His family's home was firebombed during World War II.
He was the founder of the Kyoto Prize, recognizing advancements in sciences, arts, technology and philosophy. Past awardees include linguist Noam Chomsky and primate expert Jane Goodall.
He received a degree in chemical engineering at Kagoshima University.
He built major ceramics and telecommunications companies in post-war Japan, then, in 1997, became a Buddhist monk.