Yuji Igarashi, former president of Maruha Nichiro Holdings, died of bladder cancer on Jan. 14. He was 79.

 Igarashi was born on Sept. 2, 1945, and became managing director of Maruha in 2000 after serving as managing director of the Industrial Bank of Japan.

In 2000 he became president of Maruha Group, transferring to president of Maruha Nichiro Holdings when the business joined with Nichiro in 2007, described at the time as the "merger of the century."

He later served as chairman of the board, advisor to the director, and advisor, retiring in March 2013.