Ryoichi Sasakawa

Ryōichi Sasakawa (笹川良一 Sasakawa Ryōichi) (May 181899 - July 141995) was a Japanese businessman, fascist, organized crime figure, renowned shipbuilder, philanthropist and goodwill ambassador. He is most famous for his ties to the Moonies and his boast of being "the world's richest fascist."

Related Topics:
May 18 - 1899 - July 14 - 1995 - Japanese - Fascist - Organized crime - Shipbuilder - Philanthropist - Goodwill ambassador - Moonies

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During the Sino-Japanese War, Sasakawa rose to prominence by using his wealth to fund paramilitary forces in China, which he used not only to support the Japanese armies, but also for plunder. Using his personal forces and his wealth, he establish a large smuggling operation for drugs and other goods. These operations would lead to his arrest at the end of World War II as a class A war criminal.

Related Topics:
Sino-Japanese War - Paramilitary - Smuggling - Drugs - World War II

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While being held in Sugamo Prison he met Yoshio Kodama, where the two established a long-term friendship. The US intelligence community secured their release in 1948, in exchange for their aid in fighting Communism and promoting stability in the post-war climate. The two became deeply involved in the post-war reconstruction, using their considerable wealth and influence to bolster business and political parties. Aside from legitimate investments, Sasakawa also used his wealth to bribe officials, used his paramilitary forces to break up strikes and other meetings, and built ties to Kodama's Kanto-kai and the nascent modern yakuza.

Related Topics:
Sugamo Prison - Yoshio Kodama - 1948 - Communism - Post-war reconstruction - Bribe - Strikes - Kanto-kai - Yakuza

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Mr. Sasakawa has since made extensive contributions to world peace, especially in the area of disaster relief. As the founder of the United States-Japan Foundation, Sasakawa has been instrumental in many global efforts to promote the betterment of all the world's people. The Nippon Foundation, established by Sasakawa in August 1959 as the Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation, has expanded its mission to include service, including physical and cultural education and social welfare.

Related Topics:
World peace - Disaster relief - United States-Japan Foundation - Nippon Foundation - August - 1959 - Japan Shipbuilding Industry Foundation - Social welfare

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Specifically, the support of the Nippon Foundation has been directed toward solving the world's medical and environmental problems. By cooperating on an ongoing basis with agencies of the United Nations, including the World Health Organization and UNICEF, this foundation has helped to make substantial progress on many worldwide fronts, including famine relief, aid for refugees, support for various educational programs, allocations for pharmaceutical and medical equipment, and international campaigns to eradicate smallpox, leprosy, drug addiction and AIDS.

Related Topics:
Environmental - United Nations - World Health Organization - UNICEF - Famine - Refugee - Pharmaceutical - Smallpox - Leprosy - AIDS

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He has also funded the expansion of Norman Borlaug's Green Revolution to Africa, creating the Sasakawa Africa Association to help stop rising famine in the continent.

Related Topics:
Norman Borlaug - Green Revolution - Africa - Sasakawa Africa Association

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