Businessman Hiroyuki

Life begins with formulating and verifying hypotheses

Businessman Hiroyuki

■ Profile
His real name is Nishimura Hiroyuki. He was born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1976. He graduated from Chuo University. In 1999, he founded the anonymous internet bulletin board "2channel" and became its administrator. In 2005, he became a director and administrator at Niwango. The following year, he launched "Nico Nico Douga." After transferring "2channel" to Niwango in 2009, he became the administrator of "4chan," the largest anonymous bulletin board in the English-speaking world, in 2015. In 2024, he founded Made in Japan Co., Ltd. and became its representative director.

　Hiroyuki is a well-known influencer and commentator on Japanese social media and the internet. He is active in many fields, including being involved in the founding of the internet message boards "2channel" and "Nico Nico Douga." We spoke to Hiroyuki about mindset and thoughtful pro wrestling.

　Ever since my student days, I have had a tendency to form hypotheses and try to verify them when thinking about things. I studied abroad in the United States during my university years, and this was also prompted by a hypothesis that my own values ​​were incompatible with those rooted in Japan. Ever since I was a child, I had felt uncomfortable living in Japan, so I thought I would take the plunge and try living somewhere other than Japan.

　By actually going to the US, I realized that I could live there and that it is easier to live abroad than in Japan. I personally find these kinds of different ways of thinking interesting. Not only does it motivate me to take on challenges that are generally considered difficult, but it also helps me increase my own avenues through hypothesis and verification. I believe that the reason I am able to work as an influencer in Japan is because of the wide range of avenues available.

　I founded Made in Japan Co., Ltd. in 2024, and this company is filled with my own hypotheses. I believe there are technologies that are highly regarded overseas but unknown to Japanese people, and I founded this company to spread these technologies.

　For the first project, we teamed up with a textile manufacturer to create clothing that is "flammable and hard to extinguish." This product was also inspired by the hypothesis that "if we use very strong aramid fiber to make clothes, we can make clothes that are much stronger than those made by other manufacturers and that will sell well."

　In fact, I was able to create a unique, high-quality product that sold out completely. This project not only allowed me to verify my own hypothesis, but also gave me new skills in the fields of technology and textiles.

◾️Message to students

　Even if you have worries, I don't think you need to solve them immediately. Everyone faces big obstacles and worries at times in life. However, I believe that worries are generally resolved with time. After a few years, social values ​​and circumstances change, and the worries are resolved without you even realizing it. I know there will be difficult times, but instead of continuing to worry, I hope you will be patient and look forward and move forward.

Student Newspaper April 2025 Edition Waka Watanabe, 4nd year student at International Christian University