Founder Sazo Idemitsu

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Founder Sazo Idemitsu

人間尊重 出光佐三

The Origin of Management Ningen-Soncho

Ningen-Soncho means that humans respect humans, and is a way of thinking that centers on humans. This means that we should reflect on ourselves and become people worthy of respect, and in this way we should respect each other. What kind of people should we reflect on and respect? This is also incredibly difficult if you put it into perspective. However, this is also extremely simple if you think about it practically, using common sense and without logic. The goal is to become a person who is worthy of respect and is not ashamed of being someone who cares for himself, creates peace, and contributes to the promotion of human welfare. Going further, these people should respect each other and work together to promote peace and welfare. ”

(Source: “My Sixty Years Volume 2” pages 61-62)

The Life of Sazo Idemitsu エピソードで知る出光佐三 言葉で知る出光佐三
The Life of Sazo Idemitsu

The Life of Sazo Idemitsu

1885 Sazo Idemitsu is born
1891 Enrolled in Akama Elementary School
1895 Enrolled at Togo High School
1901 Entered Fukuoka Commercial School
1905 Entered Kobe High School of Commerce
1909 Joined Sakai Shokai
1911 Idemitsu Shokai founded
1913 Expanded into Shimonoseki and began selling Petroleum for fishing boats.
1919 Developed wheel oil to prevent freezing and provided it to Manchuria Railway.
1923 Devised a distribution ship with a measuring device and started refueling the contents.
1929 Worked hard to revise oil tariffs in Korea. Contributing to correction of high price oil sales by foreign oil companies
1940（founded in 1911） Established Idemitsu Kosan
1945 All overseas stores are closed, and Idemitsu preaches "Praise the Imperial broad-cast  announcing the end of World War Ⅱ", which clearly shows Idemitsu's way of life after defeat in the war.
1946 Started tank bottom oil recovery and other businesses (agriculture, fisheries, radio repair and sales, printing). All abolished by 1951
1947 Idemitsu Shokai and Idemitsu Kosan merged
1949 The only ethnic oil company not affiliated with foreign capital to be designated as a wholesale oil company
1951 Wrote a “consumer-oriented oil policy” and made recommendations to government authorities
1953 Importing Iranian oil (Nissho Maru Incident)
1957 Tokuyama Refinery completed.
1962 Munakata Maru No. 1 was in distress, and a company funeral was held.
1966 Resigned as president of Idemitsu Kosan and became chairman
1981 Eternal sleep
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Learn about Sazo Idemitsu through anecdotes

Learn about Sazo Idemitsu through anecdotes

Joined Sakai Shokai as apprentice

Joined Sakai Shokai as apprentice

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Started selling diesel Petroleum for fishing boats

Started selling diesel Petroleum for fishing boats

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Fierce resistance and opposition to oil control

Fierce resistance and opposition to oil control

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Providing axle oil to Manchuria Railway to prevent freezing

Providing axle oil to Manchuria Railway to prevent freezing

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Collect residual oil at the bottom of the tank

Collect residual oil at the bottom of the tank

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Nissho Maru Incident

Nissho Maru Incident

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Refinery constructed in just 10 months

Refinery constructed in just 10 months

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Knowing Sazo Idemitsu through words

Knowing Sazo Idemitsu through words

maxim

Idemitsu's five principles

Idemitsu's five principles

Ningen-Soncho

First, the first principle of Idemitsu Shokai is Ningen-Soncho, and the second and third principles are respect for people.
First, Idemitsu Shokai respects the personality of its constituent members, the store staff, and cultivates, cultivates, and forges it.The individual personality that has been perfected and strengthened in this way is further grouped, united, and strives for greatness as a group. It is our principle and policy to demonstrate our abilities and work hard for the sake of the country and the people.
First, it is a society created by humans. Human beings are at the center, and it is only natural that we should respect humans and respect ourselves. Various policies and measures will emerge as derivatives of this.

extended family

First, once a person joins Idemitsu Shokai, he or she wants to join the company as if he or she had a child in his or her family. All matters in the store are resolved with the feeling that we are both parents and children, older brothers and younger brothers.
First, it is common knowledge that Idemitsu Shokai does not cut off its head. I don't think there is a single person who thinks that they will be decapitated.

independence and self-government

First, I am not the only one who is independent in my work. Each clerk is independent in his/her own position. In other words, one should take full responsibility within the scope of one's own work and carry out the affairs to the fullest.
First, in private life and public life independence and self-governmentIdemitsu Shokai where store employees who have mastered the great spirit of the company and have been individually trained and strengthened, unite in unison under the store's overall policy and demonstrate their collective strength.

