OSAKA -- From its humble beginnings almost 30 years ago, Roland Corp. today is one of the world's top electronic musical instrument manufacturers. In fact, nearly any musical performance features the ubiquitous brand name somewhere on stage.
Chairman and founder Ikutaro Kakehashi, who established the company in Osaka in 1972, attributes his success to simply following his interest: using electronic instruments to create new sounds.
While the 71-year-old's pioneering spirit has not ebbed to this day -- he started his first business aged 17 -- he has doubts about present-day entrepreneurs, saying they place too much emphasis on getting their stock listed rather than understanding the ramifications of the move.