Harmony Between Morality and Business: The Philosophy of Shibusawa Eiichi

Shibusawa Eiichi (1840-1931) is regarded as the father of Japanese capitalism. He founded nearly 500 enterprises and economic organizations, most of which operate to this day. Equally dedicated to social and public welfare, he launched 600 philanthropic programs in many areas, including social welfare, education, and international exchange. His basic philosophy in the management of businesses was the harmony between morality and business. In recent years his thought has drawn increasing international attention for its ethical vision of capitalism as an alternative to the untrammeled profit-seeking and capital accumulation characteristic of contemporary market economies. His most famous work, The Analects and the Abacus, has been translated into Chinese nine times. This lecture will offer an overview of Shibusawa Eiichi’s thought, its roots in Confucian ethics, and its implications for 21st-century economic systems.

Atsushi Moriya is a writer and a researcher. He is an expert in ancient Chinese thought and the thought of Shibusawa Eiichi, and has translated Shibusawa Eiichi’s books into modern Japanese. His translation of Shibusawa’s The Analects and the Abacus has sold over 130,000 copies.

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