Don't be a slave to gold

First, Idemitsu Shokai 's goal should be business. Don't make money your goal. However, I am not saying that we should despise money or treat it lightly.
First, we need to make a lot of money to fund our business. We also have to save money. We must avoid wasteful spending. (Omitted) However, you must not make money in a way that will hinder the future progress of your business. Business should be the main thing, and capital accumulation should be the secondary, and we must not err on the side of this.

From producers to consumers

First, when we founded our company, we first decided to base our sales principles on the benefit of society. We have established a policy that focuses on consumers rather than producers,as suggested by Professor Uchiike*.
First, search for consumers on behalf of producers, and provide consumers with specialized knowledge about changes in the production world, the status of quality improvement and development, the balance of supply and demand, market conditions, price fluctuations, etc. I believed that institutions that provide mutual benefit are absolutely necessary for the constitution of society, and that they will last forever together with society.
*Mr. Uchiike: Professor Renkichi Uchiike of Kobe High School of Commerce, from which Sazo graduated. In charge of lectures on "rationing theory."

Shikon business acumen

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mutual aid

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Be pessimistic in good times and optimistic in adversity.

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Second Articles of Incorporation

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Return to the bottom of the tank

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Each person is a manager

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selfless

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Failure is a tuition fee

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action statement

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thorough kindness

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Strive to overcome difficulties

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self-questioning

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Tribulation will make you a ball

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Do morals change with time and society?

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Go back to Japanese

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Humans work all their lives.

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Be a rich person in heart, don't be a poor person with money.

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People who deserve respect grow with the hands of love.

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Idemitsu seen in the video

Sazo Idemitsu and Munakata Taisha Shrine

Sazo Idemitsu and Ningen-Soncho (Part 1)

Sazo Idemitsu and Ningen-Soncho (Part 2)

Information about Idemitsu Founding History Materials Room

The Idemitsu Foundation History Room is located in the Idemitsu Museum of Arts (Moji), which is in a corner of Mojiko Retro in Kitakyushu. The exhibition was completely renovated to mark the 100th anniversary of Idemitsu's founding. Please come and see the footsteps of Sazo Idemitsu.

About Idemitsu Founding History Room
出光創業史料室

Information on Idemitsu Human Gallery

The Idemitsu Human Gallery introduces and exhibits the ideas of the company's founder, Sazo Idemitsu, as well as the company's history and management philosophy.
Now, in order to be able to communicate the history and initiatives of the Idemitsu Group to as many people as possible, we are opening the facility to shareholders and the general public.

About Human Gallery
出光ヒューマンギャラリー

copyrighted work

The main books written and related by our founder, Sazo Idemitsu are as follows:
*Please check with your local bookstore for sales information.

  •

    If Marx had been born in Japan <New Edition> / Shunjusha / Sazo Idemitsu

  • Capitalism for the Working People <New Edition> / Shunjusha / Sazo Idemitsu

  • "The World of People" and "The World of Things" <New Edition> / Shunjusha / Sazo Idemitsu

  • 70 Years Ningen-Soncho /Shunjusha/ Sazo Idemitsu

  • The words of the soul of Sazo Idemitsu / Kairyusha / Bonbu Takiguchi

  • Sazo Idemitsu Do not be a slave to gold / Minerva Publishing / Takeo Tachibana

  • Sazo Idemitsu 's rebellious words: The life of a man who maintained his pride as a Japanese / PHP Business / Yo Mizuki

  • Sazo Idemitsu 's Go back to being Japanese / Asa Publishing / Yoshitaka Kitao

  • Sazo Idemitsu Idemitsu, a Business Man with a Samurai Spirit and Business Acumen / PHP Bunko / Masatsugu Kimoto

