Ishihara, Takashi

▪ 2004

      Japanese business executive (b. March 3, 1912, Tokyo, Japan—d. Dec. 31, 2003, Tokyo), served as president of the Nissan Motor Co. from 1977 to 1985 and helped turn the company into one of the world's largest automakers. Ishihara joined Nissan after earning a law degree from Tohoku University, Sendai, in 1937. He was named director of accounting in 1945 and director of export operations in 1957. Three years later he led the establishment of a highly successful export subsidiary in the U.S. Ishihara became a managing director of Nissan in 1963 and head of Japanese sales in 1965; in the latter position he championed the development of the Datsun Sunny, a compact one-litre-engine auto that eventually became Nissan's best-selling model. During his tenure as president, Ishihara transformed Nissan into a global power. He built the company's first plants overseas, in the U.S. and Britain—a move that was soon followed by other Japanese automakers. Besides instituting his ambitious business plans, Ishihara also helped raise the company's visibility with his forceful management style and an often brusque and outspoken manner that was in sharp contrast to most of his fellow executives in Japan. Although he stepped down as president in 1985, Ishihara continued to serve as chairman of Nissan until 1992. He also served during his career as chairman of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives and of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association.

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