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San Diego EDC Features Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, Awards Kyocera Founder

San Diego EDC Features Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, Awards Kyocera Founder

SAN DIEGO--(02-26-07)--San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) will feature Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, John Micklethwait, at a dinner program tomorrow honoring the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO - News), Dr. Kazuo Inamori. As the recipient of EDC's 2007 Herb Klein Civic Leadership Award, Dr. Kazuo Inamori is recognized as an executive who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in both business and philanthropy.

In 1959, and at the age of 27, Dr. Inamori founded Kyoto Ceramic Co., Ltd. (now Kyocera) in Japan with 28 employees and three million yen from friends. In 1971, Kyocera became the first Japanese-parented corporation with manufacturing operations in the State of California. In 2000, Kyocera acquired the wireless phone manufacturing operations of QUALCOMM, Inc. in San Diego, creating Kyocera Wireless Corp. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, the Kyocera Group's global revenue exceeded $10 billion, and approximately $2.1 billion was derived from North America, where Kyocera Group companies employ approximately 5,000 people. The company's various San Diego-based businesses have contributed to the economic development of the San Diego region.

Apart from business, Dr. Inamori established the Inamori Foundation and Kyoto Prize in the 1980s. The Kyoto Prize has a favorable impact on the San Diego region, both through the Kyoto Laureate Symposium conducted at SDSU, UCSD and USD, and through the Kyoto Scholarships that are presented to San Diego and Tijuana high school students each year. These activities continue his tradition of supporting worthy institutions such as the San Diego Japanese Friendship Garden and Olympic Training Center, and such efforts represent the contributions to the greater good of the community that EDC honors.

"We are delighted to honor Dr. Inamori at the upcoming dinner program for his numerous contributions to the region," said Julie Meier Wright, President and CEO of San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation. "And we feel it's fitting to have someone as distinguished as John Micklethwait serve as the evening's keynote speaker."

During the program Mr. Micklethwait will discuss "America and the World: The Challenge of Globalisation," which will take place at University of San Diego's Jenny Craig Pavilion on Wednesday, February 7 at 5:30 p.m. Winner of the Wincott Award, Britain's leading prize for financial journalism, Mr. Micklethwait has appeared on television and radio throughout the world including CNN, ABC, BBC, "The Charlie Rose Show," the "Today Show," NPR, and "Start the Week." He has written articles for The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Spectator and New Statesman.

For additional information contact Megan Carleton or visit www.sandiegobusiness.org.

San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation is the region's primary catalyst for a competitive economy, provides comprehensive client services to technology companies looking to expand or locate in the San Diego region, and tracks numerous data regarding the high-technology industries clustered here.

Contact:
San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation
Megan Carleton, 619-615-2968 or 619-234-1935
mc@sandiegobusiness.org
www.sandiegobusiness.org