Study Circle - Biography of Mr. Inamori Kazuo
Date. 2022.09.29
Kazuo Inamori (30 January 1932 – 24 August 2022) was a Japanese philanthropist, entrepreneur and the founder of Kyocera and KDDI. He was the chairman of Japan Airlines.
Inamori was elected as a member into the National Academy of Engineering in 2000 for innovation in ceramic materials and solar cell development/manufacturing, entrepreneurship of advanced technologies, and for being a role model for relating science to society.
F&A arrange a company study circle to lead the empolyee to understand biography of Mr. Inamori Kazuo & learning philosophy of this legendary character.
📘 Biography of Mr. Kazuo Inamori
Born: January 30, 1932 – Kagoshima, Japan
Died: August 24, 2022 – Kyoto, Japan
Education: Bachelor’s in Applied Chemistry, Kagoshima University
Profession: Entrepreneur, philanthropist, philosopher, Zen Buddhist monk
🌟 Major Achievements
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Founder of:
- Kyocera Corporation (1959): Started with ceramic insulators and grew into a global leader in electronics and telecommunications.
- KDDI Corporation (1984): Established DDI, which later merged to form KDDI, Japan’s second-largest telecom company.
- Japan Airlines (JAL): Appointed chairman in 2010 to lead its turnaround, successfully revitalizing the company.
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Management Philosophy:
- Developed the Amoeba Management System, promoting decentralized, autonomous team operations.
- Advocated for “Management by the Mind”, emphasizing integrity, altruism, and human-centered leadership.
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Social Contributions:
- Founded the Inamori Foundation (1984), which awards the prestigious Kyoto Prize to individuals contributing significantly to science, culture, and humanity.
- Established the Seiwajuku School, a leadership academy for entrepreneurs, which had nearly 15,000 members before closing in 2019.
📚 Core Beliefs
Mr. Inamori believed in working “for the greater good of humanity and society.” He emphasized the importance of spiritual growth alongside technological advancement. His books, such as “Passion for Success” and “To Be a Man, To Be a Leader”, are widely respected in both business and academic circles.