Richest People in Japan 2026: Top 10 Billionaires & Net Worth

As of July 2026, the richest person in Japan is Tadashi Yanai, founder of Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing, with a net worth of $48.5 billion. The top 10 Japanese billionaires have a combined wealth of over $150 billion, led by retail, technology, and manufacturing magnates. This ranking is based on the latest Forbes and Bloomberg data, with estimates for privately held companies. Note that net worth figures fluctuate with stock prices and currency exchange rates; all figures are in US dollars and are as of July 1, 2026, unless otherwise stated.

Who Are the Top 10 Richest People in Japan in 2026?

The top 10 list has seen notable shifts from 2025: Tadashi Yanai remains firmly at number one, while Masayoshi Son moved up to second place following the successful IPO of Arm Holdings. Yasumitsu Shigeta entered the top 10 for the first time, thanks to a surge in Hikari Tsushin's stock. Below is the complete ranking with net worth, industry, and age (as of July 2026).

Note: Net worth figures are estimates based on public filings and market data; actual values may vary. Age as of July 2026.

1. Tadashi Yanai – $48.5 billion (Fast Retailing)

Tadashi Yanai, founder and chairman of Fast Retailing, the parent company of Uniqlo, remains Japan's richest person. His net worth increased by about 12% from 2025, driven by strong sales in Asia, particularly in China and Southeast Asia. Born in 1949 to a tailor father, Yanai opened his first Uniqlo store in Hiroshima in 1984. Today, Fast Retailing operates over 3,600 stores worldwide. Yanai is known for his frugal lifestyle and has pledged to donate his fortune to charitable causes.

2. Masayoshi Son – $35.2 billion (SoftBank Group)

Masayoshi Son, CEO of SoftBank Group, saw his net worth rebound sharply after the successful IPO of Arm Holdings in 2025. SoftBank's Vision Fund has invested heavily in AI startups, including OpenAI and Anthropic. Son, born in 1957, founded SoftBank in 1981 and built it into a global tech investment giant. His fortune remains volatile due to SoftBank's exposure to public markets.

3. Takemitsu Takizaki – $22.8 billion (Keyence)

Takemitsu Takizaki founded Keyence in 1974, a company that dominates the industrial automation sensor market. Keyence's stock has consistently risen due to demand from manufacturing and robotics. Takizaki is famously reclusive, rarely giving interviews. His net worth is based on his majority stake in Keyence, which has a market cap of over $100 billion as of 2026.

4. Masatoshi Ito – $15.1 billion (Seven & i Holdings)

Masatoshi Ito, former chairman of Seven & i Holdings, built his fortune from the Ito-Yokado supermarket chain and the 7-Eleven convenience store franchise. Though retired, his family trust holds a significant stake in the company. Ito, now 96, is one of Japan's oldest billionaires. His net worth has been stable, supported by steady dividends from Seven & i.

5. Shigenobu Nagamori – $12.3 billion (Nidec)

Shigenobu Nagamori founded Nidec in 1973, now the world's leading electric motor manufacturer. The company's motors are used in EVs, robotics, and home appliances. Nagamori has benefited from the global shift toward electrification and automation. He is known for his aggressive acquisition strategy, having bought over 50 companies.

6. Hiroshi Mikitani – $10.8 billion (Rakuten)

Hiroshi Mikitani is the CEO and founder of Rakuten, Japan's largest e-commerce platform. His net worth rose due to growth in Rakuten Mobile, the company's telecom arm, and fintech services. Mikitani also owns the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles baseball team. He studied at Harvard Business School and is an outspoken advocate for entrepreneurship.

7. Yasumitsu Shigeta – $9.5 billion (Hikari Tsushin)

Yasumitsu Shigeta founded Hikari Tsushin, a company that started as a mobile phone distributor and expanded into insurance and tech investments. His net worth surged 40% in 2025 due to successful bets on AI and renewable energy startups. Shigeta is a relative newcomer to the top 10 but has become one of Japan's fastest-growing fortunes.

8. Nobutada Saji – $8.9 billion (Suntory)

Nobutada Saji is chairman of Suntory Holdings, a family-controlled beverage and spirits giant. The company owns brands like Jim Beam, Hibiki, and Yamazaki whiskey. Saji, born in 1947, took over from his father. Suntory has expanded globally, especially in the US and Asia. His net worth is estimated based on the private company's valuation.

