Wahei Takeda was a successful Japanese businessman and the founder of Takeda Confectionery, which is known for its egg-shaped cookies. He accumulated a fortune of 30 billion Japanese Yen during his lifetime and is often referred to as the "Warren Buffett of Japan." Takeda passed away in 2016 at the age of 83.
Ken Honda, the author of the book "Happy Money," was a follower of Wahei Takeda and had the opportunity to interview him in 2014. During the interview, Takeda revealed a unique aspect of his manufacturing process. He said that when his company manufactured the egg-shaped cookies, they played a song called "arigato" in the background. The word "arigato" means "thank you" in Japanese. Takeda explained that each cookie would have heard "thank you" one million times before it came out of the factory. This practice is an example of Takeda's philosophy of living a contented life and being grateful for what you have.
Takeda's philosophy is based on a concept known as "Maro." Maro is the idea of living a simple and contented life, where one is grateful for what they have and does not constantly seek more. Takeda believed that by living a Maro lifestyle, a person could become a magnet for money and attract more wealth into their life. However, he also believed in giving back to society and using one's wealth to make a positive impact.
In the later part of his life, Takeda coached thousands of people on how to become successful leaders by following the Maro technique. His teachings emphasized the importance of gratitude, contentment, and giving back to society. Takeda's story and philosophy serve as an inspiring example of how living a simple and grateful life can lead to success and fulfillment.