Background
Hibiya was born in 1848, in San jo, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.
日比谷平左衞門
Hibiya was born in 1848, in San jo, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.
Going to Tokyo when 12 years old, he worked as an apprentice at Matsumoto- ya, a raw cotton dealer's. Promoted to manager of the establishment. Started his own cotton business (1878). Founded the Tokyo Gas Spinning Company, foreseeing prosperity for the spinning industry. Merged his firm with the declining Fuji Spinning Company. Was a director of the Kanegafuchi and Nisshin Spinning Companies and the Tokyo Woolen Textile Company. Was known as a spining magnate.
He was the third son of an Oshiraa family and adopted by the Hibiya family.