Get All Access for $5/mo

From Being a Businessman to a Spaceman Here's all you need to know about the Japanese billionaire who has been confirmed as Space X's moon tourist

By Bhavya Kaushal

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Elon Musk Official Twitter
Elon Musk and Yusaku Maezawa

Yusaku Maezawa, chief executive of Japan's largest online fashion mall, Zozotown, has been confirmed as Space X's moon tourist. Maezawa is living the king of kings life, something very evident in the Instagram posts of this business tycoon. Here are some things from the life of the man who is all set to travel to the moon!

18th Richest Man in Japan

Yusaku Maezawa is the 18th richest man in Japan in 2018, 59th richest in Tech in 2017 with a wealth of $2.9 billion according to Forbes. What is interesting to note is that 42-year-old Maezawa is a self-made man who has not inherited his wealth from a lineage of a business family but rather has built it up all by himself.

Yusaka Maezawa Official Twitter
Maezawa's Basquiat painting

A Taste for Art

Yusaku Maezawa has a fascination for art. He founded Contemporary Art Foundation in Tokyo in 2012. He has bought paintings of Picasso and Basquiat for staggering amounts. In 2016, he told the Observer, "Although I didn't begin collecting works of art until about 10 years ago, I've always had a deep interest in art and fashion." Maezawa plans to build an art museum in his hometown.

Yusaka Maezawa Official Instagram

Musical beginnings

Even though Space X's first lunar tourist is a businessman, he actually started his journey as a musician. According to Engadget, Maezawa founded an indie rock band while in high school. He was a drummer with a band named, Switch Style (reported by CGTN). He eventually discovered that his true calling was doing business.

Yusaka Maezawa Official Twitter
Yusaku Maezawa with Elon Musk

A Trip to the Moon

According to Musk, the trip will last for less than 6 days and is tentatively scheduled in 2023. After the announcement on Monday, Maezawa expressed his love for the moon as a kid. "Just staring at the moon fueled my imagination; it's always there and has continued to inspire humanity. That is why I do not pass up this opportunity to see the moon up close." He also plans to bring along up to eight artists on the ride.

Bhavya Kaushal

Former Features Writer

I am a work-in-progress writer and human being. An English graduate from Delhi University, writing is my passion and currently, I was Entrepreneur India's start-up reporter. I love covering start-ups and weaving their stories into unforgettable tales with the power of ink! 
Marketing

5 SEO Hacks to Help You Rank Fast

Discover the best SEO hacks you can use to rank fast and avoid waiting for months to see results.

Leadership

How His Personal Battle With Cancer Inspired This Founder's Solution for Patient Care

On this episode of "The Founder CEO," Michael O'Neil, founder and CEO of GetWellNetwork, discusses his inspiring journey as a leader and the transformative role of AI in healthcare.

Growing a Business

How Visionary Leaders Transform Curiosity Into Groundbreaking Ideas

Lee Brian Schrager, founder of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, discusses the spark that launched FoodieCon, his best practices for running popular food events, and why all business owners need to adapt to social media trends.

Money & Finance

Avoid These 10 Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make with Money

Despite the challenging statistic that only 5% of startups survive beyond five years, common financial pitfalls often contribute to their failure. Through personal observation, I've identified the prevalent financial mistakes made by entrepreneurs.

Data & Recovery

Get $60 off This Portable VPN Travel Router

Why keep paying for a VPN service when you can have a tiny, lightweight piece of hardware that can provide you with a lifetime of maximum VPN protection?

Business News

Homeowners in These 10 States Pay the Most in 'Hidden' Upkeep Costs

Hidden home costs pile on top of mortgage payments.