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Supporting Academic Advancement and Research

Inamori Center at Kyoto University

Inamori Center at Kyoto University

The Inamori Foundation, chaired by Inamori, made a donation to Kyoto University for the Inamori Center, helping Kyoto University contribute not only to the local region, but also internationally through the development of science and culture in the 21st century.

This three-story building houses five departments, including the Center for Southeast Asian Studies. The Kyoto Prize Library, established to share information about the Kyoto Prize, is located on the first floor. Adjacent to it is the Audio-Visual Station and Research Resource Archive where important Kyoto University research materials are digitized and stored.

A special characteristic of the Inamori Center is its environmentally friendly design and careful attention to a harmonious existence with its surrounding environment. It's use of geothermal energy can save up to 30% in traditional energy consumption.

Inamori Center Building at Kyushu University

Inamori Center Building at Kyushu University

Inamori Center Building at Kyushu University

Kyushu University celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2011. To commemorate this momentous occasion, Kyocera and the Inamori Foundation agreed to work with Kyushu University to create new educational research facilities, which will contribute to the greater good of humanity and the world.

After a donation from the Inamori Foundation, the Inamori Center Building was completed on August 31, 2009.

The center is a four-story building. The first floor includes Inamori Hall, an auditorium for academic and cultural exchanges; and the Kyoto Prize Library, which introduces the activities of the Inamori Foundation to the public. The Inamori Frontier Research Center is located on the second through fourth floors. It facilitates state-of-the-art technology research and education in areas such as energy, the environment, and information and communication technology. The mission of the research center is to provide peace, safety and comfort to the people of the 21st century.

Shiran-Kaikan, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University

Shiran-Kaikan, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the university's founding, the Faculty of Medicine at Kyoto University built a facility to support collaboration with the community and advance medical education. Following a request from Kyoto University, Inamori made a donation to the project.

Construction was completed in 1999 and the new facility was named “Shiran-Kaikan.” Inamori Hall is on the second floor and can accommodate 250 people for lectures, symposiums and other events.

Inamori Auditorium at Kagoshima University

Inamori Auditorium at Kagoshima University

In 1994, Inamori donated funds to construct the Inamori Auditorium to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Faculty of Engineering at Kagoshima University, from which Inamori graduated. The auditorium was built for a wide range of activities, including university academic functions and community cultural activities.

The Inamori Auditorium was designed by Professor Tadao Ando in the shape of an egg to symbolize a microcosm where the life of new creation dwells. This building represents Inamori's wishes that young people, on whose shoulders the next generation rests, will fly out from Kagoshima University into the world.

Kyoto International Culture Forum

Kyoto International Culture Forum

The Kyoto International Culture Forum was convened to shed light on knowledge that must be shared by all humankind. Global participants had the opportunity to explore what all of humanity has in common — the essence of kokoro (the hearts and minds of humanity) — from a regional and historical perspective.

Inamori was president of the Kyoto International Culture Forum Organization Committee since its inception in 2003 until 2008. Lectures, forums, workshops and other events took place with a diversified assembly of invited guests from many countries.

Las Campanas Observatory Telescope (Chile)

Las Campanas Observatory Telescope (Chile)

The Carnegie Institution of Washington (U.S.A.) promotes world-class academic research and advanced education in the areas of biology, astronomy and geoscience. Inamori was a trustee from 1990 to 2002; he has been a trustee emeritus since 2002.

The Carnegie Institution of Washington consulted Inamori on a project to install the world's largest reflecting telescope. Inamori agreed with the fundamental principle of pursuing new theories related to the birth of universe, and offered assistance through Kyocera, Daini-Denden (currently KDDI) and his own personal contributions. The 6.5-meter telescope was built at the Las Campanas Observatory, located in the Chilean Andes at an elevation of 2,300 meters. In appreciation of his support, the Carnegie Institution of Washington named the two spectrographs “The Inamori Magellan Areal Camera and Spectrograph” and “The Magellan Inamori Kyocera Echelle Spectrograph.” Installation was completed in 2000 and the telescope has been contributing to the progress and development of astronomy ever since.

The Kyoto Prize (Inamori Foundation)
Seiwajyuku (Management School)
Other Philanthropic Endeavors