Establishment
Mr. Namihei ODAIRA, founder of Hitachi, Ltd., established HCRL in April 1942. He asserted from the very beginning that basic research in fundamental technologies would be essential to Japan's industrial progress. He also recognized the importance of fostering the dynamic interaction between research and day-to-day business. Thus, HCRL was founded "to create new basic technologies for the coming 10 to 20 years, as well as to pursue development work for today's business." This decision was highly visionary for its time; in the middle of WWII, when most of the industrial sector was more concerned with immediate matters. However, it was a logical extension of the mission Mr. Odaira set for Hitachi on its founding: "To be a pioneer in technology and to contribute to the prosperity of society through technological advancement."
Kokubunji was selected after careful consideration of many prospective locations around Tokyo.
Cherishing the natural environment is a long-held Japanese tradition, and also a policy of HCRL. In building the laboratory, Mr. Odaira gave instructions to avoid cutting the trees. This policy has been adhered to by succeeding General Managers. As a result, HCRL is one of the few location in suburban Tokyo to maintain the pristine natural environment of the Musashino area, a treasured inheritance.
Legacy of Dr. Kumeo BABA
Dr. Kumeo BABA, the first General Manager of HCRL, was devoted to the
further education and development of personnel. He was well versed in the
Chinese classics, such as the Confucian Canons and The Five Classics, and
incorporated many teachings into Hitachi's basic philosophy. One of these is
the "Ku-jin" philosophy("Empty yourself of selfishness and devote yourself
to sincerity). Another is "Yu-gen, jikko" (Announce your intentions, then
fulfill your plans).
Another legacy of Dr. Baba is the "Henjin-kai" or the"Henjin" Association: an association of doctoral degree holders, established to
foster an in-house ethos of aspiring to higher-learning. The members are
employees of the Hitachi Group who have obtained their doctoral degree
through research conducted at work, or who obtained their degree prior
to joining Hitachi. Through the association, he encouraged researchers
to pursue higher-education, cultivation of skills, even more advanced research,
and thus contribute to the advancement of science and technology, and thus
society. He also believed that the Association, inheriting Hitachi's founding
principle of the "Pioneer Spirit", would contribute to the growth
of the company by promoting cooperation and exchange between members from
a wide range of technical backgrounds .
"Henjin-kai", formed in 1952, has grown from just 30 members to more than 2,000 members,
of which approximately 200 members are working at HCRL.
