Founding family behind retail clothing empire Fast Retailing, the Yanai family owns the UNIQLO retail chain. The Yanai family is considered the richest in Japan, with a net worth estimated at over $24 billion. The family owns a controlling stake of their Fast Retailing parent company.
Tadashi Yanai’s father originally founded his family’s retail store as Ogori Shoji in 1949. In 1963, Tadashi transformed his family’s operation and established Ogori Shoji Co., Ltd. Their casual clothing apparel chain, UNIQLO was started in 1984, in Hiroshima City, and the family’s parent company would change its name to Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. in 1993.
Tadashi’s son, Kazumi Yanai, has been a Director at Fast Retailing Co., Ltd since 2018 and also serves as Group Senior Vice President. Kazumi’s brother Koji Yanai has held the position of Group Senior Vice President of Fast Retailing Co. Ltd. since 2016 and has been a Director since 2018.
Tadashi Yanai owns approximately 22 per cent of Fast Retailing, while his two sons hold 4.51 per cent each.
