 He discovered carbon nanotubes in 1976 as part of his studies at University of Orleans in France.He has been awarded the Charles E. Pettinos Award from the American Carbon Society in 2001, "For his pioneering work and applications of carbon nanotubes", Medal of Achievement in Carbon Science and Technology from the American Carbon Society in 2004, "for the discovery of, and early synthesis work on, carbon nanotubes".Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1946, he studied electrical engineering and received his Bachelor of Engineering and Master's degree in 1969 and 1971 from Shinshu University, Japan, respectively, and obtained "Docteur d`Universite" in 1975 from University of Orléans, France, then Ph.D. in 1978 from Nagoya University, Japan.