Who Is Jiro Horikoshi? Age, Biography and Wiki
Jiro Horikoshi was born on June 22, 1903, and passed away on January 26, 1982. He is best known as the chief engineer behind several prominent Japanese fighter aircraft during World War II, including the A6M Zero. In 2025, we celebrate his legacy as a pivotal figure in aviation history, whose designs changed the course of aerial warfare. Check out his Wikipedia page for a detailed view of his contributions to engineering and aviation.
| Occupation | Engineers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 22, 1903 |
| Age | 78 Years |
| Birth Place | Fujioka, Gunma Prefecture, Empire of Japan |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | Japan |
| Date of death | 11 January, 1982 |
| Died Place | Tokyo, Japan |
Popularity
Jiro Horikoshi's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific physical statistics for Jiro Horikoshi are not widely documented, his contributions to design and engineering have overshadowed physical attributes. It’s important to acknowledge that Horikoshi’s legacy is characterized by his intellectual prowess rather than his physical stature.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Jiro Horikoshi was married to a woman named Kiyoko, and they had several children together. His family life, although not in the spotlight, played a significant role in his life. As of 2025, there is limited publicly available information regarding the personal relationships beyond his immediate family, reflecting his preference for privacy.
Exhausted and overworked, Horikoshi fell ill with pleurisy on 25 December and remained bedridden through early April. During this time, he recorded in detail the horrors of the increasing American air raids on Tokyo and Nagoya, including the devastating Operation Meetinghouse Tokyo incendiary raid of 9–10 March.
A massive air raid on Nagoya the following night, with B-29s hurling "tens of thousands of incendiary bombs," destroyed most of the largely wooden city.
On 12 March, Horikoshi sent most of his family, including his elderly mother, children and brother-in-law, to his home village near Takasaki to be safe from the bombings, though his wife, Sumako, remained with him in Nagoya.
Net Worth and Salary
As a celebrated engineer, Jiro Horikoshi’s net worth at the time of his death was substantial, though specific figures are not commonly disclosed. His earnings primarily stemmed from his role in military aviation design and subsequent contributions to the aerospace industry. It's estimated that his work over the years provided him a comfortable living, especially with advancements following his early designs that benefitted the post-war aviation industry.
Career, Business and Investments
Jiro Horikoshi’s career is deeply intertwined with his work for the Mitsubishi Aircraft Company, where he made significant advancements in fighter jet technology. His designs, particularly the A6M Zero, became iconic and left a lasting legacy in military aviation. After the war, he shifted focus towards commercial aviation, helping Japan rebuild its aerospace industry and paving the way for future innovations. His investments in education and mentorship for young engineers exemplified his commitment to progress in the field of aviation.
Horikoshi graduated from the newly established Aviation Laboratory (Kōkū Kenkyūjo) within the Engineering Department of the University of Tokyo, and started his career in Mitsubishi Internal Combustion Engine Company Limited, which later became Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagoya Aircraft Manufacturing Plant.
Social Network
While Jiro Horikoshi was not active on modern social media platforms, his legacy continues in various aviation and engineering communities worldwide. Articles and documentaries dedicated to his work on planes like the A6M Zero have been shared widely across platforms like YouTube and aviation forums, showcasing his contributions to both history and engineering.
In 1956, Horikoshi collaborated on a book about the Zero with Okumiya Masatake, a general in the JASDF and a former Imperial Navy commander who had led Zero fighter squadrons during the war. The book was published in the US in 1956 as Zero: The Story of Japan's Air War in the Pacific.
Education
Horikoshi graduated from Tokyo Imperial University, where he studied aeronautical engineering. His education laid the groundwork for his future achievements in aircraft design. He constantly sought to improve his skills and knowledge, remaining deeply engaged in advancing technologies throughout his career.
After the war, Horikoshi participated in the design of the YS-11 with Hidemasa Kimura. He subsequently left Mitsubishi and taught at educational and research institutions.
From 1963 to 1965, he was a lecturer at the University of Tokyo's Institute of Space and Aeronautics, and was subsequently a professor at the National Defense Academy from 1965 to 1969. Between 1972 and 1973, he was a professor of the Faculty of Engineering of Nihon University.