  • Biography of Sazo Idemitsu- The Path of a Samurai and Business Talent / President Inc. / Hideji Takakura

  • Novel Sazo Idemitsu- A Portrait of a Burning Man / Republisher.com / Masaji Kimoto

  • Idemitsu Kosan's self-reform/Yuhikaku/Hitotsubashi University

  • Record of Life and Death - Continued Sanriku Story/Mainichi Shimbun/Shinya Hagio

  • The Man Called Pirate (Volumes 1 and 2) / Kodansha / Naoki Hyakuta

  • The Man Called Pirate (Volumes 1 and 2) Paperback Edition / Kodansha / Naoki Hyakuta

  • The Man Called Pirate (volumes 1 and 2) paperback edition / Kodansha / Naoki Hyakuta (illustrations by Soichi Sumoto)

*"The Man Called Pirate" is published as a fictional novel based on the founder of the company.

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History

History

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Joined Sakai Shokai as apprentice

Joined Sakai Shokai as apprentice

"In order to accomplish something great, you must start small.''Sazo Idemitsu, who graduated from Kobe High School of Commerce, which was a prestigious school, said that when his classmates went to work for large companies and major banks, he said, "When you join a large company, you can only take on some of the work, but when you work for a small company, That way, I can see up close what kind of work my husband does.''Despite being criticized, he joined Sakai Shokai, a private store that handles flour and machine oil. I learned firsthand the hardships of management and the behavior of managers.
Started selling diesel Petroleum for fishing boats

Started selling diesel Petroleum for fishing boats

At the dawn of the Taisho era, coastal fishing developed and motorized fishing boats began to become popular throughout the country.
Fishing boats used only expensive gasoline and kerosene. Sazo Idemitsu went around encouraging fishermen to switch to light oil, which has better thermal efficiency and is cheaper. However, there was strong resistance to the switch, and the colors and smells were problematic.
With the support of young reformers and engineers who are trying to modernize the fishing industry, we promoted the switch to diesel oil, and we also purchased unwashed diesel oil that was sitting in Nippon Oil's warehouses and used it as fuel for fishing boats. Provided cheaply. Fuel costs dropped significantly, benefiting fishing families. Word spread, and before long they were supplying diesel oil to 70% of the fishing boats along the Kanmon coast. People called them "pirates" because of this rapid progress.
Others in the industry who were not impressed by Idemitsu's rapid progress said, "Idemitsu's sales area is Moji. I want them to withdraw from Shimonoseki.'' However, Sazo Idemitsu retorted, saying, "They sell it on the sea, but not in Shimonoseki.Where on the sea is the border between Shimonoseki and Moji?'' Furthermore, he added, "I would like to be praised for making great use of the diesel oil that was lying dormant in the warehouse,'' and as expected, the other person had no choice but to remain silent.
Fierce resistance and opposition to oil control

Fierce resistance and opposition to oil control

In the wake of the Manchurian Incident in 1931, the importance of oil as a strategic commodity increased, and state control over the oil industry was gradually strengthened. As part of this effort, whenever the government and military attempted to establish a large-scale oil organization, Sazo Idemitsu took a stand against it. He strongly opposed Manchukuo's oil monopoly plan, saying "useless controls are unnecessary.'' In 1938, the military strongly opposed the establishment of the national policy company Daika Oil, and in 1941 the establishment of the Hokuchi Petroleum Association, saying, "We don't need large, inefficient organizations with rooftops.'' "If we harness the power of trust and unity, we can do it with fewer people." Although the plan to establish Daika Oil failed, the latter's distribution was consolidated to our company, which had a proven track record, due to the simplification of the North Branch Oil Distribution Organization.
Providing axle oil to Manchuria Railway to prevent freezing

