Yasujiro Niwa

Electrical engineer. Born in Mie Prefecture. Graduated from the Department of Electrical Engineering, Tokyo Imperial University College of Technology (now the Faculty of Engineering, University of Tokyo) in 1916 (Taisho 5). After working at the Ministry of Communications' Electrical Testing Laboratory, he became head of the technical department at NEC in 1924. He obtained his doctorate in 1926 for his research on induction coefficients. He traveled to Europe and the United States to learn about the significance of phototelegraphy technology, and after returning to Japan, he worked on technological development and completed the NE system in 1928 (Showa 3). He surpassed German and French technology and transmitted 253 photos of the Emperor's enthronement ceremony from Kyoto to Tokyo, attracting worldwide attention. He then moved on to wireless phototelegraphy and directed research. In 1937, he was awarded the Imperial Academy Prize. He retired from NEC in 1947 (Showa 22), and became the first president of Tokyo Denki University in 1949. He served as chairman of the Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan and the Japan Radio Association, among other organizations. In 1959, he was awarded the Order of Culture.

[Satoshi Ihara]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

電気工学者。三重県生まれ。1916年（大正5）東京帝国大学工科大学（現在の東京大学工学部）電気工学科卒業。逓信(ていしん)省電気試験所を経て1924年、日本電気（NEC）の技術部長となる。1926年「誘導係数の研究」で学位を取得。欧米に出張して写真電送技術の意義を学び、帰国後、技術開発に取り組み、1928年（昭和3）NE方式を完成。ドイツ、フランスの技術をしのぎ、天皇の即位式の写真を京都から東京へ253枚電送し、世界の注目を集めた。ついで無線写真電送へと進み、研究を指導。1937年帝国学士院恩賜賞受賞。1947年（昭和22）日本電気を退職、1949年東京電機大学初代学長。電気学会、日本電波協会各会長などを歴任。1959年文化勲章を受章。

［井原　聰］

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