Japanese entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa is well known for becoming the first commercial traveler scheduled to travel to the Moon. ‘SpaceX,’ an American provider of space transportation services, declared on September 17, 2018, that Yusaku Maezawa would be the first private tourist to travel to the Moon aboard their uniquely created ‘Big Falcon Rocket’ (BFR). One of the most successful businesspeople in Japan, Yusaku is also the proprietor of the well-liked online fashion store, “Zozotown.” With over 199,000 followers on his verified Instagram page, he also has a significant social media following. Additionally, he has a Twitter account with more than 345,000 followers.
Early Childhood & Life
On November 22, 1975, Yusaku Maezawa was born in Kamagaya, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. He attended “Waseda Jitsugyo High School,” where he played in the group “Switch Style.” In 1993, the group even put out an extended play. Yusaku and his girlfriend relocated to America after finishing high school. In the US, Yusaku began accumulating CDs and LPs, which later served as the foundation for his first business. In 1995, he returned to Japan and established his first business, which sold imported CDs and records by well-known performers. The success of the concept of sending out foreign music CDs inspired Yusaku to develop similar business ideas.
Career of Yusaku Maezawa
Yusaku founded a company called “Start Today” with the proceeds from his first venture. His business was founded on May 21st, 1998, and by the year 2000, it had started selling clothing online. ‘Start Today’ introduced its retail clothes website, ‘Zozotown,’ four years later. This website would grow to be one of Japan’s biggest online retailers of fashion. Later, the company introduced brands like “Zozo” and “Zozosuit,” and it developed into a significant online retail brand in Japan. Customers of the custom-fit clothing company “Zozosuit” come from more than 72 different nations. ‘Start Today’s’ current headquarters are in Chiba, Japan.
Love for Art of Yusaku Maezawa
Yusaku Maezawa established the “Contemporary Art Foundation” in 2012 in an effort to aid emerging and modern artists. Yusaku has always loved art and has amassed a substantial collection of pieces from all around the world. He purchased a number of pieces of art by artists like Bruce Nauman, Richard Prince, Alexander Calder, and Jeff Koons at an auction in May 2016. By paying a record price of $57.3 million for an unidentified Jean-Michel Basquiat piece, he generated a lot of buzz at the auction. Over the course of two days, he spent more than $98 million at the event.
In May 2017, he attracted media attention once more when he shattered the record for the most expensive purchase made at an auction by paying a staggering $110.5 million for another piece of art by Jean-Michel Basquiat. Yusaku Maezawa intends to display his exceptional collection of artwork in a museum that he will open in Chiba. Yusaku has chosen to bring a small group of artists on his first trip to the Moon because he loves art so much.
Flying Over Obstacles
Yusaku Maezawa will be the first commercial passenger to travel to the Moon, according to a September 17, 2018 announcement by “SpaceX.” ‘SpaceX’ has been working on the BFR launch vehicle, which is totally reusable, as part of its lunar tourism plan. With Yusaku as its first passenger, the firm is now confident in sending its clients to the Moon. For the flight, which is scheduled to take place in 2023, Yusaku has created a project called “Dear Moon.” As part of the initiative, Yusaku Maezawa will travel to the Moon alongside singers, painters, filmmakers, and fashion designers. Yusaku hopes to encourage artists all throughout the world with the project.
Individual Life of Yusaku Maezawa
In addition to business and the arts, Yusaku Maezawa has a deep love for music. He played the drums in a band when he was a young guy. Even a well-known record label, “Bertelsmann Music Group,” had contracted his band. He did, however, take a vacation from music in 2001 to concentrate on his company. One of the wealthiest business tycoons in Japan, “Forbes” estimated his net worth to be approximately $3.6 billion in May 2017. In addition to having hundreds of followers on Twitter and Instagram, Yusaku is active on social media. Apart from the fact that he is currently divorced and has a child, little is known about his relationships.
Net Worth of Yusaku Maezawa
The estimated net worth of Yusaku Maezawa is around $1 million.