Born in Ouaza-Oshiguma, Heijou Town, Ikoma County, Nara Prefecture (present day Oshiguma Town, Nara City), the oldest of three sons to a father who was involved in factory management and foreign trade, he spent his youth in Osaka.
工場経営や外国貿易を手がけていた父の元、3人兄弟の長男として奈良県生駒郡平城村大字押熊（現奈良市押熊町）に生まれ、少年時代は大阪府で過ごした。