9. Akira Mori – $8.2 billion (Mori Trust)

Akira Mori is president of Mori Trust, a real estate developer known for iconic Tokyo properties like Roppongi Hills and Toranomon Hills. His net worth is tied to the value of these prime office towers and hotels. Mori Trust also develops residential and commercial projects across Japan. The company is privately held, so net worth is an estimate.

10. Kenji Yoshida – $7.6 billion (Trend Micro)

Kenji Yoshida co-founded Trend Micro in 1988, a global cybersecurity company. Rising cyber threats have boosted Trend Micro's stock, making Yoshida a billionaire. He is also a philanthropist, having donated millions to educational causes. Yoshida holds a significant stake in the company, which is publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

How Does Japan's Billionaire Wealth Compare Globally?

As of July 2026, Japan has 45 billionaires, ranking 8th in the world by number. The combined net worth of the top 10 is approximately $179 billion. For context, the United States has 775 billionaires, China (including Hong Kong) has over 500, and India has 169. Japan's billionaire wealth is less concentrated than in many peers; the top 10 hold about 60% of total billionaire wealth in Japan. The country's wealth is more evenly distributed across industries, with retail and technology leading.

Which Industries Produce the Most Japanese Billionaires?

Retail is the top industry, with Fast Retailing and Seven & i Holdings contributing two of the top four fortunes. Technology follows closely, with SoftBank, Keyence, and Rakuten. Manufacturing, especially electric motors (Nidec) and automation (Keyence), is also strong. Real estate (Mori Trust) and beverages (Suntory) round out the list. Traditional sectors like banking and heavy industry are underrepresented, reflecting Japan's shift toward consumer and tech-driven wealth.

How Has the 2026 Ranking Changed from Previous Years?

Tadashi Yanai has held the #1 spot since 2020, with his net worth growing from $35 billion in 2020 to $48.5 billion in 2026. Masayoshi Son moved from #3 to #2, overtaking Takemitsu Takizaki, thanks to the Arm IPO. Yasumitsu Shigeta entered the top 10 for the first time, replacing a fallen billionaire from the pharmaceutical sector. Several billionaires saw declines due to market corrections in tech stocks in early 2026, but the overall trend is upward.

What Is the Net Worth Threshold to Be a Billionaire in Japan?

To be in the top 10 richest people in Japan, you need at least $7.6 billion (as of 2026). To be listed as a billionaire overall, the threshold is $1 billion. Japan's billionaire threshold is higher than many Asian countries due to the strength of the yen and the size of its economy. However, currency fluctuations can affect USD-denominated rankings; a weaker yen can reduce net worth in dollar terms.

Methodology

Net worth figures are compiled from public sources including Forbes Real-Time Billionaires, Bloomberg Billionaires Index, and company filings. For privately held companies, estimates are based on industry multiples and comparable public companies. All figures are as of July 1, 2026, and are in US dollars. Stock prices and exchange rates can cause rapid changes. This data should be verified before citing. Last updated: July 2026.

Key Takeaways

• Japan's richest person in 2026 is Tadashi Yanai ($48.5 billion), followed by Masayoshi Son ($35.2 billion).
• The top 10 Japanese billionaires have a combined net worth of ~$179 billion.
• Retail and technology dominate the wealth sources, with manufacturing and real estate also significant.
• Japan has 45 billionaires total, ranking 8th globally.
• Net worth figures are estimates and can change daily; always verify with current sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the richest person in Japan in 2026? Tadashi Yanai, founder of Fast Retailing (Uniqlo), with a net worth of $48.5 billion.

How many billionaires are there in Japan? As of July 2026, Japan has 45 billionaires.

Is Masayoshi Son still a billionaire? Yes, Masayoshi Son is worth $35.2 billion as of July 2026.

What is the main source of wealth for Japanese billionaires? Retail and technology are the primary industries, followed by manufacturing.

How often do these rankings change? Net worths are updated daily by Forbes and Bloomberg; major changes occur with stock price movements or new IPOs.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the richest person in Japan in 2026?

Tadashi Yanai, founder of Fast Retailing (Uniqlo), with a net worth of $48.5 billion.

How many billionaires are there in Japan?

As of July 2026, Japan has 45 billionaires.

Is Masayoshi Son still a billionaire?

Yes, Masayoshi Son is worth $35.2 billion as of July 2026.

What is the main source of wealth for Japanese billionaires?

Retail and technology are the primary industries, followed by manufacturing.

How often do these rankings change?

Net worths are updated daily by Forbes and Bloomberg; major changes occur with stock price movements or new IPOs.