Providing axle oil to Manchuria Railway to prevent freezing

South Manchuria Railway Company (Mantetsu) was a Japanese national government company. However, all the vehicle and machine oils used were American products, and in the extremely cold region of Manchuria, there were many problems where the axle oil of the freight cars would freeze and seize up. Therefore, in 1917, Idemitsu developed a cold-resistant axle oil, "No. 2 Winter Axle Oil." The following year, in response to a major accident caused by frozen axle oil, Mantetsu conducted analyzes and tests on two types of axle oil, one made by a major American oil company and one made by our company. As a result, "No. 2 winter axle oil'' was proven to be the most excellent, and it was decided that it would be fully adopted. Sazo Idemitsu set the selling price of axle oil at half the price of Major Company's, demonstrating once again a consumer-oriented attitude that combines high quality with low prices.
Collect residual oil at the bottom of the tank

Collect residual oil at the bottom of the tank

After the war, GHQ ordered that the remaining oil in oil tanks owned by the former Navy be effectively processed and distributed. While many companies are declining due to concerns about risks such as gas explosions, "Utilizing waste oil is a socially necessary project, and no matter how difficult it is, someone has to do it.'' We decided to collect the remaining oil from the fuel tank. Because it was difficult to collect the residual oil mechanically, Idemitsu's young employees took 1 year and 4 months to collect approximately 20,000 kiloliters of residual oil by hand. As Sazo Idemitsu said, "Difficult business is what will make them (Idemitsu employees) develop the strong mental fortitude and ability to persevere through any hardship,'' our company's corporate stance in facing hardships. It became a symbol of
Nissho Maru Incident

Nissho Maru Incident

After World War II, Iran's oil Resources were under the control of Anglo-Iranian, a British oil major. Dissatisfied with the situation in which the profits from its oil Resources were not being shared, Iran declared in 1951 that it would nationalize its oil Resources. Conflict with Britain deepened, and an incident even occurred in which an Italian ship carrying Iranian oil was captured by the Royal Navy.
At the time, it was difficult for Japan to import oil through its own route without going through the majors, and this was thought to be one of the reasons for hindering the development of the Japanese economy. Sazo Idemitsu took the situation seriously, including the plight of the Iranian people, and decided to do business directly with Iran.
After persistent negotiations, Idemitsu reached a deal behind the scenes, and on March 23, 1953, Nissho Maru secretly departed from Kobe Port. Only a few people, including Sazo Idemitsu and the captain, knew the destination. They carefully investigated dangerous points along the route, evaded the British Navy's encirclement, and succeeded in bringing oil from Iran back to Japan.
"We did not import oil for Idemitsu's profit.''​ ​"They imported it to counter the domineering international oil cartels and provide cheap oil to consumers." The achievement of Nissho Maru, based on this idea, caused a sensation around the world and became the first step in Japan's ability to trade directly with oil-producing countries.
Refinery constructed in just 10 months

Refinery constructed in just 10 months

During the postwar occupation, when oil imports were severely suppressed by the oil majors, Idemitsu attempted to import Iranian oil directly using Nissho Maru and began to conceive of building a modern Refinery.
Sazo Idemitsu narrowed his sights down to the former site of the Naval Fuel Depot in Tokuyama, where residual oil was collected from the bottom of the tanks, as the site for the proposed construction of Refinery, but even after applying for permission to use the site and facilities, his application was withheld. He then applied for and was granted permission to sell the site, but it was soon requisitioned with the outbreak of the Korean War. Although the requisition was later lifted, a fierce battle unfolded between Idemitsu and Showa Oil over the sale of the site.
Nevertheless, they refused to waver in their beliefs and tried everything they could, and after about ten years of work recovering the remaining oil from the bottom of the tanks, the decision was made to sell them to Idemitsu.
Even after the transfer of the plant, we struggled to secure construction funds and find and coordinate with manufacturers and collaborators both at home and abroad, but just 10 months after construction began, a spectacular, modern Refinery of the world's highest standard was completed. The short time it was completed, which was called a global marvel, is still talked about as a testament to the "power of humanity" achieved by the unified cooperation of some 200 companies and a total of 590,000 people.

*Nenryousho: One of the munitions factories owned by the military.
Shikon business acumen

Shikon business acumen

Living simply and saving money means respecting money, not becoming a slave.

Then, we also manage businesses rationally for the benefit of society and the nation, and make profits rationally. This is about respecting money.

However, like the merchants of old, it doesn't matter if you cause trouble to people or society, you just have to make money. This is a slave to money. I didn't take that.

