In recent years, research and development in the terahertz band, an unused high-frequency band, has become necessary in the information and telecommunications field to alleviate frequency congestion and accurately respond to new frequency demands. In the field of radio frequency sensing, there is also a need for research and development in the terahertz band to enable the sensing of objects that are difficult to observe with the frequencies conventionally used.

In light of this situation, with the aim of promoting the development of systems based on terahertz technology and realizing its early application in society and industrialization, we will deepen cooperation among related organizations, while conducting studies and policy proposals for new technological development and social application, public awareness activities, surveys of technological trends and user needs, research and development, and standardization activities based on the results of these activities, inspection and testing. It is essential to comprehensively promote terahertz technology through standardization activities based on the results of research and development and the examination of testing technologies. Based on the above objectives, the Terahertz System Application Promotion Council (Chairman: Makoto Ando, Director and Vice President (in charge of research), Tokyo Institute of Technology) was established on September 29, 2015, with private companies and others as initiators.

Name of the Council

Terahertz Systems Consortium

Date of Establishment

September 29, 2015

Purpose

Aiming to promote the development of systems based on terahertz technology and to achieve early social deployment and industrialization, the Consortium will contribute to the spread of terahertz systems by examining issues, making policy proposals, conducting public awareness activities, surveying trends, and studying standardization activities, while deepening cooperation among related organizations.

Project Contents

• (1) Promotion of research and development and standardization
• (2) Promotion of social deployment and industrialization
• (3) Collection, exchange and provision of information
• (4) Cooperation with related organizations
• (5) Dissemination and awareness-raising
• (6) Examination of issues and proposals for technological development
• (7) Examination of measurement and testing techniques
• (8) In addition to those listed above, other activities necessary to achieve the objectives of the preceding article.

Founder (individual and affiliated companies/organizations)

• NEC Network Sensors, Ltd.
• National Institute of Information and Communications Technology
• Panasonic Corporation
• Fujitsu Limited
• Makoto Ando (Tokyo Institute of Technology)
• Hiroyo Ogawa (Radio Industries Association of Japan)
• Tadao Nagatsuma (Osaka University)

Prospectus

Under the Radio Law, which aims to promote public welfare by ensuring the fair and efficient use of radio waves, radio waves, which are a limited resource, are widely used. In recent years, research and development in the terahertz band, an unused high-frequency band, has become necessary in the information and telecommunications field in order to alleviate frequency congestion and respond appropriately to new frequency demands. In the field of radio frequency sensing, there is also a need for research and development in the terahertz band to enable sensing of objects that are difficult to observe with the frequencies conventionally used.

In light of these circumstances, it is essential to comprehensively promote terahertz technology through studies of issues, policy proposals, public awareness activities, surveys of trends, standardization activities, etc., while deepening cooperation among related organizations, with the aim of promoting system development based on terahertz technology and achieving social deployment and industrialization at an early date. It is essential to promote terahertz technology in a comprehensive manner.

Based on the above objectives, we have established the “Terahertz System Application Promotion Council” to contribute to the comprehensive promotion of terahertz technology for the early industrialization of terahertz technology in Japan. In establishing this Council, we have invited participation from a wide range of fields, including business and industry, academia, and government agencies, and are determined to work strategically toward the widespread use of terahertz systems.