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Dr. Kazuo Inamori, Founder of KYOCERA, to Give Keynote Address at 1st International Congress on Ceramics
Global Innovator to Discuss His Epoch-Making Developments and the Personal Philosophy He Considers Key to a Researcher's Success
SAN DIEGO -- June 23, 2006 -- Dr. Kazuo Inamori, founder and chairman emeritus of Kyocera Corp., a global leader in the advanced ceramics industry, will be the keynote speaker at the 1st International Congress on Ceramics, a landmark event taking place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, June 25-29, 2006.
The Congress is intended to facilitate a global roadmap for the advanced ceramics industry, a sector of scientific innovation, research and development that has played a vital role in industries ranging from microchips to medical equipment. As perhaps the foremost living pioneer in the development of commercial applications for advanced ceramic materials, Dr. Inamori will use his keynote address to officially inaugurate the Congress and its week-long series of events beginning Sunday, June 25 at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel.
Among Dr. Inamori's achievements is establishing the Kyoto Ceramic Co., Ltd. (now Kyocera Corporation) in 1959 with 27 colleagues and the equivalent of about US$10,000 from a friend. Though just 27 at the time, Dr. Inamori went on to lead Kyocera into global eminence, with approximately 60,000 employees worldwide and sales exceeding US$10 billion for the year ended March 31, 2006.
"I founded Kyocera by combining the unique properties of fine ceramics with other materials and technologies in a way that I thought might bring a benefit to society and humankind," Dr. Inamori stated. "I hope that our efforts have contributed in some small way to the development and success of our industry, and that even greater future dreams may be possible for others as a result of our work."
Dr. Inamori's first product supported the 1950s revolution in television manufacturing. His ceramic materials, components and devices later made essential contributions to a vast range of other high-tech fields. These include the development of the semiconductor industry; the rapid growth in the field of electronic components; structural ceramics; cutting tools; "bio-ceramic" medical and dental implants; office copiers and printers; fiber optics; wireless phones and communications networks; and alternative energy. In the field of solar power, for example, Dr. Inamori's polycrystalline silicon process technologies have made Kyocera among the world's leading manufacturers of solar electric generating systems.
KDDI, which Dr. Inamori established as DDI Corporation in 1984, has grown to become Japan's second-largest telecommunications company.
But even more important than successful research and business skills, Dr. Inamori contends, is a researcher's philosophy.
"In order to conduct research that truly contributes to the betterment of humanity we scientists need a wonderful outlook on life, as well as a worthy personal philosophy," Dr. Inamori stated. "We must always have criteria in our hearts that can help us answer the question, 'What is the right thing to do as a human being?' and guide us to do what is good for society and humanity in our daily work."
More than 600 executives, scientists and engineers from the ceramics and glass industries are expected to attend the International Ceramics Congress on June 25-29. The global event will provide interactive workshops led by a host of experts and researchers, a Technology Showcase and two poster sessions for professionals who share a concern about the future of this industry.
Among the plenary speakers on Monday, June 26 will be Rod Lanthorne, president of Kyocera's North American headquarters in San Diego, Calif.
"Ceramics play a vital role in today's industry and in the future of manufacturing," Lanthorne stated. "They can be nearly as hard as diamond, immune to corrosion, resistant to wear, and able to function for prolonged periods at extremely high temperatures. The further development of many fields depends on advanced ceramic materials."
About KYOCERA
Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics. By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera Corporation has become a leading supplier of engineered ceramics, semiconductor packages, electronic components, solar energy systems, medical and dental implants, telecommunications equipment, and document solutions equipment. Kyocera has operated in the U.S. continuously since 1969, when it entered California's Silicon Valley and established its first subsidiary company outside Japan. During the year ended March 31, 2006, the company's net sales totaled 1.18 trillion yen (approximately US$10 billion).
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