Kyōhei Magoshi

Kyōhei Makoshi (born November 21, 1844, October 12, 1844, in the Japanese calendar, Tenpō 15) – April 20, 1933, Showa 8) – was a Japanese businessman. He was born in Kinoshimo Village, Harima region, Hyogo Prefecture (present-day Ibara City, Okayama Prefecture). His father was Dr. Gensei Makoshi, and his mother was Ko. His stepfather was from the Harima-ya family, and after being adopted into that family, he took the name "Second Harima-ya Jinbei."

In his childhood, Kyōhei Makoshi attended Kōjōkan, where he studied under the guidance of Rō Sanda. At the age of nine, at his father's urging, he began attending Kōjōkan, walking 40 minutes to school each day, and he made recitation a daily routine. In 1915, he attended the 60th anniversary commemorative ceremony of Kōjōkan and gave a lecture.

In 1856 (Ansei 3), he was adopted by the Harima-ya family, and in 1867 (Keiō 3), he became the head of the Harima-ya. In 1860 (Man'en 1), he was formally adopted, and after his stepfather retired in 1867, he inherited the family business of Harima-ya.

In 1872 (Meiji 5), he aspired to move to Tokyo, but was rejected by his stepfather and ended the arranged marriage. Subsequently, with the support of his mother and relatives, he joined the Inoue Kō and associates' early finance company, initially earning 4 yen and 60 sen in salary.

After the dissolution of the early finance company in 1876 (Meiji 9), he returned to his hometown and bought back ancestral land. He then joined Mitsui Bussan (Mitsui & Co.), participated in the founding of the company, and served as managing director and executive director. During the Satsuma Rebellion, he was responsible for procuring food and transporting supplies for the government forces, profiting significantly.

In 1891 (Meiji 24), he was entrusted with the reconstruction of Nippon Beer Brewing, successfully revitalizing the business. By the following year, he had restored it to profitability and achieved successful management. In 1894 (Meiji 27), he was re-elected as director of Nippon Beer, living in Tokyo, Shiba, and Sakuragawa, but within the same year, he lost his mother and older brother.

Furthermore, Kyōhei Makoshi held various roles, including manager of the Mitsui Yokohama Branch and president of the Imperial Commercial Bank. In 1896 (Meiji 29), he became chairman of the Japan Industrial Club. When Nippon Beer Brewing faced financial difficulties in 1892 (Meiji 25), he was involved as an assigned director (executive) dispatched by the Mitsui Zaibatsu as a major shareholder. In 1893, the company changed its name to Nippon Beer Co., Ltd., and by the next year, it achieved the top share in the Japanese market, maintaining the leading share for seven consecutive years from 1896.

Kyōhei Makoshi was also appointed as a Privy Councilor of the Imperial Diet and served one term as a Member of the House of Representatives. He was also known as a tea master under the name Kasei Makoshi.