This time, Inamori* spoke about the above motto in Kyocera philosophy.
What Inamori said is quoted with “”.
“ ven when placed in circumstances unlike anything we have ever experienced, we must not make poor judgments. As business leaders, we must judge every situation not based on convenience or self-interest, but on the standard of ‘what is right as a human being.’
In other words, no matter how the times may change, we must always make decisions according to the question, ‘What is right as a human being?’ That is what I mean when I say we must make judgments in accordance with fundamental principles. “
This statement represents the core standard of judgment that leaders must keep in their mind even under the times of crisis.
What exactly are these “fundamental principles” that Inamori speaks of?
What happens when we ignore them?
In this message, I would like to explore these questions, drawing on my own experiences and reflections.
I believe these “fundamental principles” can be summed up as follows:
1. Doing what is right as a human being
2. Acting in a way that is consistent with logic and natural order
3. Aligning with universal standards of morality
Let me explain them one by one.
1. Doing what is right as a human being
“ When a person possesses ability, power, and even gains a certain level of authority or status, they tend to use those advantages for their own benefit. Such individuals lack a moral compass—an internal standard to restrain themselves. And the reason for this is that there is no guiding philosophy within the company. Without such a philosophy, there are no clear rules about what should or should not be done.
That is why I have told my executives: a company must have a philosophy that defines what is acceptable and what is not. This philosophy must serve as the standard for all decisions, and it should be as pure and noble as possible. ”
(Quoted from the Inamori Digital Library)
→ This, I believe, points to one universal truth that holds across time and cultures:
We must never use money as our ultimate standard of judgment.
In many Western-led societies, money has become the sole criterion by which everything is measured. Those who have money are seen as superior; they wield power, and with that power, they dominate others.
Tragically, such values prevail in the very nations that currently lead the world.
However, no society that places money at its center can enjoy lasting prosperity.
Only when we become aware of this and return to fundamental principles—doing what is right as human beings—can we build organizations that thrive in the long term, and lead lives that are truly meaningful and fulfilling.
2. Acting in a way that is consistent with logic and natural order
“ ’What is ‘right as a human being,’” Inamori says, “is what Saigo? called Ten (Heaven). Through the phrase Keiten (reverence for Heaven), Saigo? taught the importance of following the righteous path indicated by Heaven. When I came to understand this, I felt strongly that—even if what I had thought through with great effort may have seemed immature—it was by no means wrong. ”
(Quoted from the Inamori Digital Library)
→In this context, what we call reason or rightness could also be understood as the laws of the universe.
Water always flows from high to low.
Unless some external force is applied—as with a fountain—it will never rise from low to high.
In the same way, to understand the flow of the universe—the energy, the laws, the natural order—we must study and feel them deeply.
One powerful means of doing so is Aikido.
Through practicing Aikido, we begin to comprehend what nature truly is. And once we understand nature, we can begin to recognize what is unnatural or against universal rules, which means the ultimate nature.
Then, we start to see clearly: many things now prevalent in the world are not just unsustainable—they are fundamentally unnatural and unreasonable.
It is by aligning with the laws of nature that we begin to discern what should and should not be done.
3. Aligning with universal standards of morality
“ ‘To stay on the path of righteousness is to inevitably face hardship.
Yet no matter how severe the trials, one must continue walking that righteous path,’ said Saigo Nanshu (Saigo Takamori).
If you are always rigid and overly serious, people around you will surely criticize or ridicule you.
But those who pursue the righteous path must never be defeated by such things.
Even when you try to do the right thing, no one will praise you and say, “That’s admirable.”
On the contrary, there will always be those who slander or obstruct you.
Still, Saigo taught, we must persevere and uphold what is right, no matter what comes our way.
In other words, we must not fall into the trap of easy living—adjusting ourselves to the crowd and navigating life skillfully just to avoid friction.
I recall a senior colleague during my days at Shofu Industry once taught me such a way of life—how to ‘get by in the world.’ But that kind of convenient compromise is not the way of principle. ”
(Quoted from the Inamori Digital Library)
→ When cultures, nations, and religions differ, the notion of morality also tends to diverge.
However, if we reflect upon morality in the light of nature, I believe we can arrive at a set of universal moral principles that transcend such differences.
For example, in the natural world, the role of women is to give birth, nurture, and raise life. This is their essential and natural function.
Likewise, human beings form families. The family becomes the foundation for raising the next generation, and from there, communities are built.
Any ideology that aims to dismantle the natural role of women or destroy the foundation of the family is, in my view, clearly in violation of these fundamental principles.
In conclusion, what Inamori refers to as “fundamental principles” is the alignment of one’s actions with the universal laws of nature and with commonly shared morality—doing what is right as a human being.
During my twenties to forties, I was deeply influenced by Western ideas and ways of thinking. I could not fully understand the meaning of these principles then. But now, they resonate with me deeply.
To keep from losing sight of these essential truths, I believe it is vital to return again and again to the study of philosophy—and to live by it.
* Mr. Kazuo Inamori, the founder of Kyocera, KDDI (one of the top tele communication companies in Japan) and the top of revitalization project of JAL. As a well-known Japanese entrepreneur, he has been sharing his experiences and management know-how with managements of small to middle companies in Japan.
Further queries or doubts, please email to ytomizuka@abrilsjp.com
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