A history of Kumon
![](https://www.kumon.org/files/image_widget_image/75/Founding-of-Kumon.jpg)
![](https://www.kumon.org/files/image_widget_image/72/early-years-expands-overseas.jpg)
![](https://www.kumon.org/files/image_widget_image/69/kumon-corporate-logo.jpg)
The 1950s
1954
Toru Kumon, a high school maths teacher, began providing education based on the concept of self-learning to his son, Takeshi, then a second grader in elementary school. He wrote numerous calculation problems on loose-leaf paper for his son. This was the origin of the Kumon Method.
![](https://www.kumon.org/files/timeline_images/78/Tou%2BKumon%2Band%2Bhis%2Bson%2BTakeshi.jpg)
1955
The first maths centre using Kumon worksheets is opened in Osaka, Japan.
![](https://www.kumon.org/files/timeline_images/81/Original%2BWorksheets%2Bfrom%2BToru%2BKumon.jpg)
1958
The Kumon Institute of Education is established.
1959
Toru Kumon starts the Advanced Student Honour Roll - celebrating students learning independently, above the level expected for their age.
![](https://www.kumon.org/files/timeline_images/84/Advanced%2BStudent%2BHonour%2BRoll.jpg)
The 1960s
1962
The Osaka Institute of Mathematics Ltd. is established.
![](https://www.kumon.org/files/timeline_images/87/The%2BOsaka%2BInstitute%2Bof%2BMathematics.jpg)
1968
Toru Kumon retires from Osaka Municipal Higashi High School, ending his teaching career to focus on the business of the Kumon Institute.
![](https://www.kumon.org/files/timeline_images/90/Founder%2BToru%2BKumon.jpg)
1969
The number of Kumon students exceeds 10,000.
![](https://www.kumon.org/files/timeline_images/93/10000%2Bstudents.jpg)
The 1970s
1974
The first Kumon centre outside of Japan opens in New York, USA. It was with the opening of this Centre in New York that the provision of Kumon Method study outside Japan first began.
![](https://www.kumon.org/files/timeline_images/99/First%2BKumon%2BCentre%2Bin%2Bthe%2BUSA.jpg)
1975
The number of Kumon students exceeds 100,000.
1976
Kumon celebrates the first student to complete the final worksheet in the maths programme.
1977
The first pre-school-aged child to be able to solve linear equations is nurtured via the Kumon Maths Programme.
1978
Takeshi Kumon (Toru Kumon's son and the first Kumon student) is appointed as the President of the Kumon Institute of Education.
![](https://www.kumon.org/files/timeline_images/96/Takeshi%2BKumon.jpg)
1979
Kumon arrives in Europe, offering the maths programme in Germany.
The 1980s
1980
The first Kumon Recommended Reading List is prepared.
![](https://www.kumon.org/files/timeline_images/102/The%2BKumon%2BRecommended%2BReading%2BList.jpg)
1981
The number of Kumon students exceeds 1,000,000.
![](https://www.kumon.org/files/timeline_images/105/one-million.jpg)
1987
The first Kumon International Instructors' Conference is held at the Kumon Kyoiku Kaikan in Osaka, Japan.
1989
Newsweek magazine featured an article describing how the Kumon Method was being used at an Elementary School in Alabama, USA. This lead to a tremendous number of inquiries from all around the United States.
The 1990s
1990
TIME magazine carries an article about Kumon, which led to a great number of enquiries from around the world, including from Africa.
1991
The first Kumon study centre is opened in South Africa.
1993
The number of Kumon students worldwide exceeds 2,000,000.
![](https://www.kumon.org/files/timeline_images/108/Two%2Bmillion%2BKumon%2BStudents.jpg)
1995
Chairman Toru Kumon passes away at the age of 81 (25 July).
![](https://www.kumon.org/files/timeline_images/111/Toru%2BKumon.jpg)
1997
Kumon Education South Africa (Pty) Ltd is established. President Takeshi Kumon passes away (7 January).
The 2000s
2001
The new Kumon logo is created. The number of Kumon students exceeds 3,000,000 worldwide.
![](https://www.kumon.org/files/timeline_images/114/The%2Bnew%2BKumon%2BLogo.jpg)
2002
Kumon arrives in Zambia with first centre opening in Lusaka.
2006
The number of Kumon students exceeds 4,000,000 worldwide. Student numbers in Africa exceed 20,000 for the first time.
![](https://www.kumon.org/files/timeline_images/117/4.000.000%2BKumon%2Bstudents%2Bworld%2Bwide.jpg)
2007
Kumon Education SA (Pty) Ltd celebrates its 10th Anniversary.
2008
The Kumon Group celebrates its 50th anniversary.
The 2010s
2014
Kumon Instructors across the globe met in Japan to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of founder Toru Kumon.
![](https://www.kumon.org/files/timeline_images/501/19_2014+Conference.jpg)
2017
Kumon reaches 50 countries and regions around the world.
![](https://www.kumon.org/files/timeline_images/120/Kumon%2Bin%2B50%2Bcountries.jpg)
2018
The Kumon Group celebrates its 60th anniversary.
![](https://www.kumon.org/files/timeline_images/123/60-years_new.jpg)
2019
Kumon is now in more than 50 countries and regions around the world.