RITA-LABO is established to engage in research and development on three educational themes with an aim to train future leaders in reforms and build an innovative educational research network.

First, we will research and develop methodology to train leaders whose action is motivated by Rita no Kokoro, or “altruistic mind.” With focus placed on the process of the spirit of “Rita” growing into leadership, comparative research is conducted on leaders who are driven to action motivated by “Rita.” The project also pursues the theme of “Willpower to overcome difficulties” and develops plans to instruct on how to foster greater zest for living in children, learning from the personal history of Dr. Inamori who faced many hardships before achieving great success.

Second, we will conduct research and development on the change in the design of instructional methods in light of the Amoeba Management system. The aim is to create new performance indicators based on the concept of the Amoeba Management system, and to conduct research and development on the design of inquiry-based learning to help children foster the ability to solve problems on their own, based on the lessons learned from the reconstruction of Japan Airlines and other cases.

Third, we will conduct research on an organization that learns and reforms itself from the perspective of the Amoeba Management system. We will organize book club meetings to read books about Inamori’s management philosophy and invite renowned business leaders and teachers who promote innovative educational reforms to deliver a series of lectures. We will also learn about cutting-edge educational and research institutes in Japan and abroad and explore specific measures to create an educational and research organization that learns and reforms itself, based on the personnel training method that Dr. Inamori has implemented in line with the idea of “Rita” and the Amoeba Management system. We will publish MONTHLY-RITA (tentative name): a report on the results of our educational research and development projects, to draw the attention of society to educational issues and communicate our achievements.

1.Motivation

Research and development on how we can foster motivation in leaders toward organizational reform

• “Can ‘Rita’ serve as a means of motivation?” Research on “Rita” and self-reformation
• “How can we overcome difficulties?” Research and development on instructional methods in education, learning from the personal history of Dr. Inamori

2.Instructional Design

Research and development on the design of instructional methods in education

• Creation of performance indicators for teachers, incorporating the Amoeba Management system
• Research and development on project-oriented learning, in light of the lessons learned from the reconstruction of Japan Airlines and other cases (toward the “Amoeba” learning style)

3.Learning Organization

Research on the creation of an organization that learns and reforms itself and report on research results

• Organization of book club meetings and publication of MONTHLY-RITA
• Serial lectures by business persons in charge of corporate reforms at Kyocera, Japan Airlines, etc.
• Research on innovative instructional methods as part of the collaboration with major cooperative schools abroad