there is broad consensus on the growth sectors that should be expanded to recover from the lost three decades. Each company should boldly invest capital—through corporate venture capital (CVC) and other means—in their respective areas of strength, and provide opportunities for young entrepreneurs and engineers to thrive, thereby achieving corporate growth. Moreover, just as Shibusawa devoted himself to education, it is essential to focus on lifelong learning for employees. These efforts lead to "enriching individuals and society, and improving the quality of life and social welfare," as Shibusawa advocated, and may help realize the "virtuous cycle of growth and distribution" that Keidanren aims for.