Ryōichi Sasakawa

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Ryōichi Sasakawa (May 4, 1899 – July 18, 1995) was a Japanese businessman, far‑right politician, and philanthropist. He became very wealthy through rice speculation and used his money to support Japan’s war effort in the 1930s and early 1940s. He even formed a voluntary flying corps and met Mussolini, whom he admired. He also donated resources to Japan’s military, and dissolved his group when the war intensified.

In politics, Sasakawa led right‑wing groups and joined the political scene in the prewar era. In 1935 he was arrested with others on charges related to blackmail, but he was eventually acquitted after a lengthy process. He won a seat in Japan’s Diet in 1942, becoming one of a few non‑government backed candidates during the war. He spoke out against government limits on free speech, though his efforts had limited success, and he spent much of the war outside the Diet.

After World War II, Sasakawa was held in Sugamo prison as a suspected war criminal for several years. He was released in late 1948 after the war crimes trials concluded for others. Following his release, he built a new fortune through business ventures and by creating a state‑regulated gambling system in Japan—motorboat racing (kyōtei). The profits supported Japan’s postwar reconstruction and welfare projects, and he became the chairman of the Nippon Foundation, which funded charitable work around the world.

Sasakawa and the Nippon Foundation supported a wide range of global initiatives. They worked with the United Nations on maritime law and contributed to the World Health Organization’s efforts to fight leprosy. The foundation also supported international exchange and education programs, including the Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLFF) for university students.

In the 1950s and beyond, Sasakawa helped form the World League for Freedom and Democracy with leaders like Syngman Rhee and Chiang Kai‑shek to oppose communism. He was also involved in various controversial alliances and activities, and he publicly boasted about his wealth and influence. He supported cultural and sports organizations, such as karate bodies, and other charities through the Nippon Foundation and related groups.

Sasakawa died in Tokyo in 1995 at the age of 96. He left behind three sons—Masatada, Takashi, and Yōhei—and a grandson named Hiroyoshi Sasagawa. Over the years he received several honors, including major Japanese and international awards for his philanthropic work, even as his wartime past and controversial activities continued to spark debate.