EZAKI Ri-ichi: Early Days to the Founding of Ezaki Glico

In 1882, not long after the curtain rose on a modernizing Japan, Ezaki Glico founder EZAKI Ri-ichi was born in Hasuike-machi, in today’s Saga.

After graduating from elementary school, he assisted his father Seishichi (1845–1901) in his family’s pharmaceutical-related business. During this period, he also worked to develop various businesses. For example, early in the morning he sold salt door to door to households in need of this essential ingredient. Although it was not a big business, he experienced the importance of Creativity, as well as the joy of commerce.
He used his free time to study hard. From a local scholar, NARAMURA Sayokichi (1844–1906), he learned that the key to successful commerce was co-existence and co-prosperity.

This teaching formed the backbone of every business Ri-ichi built going forward, and he never lost his love of learning. In addition, Seishichi taught him to use any money he could spare for the good of society. This influence led to social contribution activities that date to the company’s early days and continue today.
After Seishichi passed away, Ri-ichi took his place as head of the family. He continued to manage the family business, and served as a medic in the Russo-Japanese War. After his discharge, he married and had a son, and went on to demonstrate his talent as an entrepreneur, initially in the business of selling wine.

Between Japan’s World War I-era economic boom and its postwar recession, conditions changed dramatically. But the lessons Ri-ichi learned and the experiences he gained, such as his desire to contribute to society through commerce, and his belief in the importance of nutrition and health, became the driving force behind his activities as an entrepreneur, eventually leading to the founding of Ezaki Glico.