Notable Moments

November 22, 2021

November 23 is said to be "Good Older Brother's Day" in Japan. Inamori had a great older brother. His brother Toshinori was his main playmate when they were young and his foremost supporter as they grew older. Toshinori, who was deeply serious and caring towards his siblings, supported their household and took care of their parents as the oldest brother. He also encouraged Inamori to pursue his own aspirations.

When Inamori expressed his wish to attend college after graduating high school, their father opposed it due to financial constraints. It was Toshinori who convinced their father, saying, "At least let Kazuo go to college." He was also the one who stopped Inamori from resigning from Shofu Industries, paving the way for the later founding of Kyocera. The support of this good older brother at various points in Inamori's life has certainly contributed to his success as an engineer and business manager.

Although Toshinori, the older brother who built up the Inamori family with his younger brother, has already passed away, he lives on in Inamori's heart with deep affection and respect. Siblings are something to cherish forever.

Photo: Inamori with his older brother Toshinori on a trip to Nikko (1954)