Kumon Institute of Education Co. Ltd. (株式会社公文教育研究会) is an educational network based in Japan and created by Toru Kumon. It uses his "Kumon Method" to teach mathematics and reading, primarily to young students.[1]
History
Kumon was founded by Japanese mathematics educator Toru Kumon in July 1958, when he opened the first Kumon Math Center in Moriguchi, Osaka. Prior to creating the Kumon franchise, Kumon taught at Kochi Municipal High School and Tosa Junior/Senior High School. Inspired by teaching his own son, Takeshi, Kumon developed a curriculum focused on rote memorization.[2]
Kumon (the company) gained 63,000 students over its first 16 years. In 1974, Kumon published a book titled The Secret of Kumon Math, leading to a doubling of its size in the next two years.[2] Kumon opened its first United States locations in 1983,[3]