Profile of KAZUO INAMORI
He graduated from Kagoshima University in 1955 with a Bachelor of Engineering degree and soon joined Shofu Industries, an insulator manufacturing company in Kyoto. In April 1959, he established Kyoto Ceramic Co., Ltd. (now Kyocera Corporation) with a 3-million yen investment received from acquaintances. He served as president and chairman of the company until 1997, when he assumed the title of founder and chairman emeritus.
When Japan’s telecommunications industry was deregulated in 1984, Dr.Inamori quickly took the initiative to establish DDI Corporation and became its chairman. In October 2000, DDI merged with KDD and IDO to create KDDI Corporation. Dr.Inamori served as KDDI’s chairman emeritus and was named honorary adviser in June 2001.
Inamori became chairman of Japan Airlines (JAL, now Japan Airlines Co., Ltd) in February 2010 in order to rebuild the company’s operations following bankruptcy. After serving as representative director and chairman of the company, he became chairman emeritus in April 2013 and was appointed an honorary adviser in April 2015.
In 1984, Dr.Inamori made a personal endowment to establish the non-profit Inamori Foundation and became its president. At the same time, he created the Kyoto Prize, an international award presented by the Inamori Foundation each November to recognize individuals and groups worldwide who have made outstanding contributions to the betterment of the global community and humankind.
His volunteer service includes leading Seiwajyuku, a private management school operating in 90 locations, 34 of which are outside Japan. As president of Seiwajyuku, Dr.Inamori teaches his management philosophy to more than 10,500 business owners and entrepreneurs worldwide (as of October 2016).
He also holds several positions and membership with various non-profit organizations, including honorary chairman of the Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry; foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences; trustee emeritus of the Carnegie Institution of Washington D.C.; and foreign associate of the National Academy of Engineering in the United States.
What is SEIWAJYUKU?
Original Seiwajuku started in 1983 as a voluntary study group consists of young entrepreneurs in Kyoto who shared the same passion to learn the philosophies of life and business management from Dr. Kazuo Inamori, founder and chairman emeritus of Kyocera Corporation. Seiwajuku is described as a “dojo (training hall)” of life where the ardent members and Dr. Inamori engage in spirited debate about life.
Seiwajuku has been attracting young entrepreneurs from all over Japan and around the world offering a place for those future leaders to cultivate a positive learning environment that members can encourage each other to reach their goals. Dr. Inamori is also very passionate in his volunteer activities based on his principle that ” business leader who possesses center core is capable of shaping a future of Japan”.
What is SEIWAJYUKU?
Original Seiwajuku started in 1983 as a voluntary study group consists of young entrepreneurs in Kyoto who shared the same passion to learn the philosophies of life and business management from Dr. Kazuo Inamori, founder and chairman emeritus of Kyocera Corporation. Seiwajuku is described as a “dojo (training hall)” of life where the ardent members and Dr. Inamori engage in spirited debate about life.
Seiwajuku has been attracting young entrepreneurs from all over Japan and around the world offering a place for those future leaders to cultivate a positive learning environment that members can encourage each other to reach their goals. Dr. Inamori is also very passionate in his volunteer activities based on his principle that ” business leader who possesses center core is capable of shaping a future of Japan”.
What is Inamori Philosophy?
Inamori seriously contemplated questions such as “What is the right thing to do as a human being?” and “What is the purpose of life?” as he overcame various challenges. He came up with a series of guiding principles for work and life, which comprise the management philosophy that has guided Kyocera’s progress to this day.
The Twelve Management Principles
01. Clearly, state the purpose and mission of your business
Set high objectives that are noble, just and fair
02. Set specific goals
Once targets are set, share them with all employees
03. Keep a passionate desire in your heart
Your desire must be strong and persistent to penetrate into your subconscious mind
04. Strive harder than anyone else
Work steadily and diligently, one step at a time, never relenting in tedious tasks
05. Maximize revenues and minimize expenses
Measure your inflow and control your outflow; don’t chase profit, but let it follow your effort
06. Pricing is management
Pricing is top management’s responsibility: to find that one point where customers are happy and the company is most profitable.
07. Success is determined by willpower
Business management requires a persistent, “rock-piercing” will
08. Possess a fighting spirit
Management requires a more combative mentality than any martial art
09. Face every challenge with courage
Be fair and never deceive others
10. Always be creative in your work
Innovate and improve continuously. Today should be better than yesterday; tomorrow, better than today
11. Be kind and sincere
Business is based on partnerships and must bring happiness to all parties.
