The History of Kumon

Kumon

Toru Kumon believed that educators have a responsibility to foster a mindset of self-learning in children.

Company founding

After developing materials tailored specifically for his own son’s ability, Toru Kumon invited some local children to study in the same way and all of them greatly improved. His desire to develop the potential of as many children as possible prompted him to open the first Kumon maths centre in Osaka, Japan in 1955. By 1969, Kumon had expanded to Tokyo reaching a combined total of over 10,000 students.

Kumon

Kumon

International Expansion - The Early Years

In 1974, Toru Kumon published a book entitled, The Secret of Kumon Maths which illustrated the aims of the Kumon Method and its effectiveness so far. It was well received, and Kumon began to expand internationally, opening its first centre outside of Japan in New York, USA.

Throughout the 1980s, Kumon expanded its geographical reach, successfully opening its first European centre in Germany.

Meaning of the Kumon logo

The O in our Kumon logo represents the ‘Thinking Face’, which is how we refer to the expression of students who are engaged; learning, thinking and growing in Kumon study centres across the world.

The Kumon blue used in our logo represents intelligence, honesty and the sky that stretches across the world.

Kumon