Yoshizo Shimano is the chairman of Shimano Inc., a leading bicycle components manufacturer and an established brand in fishing tackles. After earning his economics degree from Keio University, Tokyo, Yoshizo briefly worked at an automobile sales company before joining Shimano Industrial Co., Ltd., now Shimano Inc. He established the company's first overseas operation, Shimano American Corporation in New York City in 1965, and in 1972, Shimano set up an European base in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Yoshizo returned to Japan in 1992, and has since served as Executive Vice President and President. He was named to his current position as Chairman of Shimano Inc. in March 2001, and he is also chairman of the Bicycle Association (Japan) since 2000.
Yoshizo lives in Japan with his wife and he continues to enjoy cycling.