Yasuda Zenzaburō

Zenzaburo Yasuda was born on November 3, 1870, in what is now Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture. Some records indicate his date of birth as October 10, 1870. His biological father was Tadaichi Imo (formerly Sadataro Imo), a samurai of the Uwajima Domain. Tadaichi Imo had a younger brother, Shin Imo, born in 1877, who later became a businessman.

By the early 1900s, Yasuda graduated from the Law Faculty of Tokyo Imperial University (now the University of Tokyo). In 1892, he joined Yasuda Steel Nail Works. In 1895, he married Teruko, the second daughter of Zenjiro Yasuda, the founder of the Yasuda Group. As a result, he became the adopted heir of Zenjiro Yasuda. The marriage was officiated by Chigezumi Hozenji, acting as the matchmaker.

Yasuda was involved in the management and development of the Yasuda Zaibatsu, serving as an executive officer, auditor, and director in various companies. Specifically, he acted in supervisory roles for Meiji Commercial Bank, Kyoto Bank, Yasuda Trading, Yasuda Bank, and Daisan Bank. He also served as president of Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank and Teikoku Seima, president of Hyakusan Bank, and head of the board of Japan Commercial Bank. Additionally, he was a director and controller of Shinan Bank, a director at Tokyo Marine & Fire Insurance, Tokyo Tatemono (Tokyo Building Co.), and Yokohama Electric Railway. He was a founding member of the Bank of Korea and the Chosen Industrial Bank in Korea. Yasuda was also appointed to the Economic Research Council and served as a member of the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In politics, Yasuda was a prominent taxpayer in Tokyo Prefecture and was elected twice to the House of Peers, serving from March 2, 1914, to September 28, 1925.

Family-wise, Yasuda succeeded Zenjiro Yasuda’s estate and served as president of ten banks within the Yasuda financial network. He was estranged from the Yasuda family in 1919. After the separation, he left the Yasuda family residence in Yotsuya, Tokyo, and moved to Kamakura. After Zenjiro Yasuda’s death, the family headship was inherited by his eldest son, Zenjiro Yasuda II.

Zenjiro Yasuda passed away in 1921. Subsequent details regarding the management and organizational changes are also documented.

In terms of honors, Yasuda received a gold cup decoration on August 24, 1911.

His family included many prominent individuals. His eldest son died young. His second son, Iwajiro Yasuda (born 1901), was a painter. Iwajiro's wife, Kyoko, was the granddaughter of Count Sonosuke TeraJima, born in 1906. The third son was originally an adopted son, Hitosaburo Kataoka (13th generation). Another son, Shuzo Yasuda (born 1906), was a sculptor and effectively served as a second heir. Shuzo’s daughter, Soshiko (born 1934), married Soichiro Asano, the eldest son of Hachiro Asano of the Asano zaibatsu.

Additionally, his fourth daughter, Isoko, married Eijiro Ono, a banker’s son. Eiji Ono is the father of renowned artist Yoko Ono.

Sources such as Rin Naruse and Shūtaro Tsuchiya’s *Great Japan Personages*, Muneshige Nitta’s *History of Great Japan Personages*, the Directory of the House of Peers, and the Annual Report of the Political System Centennial have been referenced for these details.

Based on the provided information, this is an objective account of Zenjiro Yasuda’s life, family, career, and honors.