In Kyocera philosophy, Inamori says as follows,

” The mentality and mindset play a decisive role in your wonderful journey in both your life and work. The key elements for that journey are expressed with the words: love, sincerity, and harmony. “

 

“These concepts are what we humans originally have at our soul level; “love” is the emotional function by which you can feel others’ fulfillment to be your own. “Sincerity” is the fundamental of altruism, devoting yourself to others. “Harmony” is an emotional driver by which we seek not only satisfaction for ourselves but also for others.”

 

“I think these three are the fundamental mindsets that we human beings originally have. You may not be aware, but each of you is an existence which is full of love, sincerity, and harmony. In other words, you could say, –You are exactly the replica of Buddha, when we look at our mental and spiritual mechanism. -”

 

“Originally, the essence of human beings should be those beautiful concepts: full of love, sincerity and harmony. However, since our souls are covered with our physical bodies, the desire that the body emits comes out in the first place. You must have your core concepts (love, sincerity, and harmony) emerge over the communication with others by controlling your desires that cover the outside of your soul as much as possible. By doing so, we will constantly elevate our mental positions, keep our minds in harmony with love, sincerity, and integration with the will of the universe which has been keeping everything alive in the center of the universe.”

 

Above are the words of Inamori. As he is the legendary entrepreneur, Kyocera has been keeping profit and sales growth over the past 60 years. Its stock price has remained one of the top values in Japan. Therefore, I feel the above has the fundamental key to support the sustainable business administration backed by Asian business philosophy.

Therefore, I would like to draw your attention by associating Inamori’s words “love, sincerity and harmony” with Asian “I-Ching, the classic of Change theory”

 

I think that this part will be better understood by considering the origin of the universe, “Yin and Yang”. “Yin and Yang” can be interpreted as “Diffusion and Contraction”

Yin and yang is explained as follows. (From “Mawaritemeguru Microcosmos (Blessed with Circulation) ” by Kenji Okabe)

“The” yin “of yin and yang refers to the different energy (or such state) that diffuses. The” yang “refers to the centripetal energy (or such state) that contracts. These two energies are intertwined with each other to develop a spiral rotation, and through those interactions, energy is condensed and materialized. Then it appears as the phenomenon world. Also, the condensed material diffuses over time and returns to the universe. ”

The three elements that are important here are “diffusion, contraction, and circulation.”

 

Furthermore, if you look at all the phenomena of the universe based on the number “3”, you will often be able to get enlightenment.

 

Love, sincerity, and harmony are based on these three numbers.

Love, sincerity, and harmony can be equivalent to the three elements of “diffusion, contraction, and circulation.”

 

I think that the number 3, love, sincerity, and harmony, are very important not only for the management of the company but also for developing relationships with others.

 

For example, M & A (merger of companies) can be seen as the practice of this “love, sincerity and harmony”. It is an action that creates love (merger) by bringing the mindset of “Sincerity ” and “Harmony”.

 

I would also like to raise attention by using this example.

I thought that this motto, “Conduct your business practice based on the heart of love, sincerity and harmony” implies the rule and principle of the universe. For instance, both genders bring their energy and creates circulation(sex) to give a life to this world. This can be explained as the truth / principle of the universe.

“Love” represents the fundamental driver of sexual intercourse (the circulation of diffusion and contraction).

“Sincerity” symbolizes masculinity, the essence of contraction, the ultimate altruistic mind, and the mentality that sacrifices oneself.

“Harmony” implies the diffusion, the essence of the female gender, an emotional driver to realize the co-existence and fulfillment of others.

From these three elements, let us consider the themes of corporate management: 1M & A, 2 management structures, and 3 new businesses.

 

1 M & A corporate merger

 

For example, M & A requires this love, sincerity, and harmony. Mr. Inamori also applied this theory to the M&A transaction of Kyocera and AVX. The spirit of altruism, which makes oneself empty, is expressed as “sincerity.” “Harmony” is to accept our counterpart and nurture the other party. “Love” for each other will be the driving force for the growth of the company after the merger.

 

2 The structure of the management team

 

Also, for those charismatic entrepreneurs, for example Sony, Panasonic, or Honda, there had always been the right arms of those leaders. They supported leaders as “wives/ partners” who assisted the founder. Strong sincerity (= masculinity, leadership) can only be demonstrated if there are others (= femininity, assistant, right arm) who accept everything and create harmony. The spirit of helping each other becomes the energy of love, spreads among other staff, and helps to develop the company.

 

3 New business

 

Another part of the Kyocera Philosophy has the following motto:

“Conceive optimistically, plan pessimistically, and execute optimistically.”

Optimism and pessimism are opposing concepts, same as the Ying and Yang: Diffusion and Contraction.

Optimism is an expression of the desire to protect the statis quo as well as be aggressive to enhance sales. It can be said that it is a masculine expression of sincerity. But that optimism alone will never work.

 

It is important to have critical views internally. This allows to simulate from a pessimistic standpoint, “What should I do if this happens, what if this worst scenario may occur …”. This is, in a sense, feministic mindset and fundamental stream to create harmony.

 

Those conflicting positions should be well integrated within a company. That’s why the project succeeds.

It is necessary for each other to have a deep affection for the other.

Because you have that love, you can be brave to protect others. On the other hand, you can be pessimistic due to your deep love towards others. The plan goes well when those affectional energies are balanced and harmonized. By doing this, your business will get a big success.

 

I think this is what it means to be “based on the minds of love, sincerity, and harmony.”

Those three are the fundamental philosophical part of Asian sustainable business.

 

Further queries or doubts, please email to ytomizuka@abrilsjp.com

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