Background / Biography:
Born in Saitama Prefecture, Japan in 1981, Eriko Yamaguchi graduated from Keio University. After interning at the Inter-American Development Bank, she studied abroad at the BRAC Graduate School of Development Studies in Bangladesh. Two years later, she returned to Japan and founded MOTHERHOUSE Co., Ltd. with the mission of “Showcasing the potential of developing nations”. As of May 2024, MOTHERHOUSE develops and produces bags, jewelry, and apparel at owned factories and partner workshops across six countries, including Bangladesh. The brand owns and operates 43 stores in Japan as well as stores in 2 countries overseas (Singapore and Taiwan).
She has been recognized as "Young Global Leaders" by the World Economic Forum in 2008, "Entrepreneur of the Year" by Harvard Business School Club of Japan in 2012, "NEXT LEADERS" by WWD JAPAN in 2020, and "Entrepreneur of the year Japan" by Ernest & Young in 2022 as well as many other awards.
She has made many media appearances on media outlets such as NHK special (2020),
Newsweek Japan (2021), Forbes Japan (2022), and WWD Japan (2023). She is also the author of several books including “The Naked Life” and “Third Way”.
