Masashi Tanaka, Nikon Fellow

Masashi Tanaka joined Nikon in 1971. Upon entry to the company, he was assigned to the optical design department, and to this day has been continuously engaged in all aspects of optical design.
The categories of products he has dealt with in his career are very diverse — microscopes, measuring instruments, surveying instruments, ophthalmic instruments, ophthalmic lenses, IC and LCD steppers and scanners, etc. He has greatly contributed to the development of the large-sized, high-resolution LCD panels we are familiar with today. He is also respected for his many important achievements in the development of optical design software, such as that utilized for the design and evaluation of multipurpose lenses, which is still in use in the company.
Tanaka was appointed Nikon Fellow in 2006, and manager of the company's Optical Design R&D Section in 2007. He has also acted as an advisor for the promotion of Nikon's business in this field and is a leader in developing next-generation lenses. Tanaka is promoting educational activities for young engineers at Nikon, as well as taking the role of an instructor at industry seminars.
All in all, he is vigorously involved in a wide spectrum of activities to nurture the development of engineers of the future, for the benefit of the optical industry of Japan.