But I respect money. If the samurai of old knew to respect money, it would be like what my teacher wrote on the plaque.
Demonstrate your business talent with the soul of a samurai.

I believe that this spirit of spirit and business acumen was demonstrated by the samurai, and during the Meiji period, Japanese industry adopted the best aspects of foreign countries, and many great businessmen emerged.
mutual aid

mutual aid

Individualism has turned into selfishness, and we have come to believe that as long as we are good, we are fine, as long as we make money, we don't care about other people, and even if we exploit others, we are fine as long as we make money.

However, true individualism must be an individualism that seeks to improve each other. Since then, liberalism has come to mean doing whatever it wants.

Furthermore, rights ideology asserts human rights as a means to assert self-interest and selfishness.
In this day and age, these fine individualism, liberalism, and ideas about rights are being misused, and we are at a dead end.

So I often say this at meetings,
"Let's cover each other under the umbrella of each other. Isn't individualism okay? Individuals are strong and strong, and the root of Japan's selfless morality is that they do their best for each other. If we want to work freely, improve our efficiency, and do everything for each other, then that's fine. Also, if we have the right as human beings to do everything for each other, that's fine."
That's what I say.

Mutual concession, mutual help, selflessness, duty and humanity, and sacrifice all come from "each other''.
The concept of extended family comes from the word "each other."
The world is looking for that "each other".
Be pessimistic in good times and optimistic in adversity.

Be pessimistic in good times and optimistic in adversity.

They thought that the economic boom would always continue, so when there is a recession like this, they get confused and confused. I tell people to think about and prepare for times when the economy is bad, even when the economy is good. This is what I always say, "Be pessimistic and stay on track.''

However, Idemitsu and others are proactively planning various things for the future in times like now when everyone is depressed and depressed. This means "be optimistic in the face of adversity,'' but the plans we made during this time of adversity are solid and without a doubt. Even if we know that there will definitely be fluctuations in the future, it is human nature to want to do something when we make a profit.

Therein lies human contradiction. When Idemitsu speaks of Ningen-Soncho, it means respecting the contradictions of human beings.
Second Articles of Incorporation

Second Articles of Incorporation

Idemitsu is not involved in something as trivial as the oil industry; Idemitsu's true purpose is to show how humans Truly inspired and give suggestions to the nation and society.

I call oil rationing a trivial matter. There were even protests from within the company, saying, "What's this trivial thing? We're running a big business.'' But I thought, "Isn't oil rationing a small thing? What I'm trying to do is actually show that this is how humans should be. We are trying to show the true nature of human beings in all aspects of politics and education.''
Return to the bottom of the tank

Return to the bottom of the tank

Even in the post-war era, when there was little work to do, there was no one to take on this difficult and dangerous work, but the Idemitsu employees bravely took on the challenge and completed this difficult project.

Through this activity, waste oil, which had been abandoned because it could not be collected, was turned into a valuable resource that could be used for the benefit of the nation.
Each person is a manager

Each person is a manager

At work, we are independent, I do my own work, and my employees do their own work.

In other words, each of us is an independent manager in terms of the work we are responsible for.

I hear that young people in Idemitsu say, "I am a manager,'' but that means that everyone is working freely without any restrictions on authority, and I think this is the ideal situation.
selfless

selfless

In foreign countries, this nothingness means nothing.

However, in Japan, selflessness is the greatest. When you separate yourself from yourself, when you lose yourself, that's where the greatest social impact emerges.

When you are caught up in yourself, you are small. Furthermore, the premise of nothing is that oneself is as strong as anyone else in terms of personality, academics, and skills.
Using that strength not just for yourself, but for each other is the way to be selfless and selfless.
Failure is a tuition fee

Failure is a tuition fee

Every human being has mistakes. I don't think there is any law that says I can't be punished for doing something wrong, but my employees can be punished for doing it.

That's why I don't criticize human mistakes.

However, what we must not forget is the mindset of self-reflection afterward. Only by accumulating this mindset can failure turn into a precious experience.

Therefore, failure can be a valuable lesson for a person. There is progress.
action statement

action statement

This means that empty theory is not enough.

