Takemitsu Takizaki, the founder of electronic sensor-maker Keyence Corp., has overtaken Uniqlo billionaire Tadashi Yanai to become Japan¡¯s richest person.

Takizaki is now worth $38.2 billion (?4.2 trillion), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, after his company¡¯s shares almost doubled since the start of last year. Fast Retailing Co.¡¯s Yanai, who¡¯s lost more than a fifth of his wealth in 2021, has a net worth of $35.6 billion.

With a factory-automation entrepreneur replacing a retail mogul at the top of the country¡¯s rich list, it¡¯s an example of how the wealth landscape is shifting amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Keyence has also been boosted by its forthcoming inclusion in Japan¡¯s blue-chip equity index, the 225-issue Nikkei average.