Minijima, Kiyo (1833–1919)

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Minijima, Kiyo (1833–1919)

Japanese businesswoman and philanthropist. Name variations: Mrs. Kiyo Minijima. Born in 1833; died in 1919.

In 1897, Kiyo Minijima's husband died; he had bequeathed her his savings, which she invested in real estate until she owned 570 acres in Tokyo, where values increased rapidly. With her business sagacity, she became the wealthiest woman in Japan. She founded in succession a bank, a trust company, and a real estate company, and conducted them all with a firm hand. Minijima was rigidly honest in all her dealings; her word was her bond. In November 1918, she donated $250,000 to the city of Tokyo to assist the cause of education.

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