Jonas Goro Gadelius
Jonas Goro Gadelius | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 25, 1926 |
| Died | July 31, 2003 (aged 76) |
| Nationality | Swedish |
| Education | Lundsbergs boarding school |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Years active | 1950–1995 |
| Employer | Gadelius K.K. |
| Known for | Chairman of Gadelius K.K. Advocacy of Swedish–Japanese business relations |
| Notable work | Collector of netsuke, donated to World Museum, Liverpool |
| Spouse | Gabita Gadelius |
| Children | 1 (Lorena) |
| Parent(s) | Knut and Gabriella Gadelius |
Jonas Goro Gadelius (25 November 1926 - 31 July 2003[1]) was a Swedish businessman and the chairman of Gadelius K.K., a trading and engineering company based in Japan. He was known for his advocacy of Swedish-Japanese business and industrial relations.
Early life and education
Gadelius was born in 1926 as the youngest of seven children of Knut and Gabriella Gadelius.[2][3] His father Knut founded Gadelius AB in Gothenburg in 1890 and Gadelius K.K. in Tokyo in 1907.[4][5] Gadelius spent his early years in Tokyo before the family moved back to Sweden in 1932.[3]
He completed his secondary education at Lundsbergs boarding school in Sweden and served in the artillery before joining the family business.[3][2][6]
Career
In 1950, Gadelius moved to Japan to work for Gadelius K.K., continuing the family tradition of industrial cooperation with Japan.[3][2] By the mid-1960s, he became President of Gadelius K.K., leading the company during Japan's rapid industrialization.[3][2] During his tenure, Gadelius K.K. shifted from general importing to specialized distribution and local manufacturing, licensing advanced Swedish and Western technologies for the Japanese market in sectors such as energy, pollution control, marine engines, steel, pulp, and paper industries.[5][6]
In 1977, Gadelius became Chairman of the Board of Gadelius K.K.[3] He later stepped down during the structural changes in the Japanese market between 1992 and 1995.[3][2][6]
Gadelius emphasized patience and persistence as keys to succeeding in the Japanese market, highlighting the need for long-term trust and commitment in building partnerships.[5]
Personal life and legacy
He was married to Gabita Gadelius and had one daughter, Lorena.[3]
Beyond commerce, Jonas was an avid collector of Japanese art, amassing a notable collection of netsuke—miniature sculptures traditionally carved from ivory or wood. His collection, featuring works from renowned carvers such as Kagetoshi, Tomotada, Morita Soko, and Masatoshi, was donated to the World Museum in Liverpool, where it remains on display.[7]
Jonas Goro Gadelius died in London on 31 July 2003 at the age of 76.[3][1]
References
- ^ a b "Mr Jonas Goro Gadelius in the England and Wales, Death Index, 1989-2024 - The Wikipedia Library". wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
- ^ a b c d e Ross, William, ed. (2011). Gadelius : the DNA of a successful company : a Swedish-based company; over 100 years in Japan.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Jonas Gadelius: Direktör med rättskänsla", Dagens Nyheter, 18 August 2003.
- ^ Ltd, Gadelius Holding. "History | GADELIUS". www.gadelius.comcompany. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
- ^ a b c Peter McGill, "From Rickshaws to Robots", Journal of Japanese Trade & Industry, No. 1, 1984, Japan Economic Foundation. PDF
- ^ a b c Bass, Britt (1990). Gadelius 1890-1990: en familj och ett företag. Stockholm: Gadelius. ISBN 978-91-7970-871-9.
- ^ "Japan collection". National Museums Liverpool. Retrieved 2025-07-17.