EOY 2022 Japan: Hoshino Resorts CEO Yoshiharu Hoshino Selected as Japan Representative

On December 8, 2022, EY Japan hosted the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022 Japan (EOY 2022 Japan) awards ceremony at The Tokyo Station Hotel. Following a thorough screening process, Hoshino Resorts CEO Yoshiharu Hoshino was selected as the FY2022 Japan representative. As Japan representative, Hoshino will now attend the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year (WEOY) in Monaco in June 2023 (tentative).

Yoshiharu Hoshino Profile

Yoshiharu Hoshino was born in Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture in 1960. After graduating from the Faculty of Economics at Keio University, Hoshino completed a Master’ program at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration in the US. In 1991 he became president (today’s CEO) of Hoshino Onsen (today’s Hoshino Resorts). In addition to working remotely both in Japan and overseas, Hoshino aims to ski for more than 60 days a year.

Hoshino Resorts

Based on the theme “Making Holidays Fun,” Hoshino Resorts manages 62 different facilities (58 in Japan, 4 overseas) through five main brands: Hoshinoya, which provides impressive, extraordinary experiences; Kai, a series of hot spring ryokan; Risonare, where guests can enjoy up-close experiences with nature; Omo, a series of city hotels; and Beb, which offers easy, relaxing accommodation.

Comment from Kazuhiko Toyama, Chairman of the Selection Committee

This year, too, we had a range of outstanding entrepreneurs working in diverse sectors. Most striking this year was how these businesspeople were confronting the issues facing Japanese and global society through their business activities. In these past few years, impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and technological advancements have driven a shift from the physical space to the digital space. Against this backdrop, the importance of the real world—that is, experiences such as travel and tourism—has once again come to the fore. As such, Hoshino Resorts CEO Yoshiharu Hoshino was selected for his numerous innovations in the travel industry and his continued creation of new customer value. Monaco itself is one of the world’s leading holiday destinations, while it is also at the forefront of environmental initiatives in the tourism industry. In addition to Japan’s unique omotenashi culture, I look forward to Hoshino communicating the new tourism values that prioritize harmony with local regions, the environment, and other stakeholders to the rest of the world from Monaco.

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022 Japan Award Winners

FY2022 Japan Representative

Yoshiharu Hoshino, CEO, Hoshino Resorts

Comment from Award-winner Yoshiharu Hoshino

I’m incredibly grateful to be selected as the Japan representative. I promise to do everything I can to take top spot at WEOY as a representative of those in their 60s. There are two things I have valued to date: The first is the fair distribution of profits with regional tourism workers, and the second is the environment. I believe that both businesses and tourists can be environmentally responsible. Management like this ultimately leads to growth and maximum profits. Looking ahead, I hope to show the world a new, Japan-led direction for a tourism.
 

Exceptional Growth Category Grand Prize

Chikahiro Terada, Representative Director & CEO, Sansan, Inc; Chairperson, Kamiyama
　　　　　　  　  Marugoto College of Design, Engineering and Entrepreneurship

Comment from Award-winner Chikahiro Terada

I’m often asked about the secret to my success, but I don’t believe I’m there yet. Rather, I still think I’m in the midst of the challenge. This award is perhaps in recognition of my efforts to date. Moving forward, I will continue with school development so that students at the Kamiyama Marugoto College of Design, Engineering and Entrepreneurship can one day aim for this award themselves, while at the same time working to build business infrastructure with Sansan.

Regional Vitalization Leader Category Grand Prize　*New for 2022

Masaru Tange, President and CEO, Shift, Inc.

Comment from Award-winner Masaru Tange

One of my current roles is to offer support—both financial support and advice from a management perspective—to outstanding prospective entrepreneurs, mainly from my alma mater Kyoto University. I am very honored to receive this award in recognition of these activities. I will continue to work on this meaningful project while also driving business expansion at Shift.

Extra: About the Award Categories

What We Look for in Entrepreneurs

　・Entrepreneurs who have brought innovative value to society
　・Company founders
　・Entrepreneurs who have brought innovation to the management of generational family-owned businesses
　・Entrepreneurs who have achieved outstanding results through innovational management
　・Foreign entrepreneurs who have started a business in Japan

Master Entrepreneur Of The Year Category

　・Must be a leading industry or market presence
　・Must be a role model for all entrepreneurs
　・Must have expanded business overseas and have a global influence
　・Must have a highly competitive business model, excellent technological capabilities, and outstanding marketing capabilities that are attracting worldwide attention

