1997(age65)

Management

Inamori resigns chairmanship of Kyocera Corporation and DDI Corporation; retains position of non-representative director; is appointed “founder and chairman emeritus” of Kyocera and DDI.

1997(age65)

Philosophy

Inamori enters Buddhist priesthood during ceremony at Enpuku-ji temple of the Rinzai sect, Myoshin-ji lineage.

1998(age66)

Kazuo Inamori’s Practical Study (Nikkei Shimbun Publishing) is published.

1999(age67)

Social Activities

Inamori donates Shiran-Kaikan Inamori Hall to Kyoto University

2000(age68)

Management

Mita Industrial Company (copier manufacturer) is acquired; Kyocera Mita Corporation (now KYOCERA Document Solutions Corporation) is established.

2000(age68)

Management

KDDI is established when DDI, KDD and IDO merge. Inamori becomes chairman emeritus of KDDI.

2000(age68)

Inamori is appointed as a foreign associate of the National Academy of Engineering in the United States.

2001(age69)

Management

Inamori becomes honorary adviser of KDDI Corporation.

2001(age69)

Social Activities

Inamori establishes the China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development (later renamed Inamori-Kyocera Western Development Scholarship Fund) to support university students in western China and becomes its senior advisor.

2002(age70)

Social Activities

The first civic forum sponsored by Seiwajyuku students is held. Inamori delivers a lecture titled “What is the Purpose of Life?” (By 2016, it has been held in 59 locationss with a total audience of 102,178 people.)

2002(age70)

Inamori is appointed Honorary Consul of the Republic of Paraguay.

2002(age70)

Abshire-Inamori Leadership Academy is established.

2003(age71)

Social Activities

Inamori establishes Seiwa Social Welfare Association and Inamori Social Welfare Foundation.

2003(age71)

Social Activities

Inamori receives the Andrew Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.

2004(age72)

Social Activities

Inamori receives title of "Envoy of Sino-Japanese Friendship" from China-Japan Friendship Association.

2004(age72)

Social Activities

Inamori establishes Kyoto Daiwa Children’s Home, a community home that cares for infants and children.

2004(age72)

A Compass to Fulfillment (Sunmark Publishing) is published.

2005(age73)

Social Activities

Inamori Academy of Management and Technology (now Inamori Academy) is established at Kagoshima University.

2005(age73)

Management

Inamori resigns from Kyocera Corporation’s Board of Directors and assumes the position of honorary chairman.

2006(age74)

Amoeba Management (Nikkei Shimbun Publishing) is published.