Ever since I founded Nidec Corporation back in 1973, I have believed that motors would become “the central core of industry.” In fact, since they appeared in the early 19th century, motors have been used in all types of electrical appliances and are now an indispensable part of our daily lives. It is claimed that motors use 55% of the electricity generated around the world today, and the role that motors play is rapidly expanding as electrification and automation progresses.
I am greatly concerned, however, that even though motors are so crucial to our lives, there is little progress in the development and training of motor researchers, both in Japan and around the world, and I fear that we may even be moving backwards. For these reasons, I announced the creation of the Nagamori Awards in 2014 because I wanted to find researchers who have a burning desire to contribute to global development through research on motors, and who wanted to put their energies into the research of motors and motor related fields.
I established the Nagamori Foundation to support researchers and development engineers, and contribute to scientific and industrial development, both in Japan and internationally, by commending those who engage in science and technology R&D activities around the world, and to play a role in creating affluent lives and conserving the global environment. The activities of the foundation are to administer the Nagamori Awards, and to provide financial support for entry and mid-level researchers, and I intend to further expand the activities.
I hope that through these activities we can further advance motor and related technologies, create new and innovative technologies, and work to build a new world for the prosperity of us all.