Exceptional Growth Category

　・Must be garnering attention, or have an established presence, for leading business to success
　・Must be a role model for upcoming entrepreneurs
　・Must have a certain influence overseas and have plans for further expansion
　・Must have generated outstanding results through business development based on innovative technologies and business models
　・Entrepreneurs who have achieved remarkable growth, or who are on a growth trajectory, and for whom further growth is expected

Regional Vitalization Leader Category　*New for 2022

　・Must have a track record of regional achievements and be engaged in various regional contributions
　・Must have created value from the region, or entirely unique value, which is having an influence on Japan and other countries worldwide
　・Must have Japan- and world-leading technological capabilities and business models through the fusion of tradition and innovation, and have achieved sustainable management practices
　・Must have generated long-term value by creating regional employment opportunities and continuing to grow alongside their communities, and in turn helped to develop regional society

Extra: About the Selection Criteria

Following document screening, the Japan representative selection committee conducts selection interviews with candidates before making its final decision. Particular emphasis is placed on the following areas during the selection process.

Pursuit and achievement of long-term value creation

　1.Entrepreneurial spirit
　　　・Must be able to gauge and capture opportunities to make the world better
　　　・Must be taking risks to achieve vision
　　　・Must have courage, fortitude, and resilience to overcome major obstacles and difficulties

　2.Purpose
　　　・The individual and organization must be pouring every effort into achieving their purpose and vision
　　　・Must be promoting a sustainable business strategy for the future
　　　・Must have created and be protecting long-term value for all stakeholders and ecosystems (consumers, employees, suppliers, governments, communities, investors, shareholders, etc.)

　3.Growth
　　　・Must be expanding market share and entering new markets
　　　・Must be achieving excellent results
　　　・Must be investing in the hiring, development, and retention of diverse personnel
　　　・Must be building an organizational culture conducive to pioneering innovations such as new methodologies and technologies

　4.Impact
　　　・Must have a positive influence on the clients they provide services to
　　　・Must be implementing sustainable ESG practices based on a strong commitment and specific strategies
　　　・Must be proactively promoting diversity, equity, and inclusiveness from a diverse perspective

Selection Committee

Committee Chairman

・Kazuhiko Toyama
　Chairman, Industrial Growth Platform, Inc.

Committee Members

・Yoshiaki Ishii
　Director, Startup and New Business Promotion Office, Industry Creation Policy Division, Economic and Industrial Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
・Shigeo Kagami
　Chairman, the Japan Academic Society for Ventures and Entrepreneurs
　Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo
・Takateru Kawano
　President and CEO, TKP Corporation
　Japan Representative, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2017 Japan
・Motokuni Takaoka
　Representative Director, Chairman & President, Airweave, Inc.
　Japan Representative, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2016 Japan
・Yuka Tanimoto
　Executive Director and Editor-in-chief, Forbes Japan
・Yoshiaki Fujimori
　Senior Executive Advisor of Japan, CVC Capital Partners
　Outside Director, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company; Outside Director, Boston Scientific Corporation; Director and Chairman of the Board, Oracle Corporation Japan
・Hiroyuki Watanabe
　CEO, B Dash Ventures Inc.
　Managing Director, Japan Venture Capital Association

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About EY Entrepreneur Of the Year
 
EY Entrepreneur Of the Year differs from other awards in that it supports the activities of developing entrepreneurs and honors the contributions of entrepreneurs who use their foresight, leadership, and achievements to inspire others.
Recognized as the world's first and only global award of its kind, EY Entrepreneur Of the Year is held in more than 145 cities and over 60 countries to honor ever-growing entrepreneurs and ensure the development of dynamic businesses.
This year marks the 22nd anniversary of EY Entrepreneur Of the Year Japan, an award ceremony which has elevated Japanese entrepreneurs to the international stage since 2001. EY Entrepreneur Of the Year Japan strives to nominate role models for entrepreneurship and helps mold the next generation of leading international entrepreneurs. EOY Japan supports entrepreneurs on their journey to expand on a global scale and builds a community for entrepreneurs to connect with their peers.

About EY World Entrepreneur Of the Year

EY World Entrepreneur Of the Year is a program that supports the growth of entrepreneurs all over the globe. Held annually since 2001, the winners of each country’s EY Entrepreneur Of the Year award are invited to the program to join a celebration of their efforts and achievements. This international event bestows the EY World Entrepreneur Of the Year award to the entrepreneur considered to be the “best of the best” of the entrepreneurs selected during the annual global competition.
 

For inquiries concerning EOY Japan, please contact:

EY Entrepreneur of the Year Department

Tel　03 3503 1004

ey.com/ja_jp/entrepreneur-of-the-year-japan
 

Media inquiries

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Tel　03 3503 1037