Fumio Harashima
Biography
The pioneering efforts of Fumio Harashima at both the Society and Institute levels in promoting the activities and benefits of IEEE helped grow Region 10 (Asia and Pacific) into the strong and vibrant region that it is today. An expert in power electronics, mechatronics, and robotics, Dr. Harashima has for decades played a significant role in expanding IEEE's reach in Japan and other Asian countries through his many leadership activities and by enlisting many new members who have become active contributors. He has actively promoted the globalization of IEEE activities and has been recognized by governments around the world for his tireless efforts in encouraging collaborative research across national borders. Instrumental to Dr. Harashima’s influence on globalization and diversification have been the many important positions he has held within IEEE. He served as President of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society from 1986 to 1987, during which time he helped identify new technological directions deserving focus. Dr. Harashima also served as IEEE Secretary in 1990 and on the following IEEE boards: Board of Directors (1990), Executive Committee (1990), Awards Board (2001–2003), Nomination and Appointment Committee (1991–1992), Fellows Committee (1970–1972, 1991–1993), and Finance Committee (1990). He has also served as organizing chair for a number of well-known international IEEE conferences, including the International Conference on Intelligent Robotics and Systems (1988-1999), International Joint Conference on Neural Networks (1994), International Conference on Robotics and Automation (1995), and the Region 10 Humanitarian Technology Conference (2013). He has also actively pursued collaboration with private industry, providing groundbreaking research and commercialization efforts for low-power consumption using inverters and power control technology in electric vehicles.
An IEEE Life Fellow and Fellow of the Japanese Federation of Engineering Societies, Dr. Harashima is a Professor Emeritus with the University of Tokyo, Japan.
