Dr. Hirofumi Akagi stands as a preeminent figure in electrical engineering and a globally recognized authority in power electronics research. He currently holds the distinguished position of Distinguished Emeritus Professor at the Institute of Science Tokyo, having established his academic career following the completion of his Ph.D. at Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1979. Born in Okayama, Japan, in 1951, he earned his undergraduate degree from Nagoya Institute of Technology in 1974 before advancing to graduate studies at Tokyo Tech. His professional journey encompasses significant appointments at Okayama University for nine years and Nagaoka University of Technology for twelve years, culminating in his return to Tokyo Tech in 2000 where he has profoundly influenced the field through both research and leadership.
Professor Akagi's most transformative contribution is the pioneering development of the instantaneous reactive power theory, universally known as the p-q theory, which fundamentally reshaped power quality management and active filtering in electrical systems worldwide. His seminal 1983 conference presentation and 1984 journal publication on this subject have accumulated over 4,000 citations, establishing the theoretical foundation for modern power conditioning technologies still in use today. He further expanded the field through his invention of hybrid active-passive filters, whose principles were implemented in Japan's super high-speed magnetically levitated train system on the Yamanashi test line, demonstrating the practical impact of his theoretical work. With more than 140 publications in IEEE Transactions and journals, his research has garnered over 65,000 citations with an H-index of 104, reflecting the extraordinary breadth and depth of his influence across academic and industrial applications.
Beyond his technical innovations, Professor Akagi has shaped the global power electronics landscape through extensive professional leadership, including his presidency of the IEEE Power Electronics Society from 2007 to 2008 and service as IEEE Division II Director from 2015 to 2016. His exceptional contributions have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards, making him the world's first and only recipient of both the IEEE Medal in Power Engineering and the EPE Gaston Maggetto Medal. Professor Akagi has mentored generations of engineers and researchers, establishing educational frameworks that continue to guide power electronics education worldwide. His enduring legacy persists as his theories and inventions remain foundational to contemporary advancements in renewable energy integration, electric transportation systems, and smart grid technologies that address pressing global energy challenges.
