Ken Shibusawa

A leader in sustainable investment and human capital development, Ken Shibusawa discusses his journey from Japan to Africa, his work shaping global impact initiatives, and how his ancestor Eiichi Shibusawa’s philosophy inspires modern capitalism.

As the founder of Shibusawa and Company, Commons Asset Management, and &Capital, Ken has been at the forefront of purpose-driven investing in Japan and beyond. In this conversation, he offers a deep dive into purposeful investing, cross-border collaboration, and the future of Japan’s economic role in the world.

Ken shares how his family legacy — tracing back to Eiichi Shibusawa, widely regarded as the father of Japanese capitalism — continues to shape his approach to building businesses that balance profit with social purpose. He discusses the evolution of ESG investing in Japan, the importance of long-term thinking in capital markets, and why human capital development is the key to sustainable economic growth.