M asateru Uno is the founder and chairman of Cosmos Pharmaceutical, a highly successful discount drugstore chain based in Fukuoka, Japan. He established the company in 1983 and pioneered a business model focused on large-format stores in suburban and rural locations, offering a wide range of products from pharmaceuticals and cosmetics to food and daily necessities at competitive prices. This strategy allowed Cosmos to dominate markets in Kyushu and expand rapidly across western Japan.

Uno's approach of owning the land for his stores to reduce costs and maintain high profitability has been a key driver of the company's success. Cosmos Pharmaceutical is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and operates over 1,500 stores. Masateru Uno shares his fortune with his family, and his son, Yukitaka Uno, is actively involved in the business as a director, ensuring the continuity of the family's leadership in the Japanese retail sector.