Eldest son of Kunroku Wada, a samurai of the Nakatsu clan. After graduating from Keio Gijuku in 1884, he went to study to the US. After returning to Japan, he joined NYK Line. After working for Mitsui Ginko(Mitsui Bank) and Kanegafuchi Boseki (Kanegafuchi Spinning Company), he became vice-president of Fuji Boseki (Fuji Spinning Co, Ltd.) which was facing financial troubles in 1901 and helped to restore the company. He assumed the presidency of Fuji Gasu Boseki (Fuji Gas Spinning Company) which merged with Tokyo Gasu Boseki (Tokyo Gas Spinning Company) in 1916. He became the leader of the spinning industry along with Sanji Muto of Kanebo. He was also instrumental in the founding of the Nihon Kogyo Club. He was selected as a member of the House of Peers by Imperial command in 1922 and became executive director of the Japan Economic Federation (later Japan Business Federation) the same year.