Founder Profile
Tadashi Yanai
Last reviewed: October 2026 · By Swet Parvadiya
Who is Tadashi Yanai?
Tadashi Yanai is a founder of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., which was founded in 1963 with Hitoshi Yanai.
- Company founded
- Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.
- Founded
- 1963
- Co-founders
- Hitoshi Yanai
Background
Japanese businessman and son of a tailor.
Founding Story
Tadashi Yanai inherited his father's small men's clothing shop in Ube, Japan. Inspired by visits to Europe and the US, he completely pivoted the business in 1984, opening the first 'Unique Clothing Warehouse' (UNIQLO) in Hiroshima. Recognizing the massive potential in controlling the entire supply chain, he transformed UNIQLO from a cheap suburban retailer into a global behemoth that designs, manufactures, and sells highly technical basic apparel directly to consumers.
Tadashi Yanai was born in 1949. Education: Waseda University.
Yanai was born on February 7, 1949. The Uniqlo name is short for "unique clothing".