Innovation Knows No Age: The Inspiring Story of Koji Yamada and the Cool Fryer Revolution

In a world where youth is often celebrated as the prime time for innovation and success, the story of Koji Yamada, a Japanese entrepreneur who started his venture in his fifties, challenges conventional wisdom. Yamada’s journey is a testament to the saying, “Life begins at 70.” With a background in the humanities and no formal technical training, Yamada’s perseverance led to the development of a groundbreaking product — a fryer that prevents oil splatters, saving both resources and energy. His success demonstrates that with determination and creativity, it is never too late to embark on a new entrepreneurial path.

The Early Career: From Office Worker to Innovator

Koji Yamada spent more than three decades working at a renowned Japanese electronics company, Victory Electric, which once thrived in the consumer electronics market. Graduating from Waseda University with a degree in literature, Yamada lacked a technical background, but his extensive experience in business allowed him to develop a keen understanding of market trends. He foresaw the challenges that traditional audio and video electronics would face in the digital age and spearheaded internal initiatives within the company, including pioneering an early e-commerce platform…