Therefore, it is generally accepted that it is no good unless it is implemented.
Conversely, "doing nothing" means not doing anything.
Some people just talk about logic but can't put it into practice.

After "talking and not acting'', "doing without speaking'' means doing things silently.
The emphasis was on execution. People in general society are supposed to do it silently.

However, Idemitsu cannot remain silent and say nothing. By doing so, you can give suggestions to others.

Isn't this a "practical statement"? Idemitsu is the one who can put things into practice and tell people what to do. It gives suggestions.
thorough kindness

thorough kindness

In other words, I am not sure how I will guide store staff in the future.
1. Be extremely kind to store staff.
1. Set an example with oneself
That's all there is to it.

The kindness of a baked blade or the kindness of a plated blade will not suffice. Kindness must be thorough.
If there is a sense of hesitancy or reservations between superiors, superiors, or co-workers, kindness will never be thorough. It is necessary to be more open and kind than to flog one's own brother. You cannot be kind to others if you are afraid of being misunderstood or think about your own position.
Strive to overcome difficulties

Strive to overcome difficulties

I have always told them to work hard and overcome difficult obstacles.
If you take easy going when you reach a certain goal, there is a way to reach it quickly.
This is the teaching of economics.

However, I have been acting contrary to the principles of economics by saying that we should work hard and walk through difficult obstacles.
The reason is that this is not the goal of humans.
It's beyond that.

Those who have come this far through easy going are the same as those who have walked through difficult hurdles up to this point, but there are still hurdles ahead. By that time, I couldn't climb anymore.

It's like a rich boy, he has no strength as a human being.
Work hard to walk through difficult obstacles, work hard and enjoy hardships.
This is important as a human being.
This is what I have been teaching.

Because he had said that he would not make money through speculation, which was contrary to economic principles, he suffered extremely during the Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa eras, the so-called heyday of capitalism.

That suffering is the great foundation that makes Idemitsu what it is today.
self-questioning

self-questioning

After last year's training for young employees, they started to voluntarily ask themselves what it means to be an Idemitsu person, so everything is okay now.

It's like having a so-called self-questioning session, asking yourself questions and answering yourself.

This means becoming your own. What you read in a book or what someone teaches you does not become your own.
Tribulation will make you a ball

Tribulation will make you a ball

(Source: “My Sixty Years, Volume 1” pages 246-247)

(Omitted) Two years have already passed for many employees who were brought back from overseas after the end of the war. During the seven and eight months of this summer, I devoted myself to researching the work of all our employees, and the results showed that not only were the worries I mentioned earlier about going to school overseas completely wiped out, but our beliefs were also confirmed. To gain a firm belief through experience in the saying, "Put your strength into tribulation; tribulation will surely end on you.'' It became. Deep in the mountains of Hiroshima Prefecture, there is a school called Tote Jitsugyo Gakko. It is especially noticeable that the graduates are showing excellent results by lining up their shoes. Is it because of the personality of the principal and teachers, or is it because of the traditional school culture? I would like to find out if she is inspired by Mikaze. Next, I was overjoyed to find out that the graduates from schools such as Shanghai Commerce and Taiwan schools, which I had been worried about, generally had good grades, and there were many excellent students among them. We rejoice for the sake of the people involved, and our belief that tribulations are your cup of tea and that you should be strong and struggle has been clearly evidenced, and since then we have been able to walk forward with full strength and confidence. Very satisfying.

People who had lived permanently in Manchuria and China had moved all of their property overseas, with the intention of burying their bones there. Since it was completely annihilated in the defeat, it is hard to imagine the pain and suffering it suffered both physically and mentally. In addition to the physical hardships it takes to be repatriated, the mental anguish that comes with worrying about the future of the entire family can be worse than death. Idemitsu's children and their families must have been agonizing over it, imagining Idemitsu's overthrow. Their worries were probably on a different level than those of people who had parents living in the mainland. And in the midst of his physical suffering, he was given a great opportunity to meditate and meditate. Tribulation has given you the opportunity to make a difference. Japanese people were forced to do hard labor at a port in Java. Everyone was of the opinion that they would not work seriously for the enemy's side. At this time, more than 10 people from Idemitsu strongly opposed this, insisting that they should work seriously and fulfill their full responsibility as prisoners of war, and that this was the true attitude of Japanese people, and 230 sympathizers. I worked with them to the best of my ability. There is a beautiful story that this moved the enemy, and they began to exchange greetings as equals, and they came to respect the Japanese in all things. This is a perfect example of facing hardships with strength and making yourself the best.
Do morals change with time and society?

