Eishirō Saitō

(November 11, 1911 - April 22, 2002) was a Japanese businessman, the former President of Nippon Steel, the 6th Chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) from 1986 to 1991, President of the Japan Science Foundation from 1988, President of the Japan Sports Fund, and President of the Nagano Olympic Organizing Committee.

Biography Saito was born in Yasuda-machi, Kitakanbara District, Niigata, present day Agano city. and became Honorary Chairman. Saito was survived by two children, a daughter and son. Previous to being chosen as Chairman, Saito was one of 10 Vice Chairmen, Saito also urged the Japanese government to set up a fund to distribute government guaranteed loans for developing nations to "expand the social infrastructure of the world".

During the October 1978 visit of Deng Xiaoping to Japan, Deng visited the Nippon Steel pant near Tokyo. Deng asked if a similar plant could be built in China. Saito, at that time the company president, replied that something better could be built. In 1986, the Japanese government established the Australian National 200 Year Forum, with Saito as Chairman, to support the Australian Bicentenary. With Saito's recommendation, the Japanese government supported half the cost, one billion yen, of building Questacon, the Australian National Science and Technology Centre.

At the 1998 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, Saito was quoted as saying "I sincerely hope that these games from the heart will achieve such splendid heights that they will ... be talked of for generations to come."

Awards Japanese Blue Ribbon Medal of Honor, in 1967 (藍綬褒章) Order of the Sacred Treasure 1st class, Grand Cordon, in 1982 Order of the Rising Sun, 1st class, Grand Cordon, in 1990