PeopleofSuperintelligence

Researcher

Hiroyuki Yoshikawa

Also known as 吉川弘之

Hiroyuki Yoshikawa is a precision engineer whose career spanned robotics, artificial intelligence and manufacturing design. He published on general design theory and maintenance technology and worked on the international Intelligent Manufacturing Systems project. His work earned the 1997 Japan Prize; he led the University of Tokyo and the International Council for Science. As of October 2026, he is president emeritus of the International Professional University of Technology.

Timeline

  1. 1956–1966

    Training in precision engineering

    He earns a bachelor's degree in precision engineering at the University of Tokyo in 1956, completes a doctorate in precision machinery engineering there in 1964, and joins the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research.

  2. 1966–1993

    A career at the University of Tokyo

    He joins the University of Tokyo as an associate professor in 1966, becomes professor in 1978, serves as dean of engineering from 1989 to 1991, and becomes university president in 1993.

  3. 1981–1993

    Designing manufacturing systems

    His publications include “General Design Theory and a CAD System” (1981), a 1984 paper on maintenance technology, and “Intelligent Manufacturing Systems” (1993). His research included the international IMS project, an industry-academia collaboration involving Japan, the EU and the United States.

  4. 1983–1985

    Joining robotics and AI

    He joined the Japan Society of Robotics in 1983 and the Artificial Intelligence Society in 1985.

  5. 1997

    A Japan Prize for engineering

    He received the Japan Prize for establishing the robot industry and creating a techno-global paradigm.

  6. 1999

    Leading international science

    He was elected president of the International Council for Science (ICSU) in 1999.

  7. 2014

    Joining the Japan Academy

    He was elected to the Japan Academy on December 12, 2014; his listed specialties are precision engineering and general design theory.

  8. As of October 2026

    An emeritus role in technology

    He is president emeritus of the International Professional University of Technology.

Sources and credits

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  1. The Japan Prize Foundation japanprize.jp. Checked 14 October 2026.
  2. Hiroyuki Yoshikawa - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org. Checked 14 October 2026.
  3. Personal Information - YOSHIKAWA Hiroyuki | The Japan Academy japan-acad.go.jp. Checked 14 October 2026.
  4. International Professional University of Technology | 国際工科専門職大学（東京・大阪・名古屋） iput.ac.jp. Checked 14 October 2026.
  5. 社会技術 (S&T for Society): Incorporating the Idea of the Use of Scientific Knowledge - Connecting Curiosity-Driven Scientific Knowledge to Society - RISTEX Research Institute of Science and Technology for Society jst.go.jp. Checked 14 October 2026.
  6. Professor Hiroyuki YOSHIKAWA was newly elected at the 1084th General Meeting held on December 12th, 2014 t.u-tokyo.ac.jp. Checked 14 October 2026.