Do morals change with time and society?

(Source: If Marx Had Been Born in Japan, pages 177-179)

question
Marx believed that morality and ethics are not inherent to humans or society, but rather develop as human society develops.
And in a class society, he believes that class moralities exist, each expressing the interests of its class.
By the way, shopkeeper, do you believe there is universal morality that transcends time and ethnicity, or do you think morality changes with the times?

Idemitsu
Morality does not change with the times.
Morality is about creating peace and welfare in human society, and nothing else.
Morality is not something that is invented or written.
It is in the human heart.

Morality is about living in peace and happiness in a society of two or more people.
However, because humans are inherently contradictory and selfish, and act immorally, religions and philosophies exist to admonish them.
However, I have heard from Professor Daisetsu Suzuki that in Western Europe, it was moral for conquerors to make laws and rules to govern the conquered and then follow them.
The morality of such conflicts and struggles will change with the times and will differ from country to country.
But morality is for all mankind to live happily in peace, and nothing else.
Therefore, they do not change with ethnicity, era, or country. In this sense, ideas and morality are the only things that remain eternally unchanging as long as human beings exist.

question
The store owner mentioned earlier that the moral principle for two or more people to live together is that they should live in harmony and peace with one another, but where does this idea come from?

Idemitsu
It all comes from love. Love for humanity.
Love, simply put, means always considering the other person's position, especially the stronger person always considering the position of the weaker.
Always considering the other person's position means mutual compromise and cooperation.

* Suzuki Dai 1870-1966 Philosopher and Zen researcher.
I: He wrote about Eastern thought with a focus on Zen in English and spread it abroad. He was awarded the Order of Culture in 1949. I became acquainted with the owner through the calligraphy and paintings of the monk Sengai.
Go back to Japanese

Go back to Japanese

"Go back to being Japanese."
These are the words of our founder, Sazo Idemitsu.

The Japanese have long cherished the spirit of harmony and mutual aid, not just pursuing their own interests, but doing things for the good of the world and for people.
Thanks to Sazo's beliefs, Idemitsu continues to operate with this Japanese spirit in mind.

Many words of encouragement have been sent from overseas to Japan following the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Among them were some that praised the Japaneseness that Sazo held so dear.
Those words gave us courage and reminded us of our pride in being Japanese.

On the other hand, now that we have lived through the earthquake disaster, perhaps we need to take a moment to stop and think about what true wealth is, what we should value in life, and what the ideal image of Japanese people should be going forward.

Today, Idemitsu celebrates its 100th anniversary.
What can we do in the next 100 years?
Now that the world's attention is on Japan, we will look back on our journey so far, take a new step, and aim to be a company that contributes to building society for the next 100 years.
We believe in the energy of the Japanese people.

Idemitsu 100th anniversary
June 20, 2011 Published in a newspaper advertisement
Humans work all their lives.

Humans work all their lives.

Source: “My Sixty Years” Volume 2, page 655

Humans work all their lives. In today's world, we say that having some kind of luxury or indulging in extravagance is the goal of life, but that is not the goal of life. Luxury may give you physical pleasure, but it can bring great anxiety mentally. People who look down on others by boasting about indulging in luxury and extravagance should be said to be beneath humans, close to beasts.
As I always tell people, if you are alone on a remote island, you can do whatever you want and indulge in extravagance, but if you create a society with two or more people, you can't help each other. I have to think about being happy. Isn't that what life is all about? In Japan, we are taught mutual concessions and mutual aid. If you think about it, you can easily see whether people who have a spirit of mutual benefit and mutual aid do things that are selfish to them. This is what the so-called Japanese god, the imperial family, taught us: to consider the other person's point of view and create a society of "virtue'' and "harmony.'' Therefore, in terms of the essence of the "human world,'' we work all our lives, and although it is physically difficult, we enjoy life by being together with each other mentally. I guess it's like this. For that reason, it is impossible to live a life where you are the only one experiencing some kind of physical pleasure while suffering mentally. That is life in the "world of things,'' whereas life in the "world of people'' is about working all your life, physically suffering for each other, and mentally living out each day happily and in good company.
Be a rich person in heart, don't be a poor person with money.

