Background
Shibata Otokichi was born in 1886, Hyogo Prefecture. His first family name was Hatakeyama.
Shibata Otokichi was born in 1886, Hyogo Prefecture. His first family name was Hatakeyama.
After graduating from the Tokyo Foreign Language School's French Section, he went to France as an overseas business student of the Agriculture and Commerce Ministry. Studied textiles at a French industrial art school and returned to Japan (1912).
Engaged in his family's textile business, added to it a wool fabrics section and began importing Western fabrics. His store became one of the largest of the kind in Kansai.
Became president of the Kobe Franco-Japanese Association, was decorated by the French Government and was appointed a Paraguayan honorary consul.