Daiso Industries founder Hirotake Yano has died of heart failure at the age of 80, The Japan Times reported.

Yano was born Koro Kurihara but adopted his wife’s last name because it sounded better for a business transaction, the discount chain store told Tokyo Weekender.

Yano initially founded Yano Shoten in 1972 which eventually became Daiso in 1977.

Daiso began its expansion in 1991, coinciding with Japan’s economic slowdown known as the Lost Decade. People back then were looking for cheaper options and this allows Daiso to further grow its business.

Yano’s son Seiji became president of the company in 2018.