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Dennis M. Ogawa Nippu Jiji Photograph Collection
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ddr-njpa-4-2 (J1.002)

Nippu Jiji Photograph Archive, "Japanese" Collection

Caption on reverse [translation]: "The Man Who Shoulders Our Cotton Industry - Fusajiro Abe. The textiles Industry in the nation faces challenging era. Recent trade talks including Shimura meeting and Japan and Dutch East Indies meetings have been focusing on extremely low and exclusion of our cotton products. Serving as the director of the two textiles industry giants in the nation, Kanebo and Toyobo, Cotton Spinners' Association Chairman Fusajiro Abe is playing a key role as the leader of the industry. Born in 1868 in the Koshu area (Shiga prefecture), he has a former family name Tsuji. Working for a kimono fabric merchant right fter his graduation from elementary school, he spend six years until age 18 to gain trading skills. He went to Tokyo with little saving to attend Azabu Junior High School, former Tokyo Eiwa School, to study business, and moved on to attend Keio University. With a help of family business, Abe Pharmaceutical Company. Recognized as a strong business leader, he served as the senior director for Kanakin Boseki Company. Upon takeover in 1914 by Osaka Boseki Company managed by late Takeo Yamanobe, he continued to serve as a senior director. Merger with Mie Boseki Company created Toyo Boseki Company, where he continued to serve as the senior director of the operation. The textiles industry was at the lowest point before the war. Abe built firm foundation by expanding the overseas trading to India, Arab and Burma, contributing to the success of the industry currently enjoys. Promoted to be the Chief Executive Officer in 1920 and taking over the position of the late Tsunezo Saito 15 years ago, he is still serving as the Chief Officer. He also founded Showa Rayon in 1928, as well as Karafuto Kogyo Company with Heizaburo Okawa. Upon merger by Oji Paper Company, he remained as a director and a representative of the Kansai region. Abe also founded Kosho Company to expand cotton import and cotton product export, and his contribution to both textiles and paper industry of the nation is remarkable. Despite the common notion of Koshu natives as unfair business people, he is well-liked and patient. With his mild manner, confrontation is not an issue for this Koshu man. He has quiet leadership with his ability to make slow and steady progress. He was the first investor to take responsibility, compose recovery program and offer private fund when Omi Bank collapsed with frenzy economy in 1927. Displeased with the result of the Japan India Talk, Abe gave up his seat as the chairperson of Dainihon Cotton Spinners' Association Chairman, and Tsuda from Kanebo assumed the position, indicating strong leadership and trust Abe still demonstrates."

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