Otani Kahei

Kahei Otani, born at Kawamata-mura, in linan district, Miye prefecture, was known as the tea king of Japan.

Otani entered the tea export business at Yokohama in 1682 and had from that time forward significantly improved the tea business of Japan. In 1884 he organized the Tea Traders' Guild, which was the pioneer of all guilds in Japan. The headquarters of the guild was in Tokyo, while branches were established in various prefectures. In 1887, Mr. Otani formed the Yokohama Tea Traders' Guild, and was appointed President. He was also president of the Japan Tea Manufacturing Co., established in 1893.

In 1881, when the Seventy-fourth National Bank was in financial straits, Otani Kahei put forth great efforts to adjust its affairs, and was nominated Director of the Bank. In that capacity he once more placed the Bank on a firm basis, and subsequently he was made President. He also held a number of other important offices such as President of the Yokohama Chamber of Commerce and President of the Kanagawa Prefectural Assembly.