Forbes Names Three Pachinko Tycoons Among Japan’s 50 Richest In 2025

^{Pictured: Hideyuki Busujima, Hajime Satomi, and Han Chang-Woo}

Forbes has released its “Japan’s 50 Richest 2025” list, featuring three major figures from Japan’s pachinko industry — an arcade-style game combining elements of pinball and gambling.

Ranked at No. 11 is Hideyuki Busujima and family, with an estimated net worth of $4.6 billion. 

He is the son of Kunio Busujima, the late founder of pachinko machine manufacturer Sankyo, who passed away in October 2016. Hideyuki became chairman and CEO of the company in 2008, later stepping down as CEO in 2022 while remaining chairman.

Coming in at No. 41 is Hajime Satomi, chairman of Sega Sammy, with a net worth of $1.48 billion. Satomi founded pachinko machine maker Sammy, which merged with video game giant Sega in 2004. The company also owns a 45% stake in Paradise City, a South Korean casino and entertainment resort.

At No. 47 is Han Chang-woo, the Japanese-Korean founder and chairman of Maruhan, Japan’s largest pachinko hall operator. His net worth stands at $1.24 billion. Beyond pachinko, Maruhan’s business portfolio includes movie theaters, golf clubs, and bowling alleys.

 The top spot on the list belongs to Tadashi Yanai, founder of global apparel giant Fast Retailing (parent company of Uniqlo), whose fortune totals $48.2 billion as of June 2025.

Busujima and Satomi were also featured earlier this year in Forbes’ global billionaire rankings.