A memorial service for the late Daiei Inc. founder Isao Nakauchi was held Monday in Tokyo, attended by more than 2,000 people, including many from the retailing industry.

Nakauchi died of a stroke on Sept. 19 at age 83. His funeral was a private ceremony attended by relatives.

Koji Sasaki, chairman of the Japan Chain Stores Association, told attendees he felt as if the nation's retail industry had lost its greatest role model.

Nakauchi, a native of Osaka, began selling medical products in Kobe after World War II.

He later won fame as a discount retailing pioneer, and turned Daiei at one time into the country's biggest retailer in terms of sales.