Ken Honda

Ken Honda is a money teacher and author, described on his own site as Japan's most recognizable and influential money teacher, affectionately known as the "Zen Millionaire" and the "Happy Panda." He has more than 30 years of experience and has written 120 books, including the internationally best-selling Happy Money (Simon & Schuster, 2019), translated into 15 languages. He has sold nine million copies of his books worldwide, and has more recently reached English-speaking readers with Happy Money and True Wealth.

His financial grounding comes from owning and directing several companies, and his writing joins finance with personal development. At the heart of his teaching is the idea that money is energy, and that it can be happy or unhappy depending on the feeling we bring to receiving and spending it. He encourages gratitude, saying thank you for money that comes in and money that goes out, and giving and receiving with warmth. He also speaks about "money wounds," the hurts around money that many people carry from childhood.

Ken's curiosity began young. At eight he served tea to clients at his father's accounting firm and noticed that some seemed calm and at ease while others were rushed and agitated. At 29 he stepped back from his consulting and accounting business to welcome his newborn daughter. That day in the park, moved by a mother and child, he wrote the essay that grew into Happy Money. Alongside his books, he offers courses, speaking engagements and retreats.