Be a rich person in heart, don't be a poor person with money.

(Source: “If Marx had been born in Japan” pages 156-157)

When I was a child, my parents raised me very strictly when it came to luxury. My family was upper middle class, but we had very simple meals. In that sense, I say that luxury kills people, and that luxury is a source of conflict. Whether your life is stable or not is a matter of mental stability.
In this way, I do not think about the problem of poverty only in terms of material things. Humans cannot live without eating, but they only need enough food. Isn't there another kind of spiritual wealth? In the East, there is an old saying, "He who knows what is enough will be rich,'' and it is important to be satisfied with yourself. I think about wealth, but isn't spiritual wealth more important? In the "Land of Things,'' wealth comes from material things such as money and things, but in the Land of People,'' I think there is such a thing as spiritual wealth and spiritual richness. As I said before, there is no good or bad in the heart, and I believe that the heart is all sincerity. If you have sincerity, you will perform good deeds such as being kind to others, doing something for society, and giving in to help others.
I think it means that people who have developed such a sincere heart are rich in spirit. Such people will not misuse their wisdom and knowledge, but will use it for the benefit of others and society. That's why I think it's the happiest and most important thing for humans to always have a rich heart. On the other hand, no matter how much money and luxury a greedy or unethical person has, they probably have no idea of welfare in their hearts. (Omitted) People often formally compare the material wealth of other countries with those of other countries and say that they can't or won't catch up with other countries, but there's no need to catch up with foreign countries in terms of material things. Instead, why don't we teach foreigners to catch up with the richness of the heart and the way of spiritual wealth, and that this is the path that will lead to peace? In short, be a person with a rich heart and don't become a poor person with money.
People who deserve respect grow with the hands of love.

People who deserve respect grow with the hands of love.

(Source: “Fifty Years Ningen-Soncho” pp. 43-44)

As a naive young student, I believed in human dignity and cried out, "Don't be a golden slave!'' I put this into practice, and in the Meiji and Taisho eras when capitalism was at its peak, I made the training of human resources my first priority. Then, in the era of wartime control, we were spared from being slaves to laws, institutions, and organizations; under occupation policies, we were spared from being slaves to power; and in the modern era of independence reconstruction, we were spared from being slaves to numbers. Moreover, he was able to transcend all isms without being bound by all isms, taking the advantages of capitalism, socialism, and communism and abandoning the shortcomings. Thus, for 50 years, we have expressed the reality of Ningen-Soncho and have lived with the belief that "we will reveal the Truly inspired and provide suggestions to the nation and society,'' and the oil industry can be seen as just a means to that end. This is what happened.
If that's the case, then the question is how did such a respectable person come to be?It's really simple. Although it is simple, it is extremely difficult to implement. Fifty years ago, when I started working in Moji, there were no outstanding school graduates, so I hired children who had good personalities and good grades even though they were unable to go on to higher-level schools due to family circumstances. He respected people more than academics. At first, mothers came to work with their children who had just graduated from elementary school. When I was asked to take care of this child, I agreed to raise it in place of the mother. Inheriting that mother's love, I put it into practice, and from then until this day I have realized it in every appropriate form on every occasion. This is called family paternalism. It was decided that the children who wanted to raise them would not be allowed to quit, and that their heads would not be cut off. Of course, there is no such thing as an attendance record at home. We don't need a labor union. If you have a child, you will have to pay for the rent, your wife's living expenses, and your grandchildren's allowance, so your salary will become a living wage. A mother is a mother through and through, and she is simply trying to be a mother to her child's joys, anger, sorrows, and happiness. I think this can be summed up in one simple phrase: people grow through love. In this way, loving mothers are created one after another within the company.