KYOCERA founder Kazuo Inamori receives “Entrepreneur for the World” award

Patrick Molle, President of EMLYON Business School, and Jean-Luc Decornoy, Chairman of KPMG SA, presented Dr. Inamori with the award for his “achievements as an entrepreneur, notably founding KYOCERA and KDDI, his commitment to society through several foundations and the messages he conveys in public spheres, making him a role model, legitimate to carry the voice of entrepreneurship on the global scale.”

Dr. Inamori founded KYOCERA Corporation in Kyoto, Japan in 1959 at the age of 27. The company has been a pioneer in the development of advanced ceramics, which play a vital role in many fields, including IT, semiconductors, solar energy and high-tech manufacturing. Dr. Inamori developed and implemented a unique company philosophy and management system, which uses the concept, “Do what is right as a human being,” as the basis for decision making. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, KYOCERA has grown to become a global leader in multiple fields with net sales of approximately 1.13 trillion yen (USD11.5 billion) and nearly 60,000 employees in FY2009.
In 1984, Dr. Inamori established the non-profit Inamori Foundation and created the Kyoto Prize, a prestigious international award now in its 25th year. He also serves as president of Seiwajyuku, a business leadership association dedicated to nurturing business owners and entrepreneurs.

“Entrepreneur for the World” Awards are presented in four categories: Entrepreneur, Social Entrepreneur, Politician, and Expert. In addition to Kazuo Inamori, who was honored in the Entrepreneur category, this year’s recipients include Fazle Hasan Abed (Social Entrepreneur category); Mary Robinson, former President of the Republic of Ireland (Politician category); and Bert Twaalfhoven (Expert category).

The World Entrepreneurship Forum was established by EMLYON Business School, the leading European business school in entrepreneurship, and KPMG, the leading tax, audit and advisory services company. The Forum is founded on the conviction that the entrepreneur is a creator of wealth and social justice. It gathers 100 selected international members of 40 nationalities for three days each year, under the high patronage of Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France. The members convene to propose recommendations aimed at fostering the development of entrepreneurship and social justice on the global scale.

www.world-entrepreneurship-forum.com