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Billionaire Profile
Kentaro Ogawa
Global Rank
#1369

Image: 文藝春秋新社 | Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Kentaro Ogawa

CEO, Restaurants
Tokyo, Japan
Real-Time Net Worth
$3.10B
Estimated based on Restaurants stock value as of September 10, 2026
-2.57% (24h)
Age
77
Source
Restaurants
Industry
Food & Beverage
Citizenship
Japan

Biography

Kentaro Ogawa, a 77-year-old Japanese businessman, built his fortune in the restaurant industry. As the founder of Zensho Holdings, he's overseen the growth of a vast network of restaurants, most notably the Sukiya chain known for its affordable beef bowls. His career began with a shipyard job and labor union activism before founding Zensho in 1982. His commitment to providing accessible food has propelled Zensho to become a leading food service company in Japan, contributing to his estimated net worth of $3.79 billion. Ogawa's vision extends beyond profit, aiming to eradicate hunger and poverty.

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Data Updated
May 21, 2026
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Wealth Over Time

Net Worth History

YearNet Worth
2026$3.10B
2025$4.00B
2024$2.40B
2022$1.90B

Portfolio Holdings

Zensho Holdings

Zensho Holdings

7550•food-beverage
$32M
Holdings Value
Ownership
0.31%
Founded 1982

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Kentaro Ogawa's background includes work as a shipyard worker and involvement in labor union activism in Japan. This foundation provided a unique perspective that would later influence his business philosophy.

Rise to Success

Ogawa founded Zensho Holdings in 1982. The company's flagship brand, Sukiya, specializes in gyudon (beef bowl), offering a quick, affordable meal. Ogawa's vision was to make Zensho the world's number one food company, contributing to the eradication of hunger and poverty.

Key Business Strategies

Zensho's success stems from a focus on affordable, high-quality meals and operational efficiency. The company has expanded its restaurant network to over 15,000 restaurants. Zensho has also expanded internationally, with a presence in China, Taiwan, and Brazil. The company went public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2005.

Philanthropy

Kentaro Ogawa and Zensho Holdings have supported various initiatives. In 2014, Ogawa received the “University of Tokyo Shokumon Prize” for contributions to academic exchange programs with universities in Vietnam and China. The Zensho Group has also been involved in community development projects, such as renovating educational facilities.

Career Milestones

1982

Founded Zensho Holdings

Established the company that would become a leading food service provider in Japan.

2005

Zensho Holdings goes public

Zensho Holdings listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, expanding its reach and resources.

2014

Awarded University of Tokyo Shokumon Prize

Recognized for contributions to academic exchange programs.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Education

Zensho-UT Japan Studies Program at VNU-Hanoi

Undisclosed

Supported academic exchange between the University of Tokyo and universities in Vietnam.

Education

Zensho Todai Nanjing Liberal Arts Student Exchange Program

Undisclosed

Supported academic exchange between the University of Tokyo and universities in China.

Business Philosophy & Leadership

Notable Quotes

"Everyone at Zensho truly believes that we can help eradicate hunger and poverty from the world, and in so doing, launch a new era in human history.”"

"Our next step is to become the top food company in the world.”"

Leadership Principles

Commitment to Eradicating Hunger and Poverty

Zensho's mission extends beyond profit, aiming to contribute to a world where everyone has access to food.

Focus on Operational Efficiency

Employing efficient systems, such as the MMD system.

Emphasis on Employee Growth

Creating an environment where employees grow stronger by overcoming challenges.

Billionaires Connected to Kentaro Ogawa

Peers in Food & Beverage

All Food & Beverage billionaires →

Richest in Japan

All billionaires from Japan →

Adjacent Global Ranks

Full global ranking →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kentaro Ogawa's net worth in 2026?
As of 2026, Kentaro Ogawa's estimated net worth is $3.096 billion, ranking #1369 among the world's billionaires. The estimate is based on publicly available shareholding data and market prices, updated daily.
How did Kentaro Ogawa make their money?
Kentaro Ogawa's wealth primarily comes from Restaurants, most notably through Restaurants.
Where is Kentaro Ogawa from?
Kentaro Ogawa is from Japan.
How old is Kentaro Ogawa?
Kentaro Ogawa is 77 years old.

Sources & References

  1. Kentaro Ogawa — Forbes profile — Forbes