Hiroshi Mikitani is a Japanese businessman, the self-made billionaire Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Rakuten, Inc. (TYO: 4755), a massive global e-commerce and technology conglomerate. Born in Kobe, Japan, in 1965, his family has a strong academic background: his father was Japan's first ever Fulbright scholar and an economist at Yale.

Mikitani graduated from Hitotsubashi University in 1988 with a degree in commerce. He began his career in investment banking at the Industrial Bank of Japan (IBJ) (1988–1996), taking a two-year break to earn an MBA from Harvard Business School (1993). His entrepreneurial pivot was inspired by a desire to help revitalize the national economy in the wake of the 1995 Kobe earthquake.

Hiroshi Mikitani left banking in 1996 and, in February 1997, launched his e-commerce business, MDM Inc. (later renamed Rakuten Inc.). His strategic vision was audacious: create an online shopping mall, Rakuten Ichiba, recognizing the immense potential of online shopping in Japan. The company successfully executed its IPO in 2000.

Under his leadership as Chairman and CEO, Rakuten grew into a global player, acquiring international platforms (like Buy.com in the U.S. and Kobo in Canada) and investing in global giants (like Pinterest and Lyft). He is actively involved in sports ownership, serving as Chairman of the Rakuten Vissel Kobe football club and Chairman of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. His immense wealth is tied to the long-term, stable profitability of the global e-commerce and fintech sectors.

• Rakuten, Inc. (Founder, Chairman & CEO): The core asset, a global leader in e-commerce (Rakuten Ichiba), fintech, and technology (controlling Rakuten Bank and Rakuten Securities).
• Strategic Acquisitions: His success is built on his aggressive acquisition and investment strategy (buying Buy.com, Kobo, Pinterest, and Lyft stakes).
• Academic Background: He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a commerce degree from Hitotsubashi University.
• Sports/Cultural Patronage: He is the owner and Chairman of Rakuten Vissel Kobe football club and Chairman of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Hiroshi Mikitani's social impact is structural, stemming from Rakuten's role in modernizing Japan's retail and financial services sectors through e-commerce and fintech. His founding vision was tied to revitalizing the national economy after the Kobe earthquake.

His structural contribution is also cultural: his support for the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and his ownership of Vissel Kobe contribute significantly to Japanese arts and sports. His personal philanthropy supports various educational and community initiatives globally.

Hiroshi Mikitani maintains the professional, high-energy style of a technology CEO. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects his blend of investment banking discipline and e-commerce innovation.

Residing in Tokyo, Japan, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to technology expansion, global investment, and his passion for sports and cultural patronage.