Prof. Isamu Akasaki, with whom we Toyoda Gosei have cooperated in the development of LEDs since 1986, was awarded the 2011 Edison Medal* from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). On his achievement, we would like to express our congratulations.

Under his instruction, we succeeded in the development of gallium nitride (GaN) blue light emitting diodes (LEDs) in 1991 first in the world. By 1995, we started commercial business.

Demand for LEDs is escalating for their energy-saving and long-lived features, and their applications are noticeably broadened in lighting devices.

Prof. Akasaki has been pioneering the development of GaN blue LEDs, which is now receiving wide recognition. We are proud of his attainment, and sincerely hope that he is making more progress.

* The Edison Medal is presented by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers “for a career of meritorious achievement in electrical science, electrical engineering or the electrical arts.” Prof. Akasaki is the second Japanese to receive it after Mr. Junichi Nishizawa, who was a professor of Iwate Prefectural University and received the award in 2000.