Message

In the age of AI, sensing is the foundation that enables applications across industry, society, and the natural world. Just as vision accounts for nearly 80% of human sensory information, intelligent vision sensors—such as cameras and video surveillance systems—are already widely used in every aspect of modern life.
Yet in environments beyond the reach of sight—underground, under the sea, and inside structures—sensing capabilities analogous to hearing are becoming increasingly important. Much like human hearing, which accounts for about 10% of sensory information, fiber optic sensing serves as the “ears” and “nerves” of these invisible domains, detecting vibrations and sounds with exceptional sensitivity.
This technology reveals its true value not only in earth science and resource exploration, but also in advanced and aging social infrastructure. By continuously monitoring the interiors of structures that are difficult to inspect visually—such as bridges, tunnels, and pipelines—in real time, and by detecting early signs of anomalies, fiber optic sensing contributes significantly to asset preservation, disaster prevention, and disaster mitigation.
Guided by our vision of “Contributing to the creation of a safe and secure society,” AllianStream Photonics Group has continuously pursued technological innovation and product development, supporting customers across a wide range of sites and industries.
Now, the Group has established Aikawa Photonics in Japan. Carrying forward our belief in “Connecting all things with light and listening to the world through fiber,” we deliver cutting-edge fiber optic sensing products. By leveraging advanced technologies, a robust supply chain, stable supply capabilities, and total solution expertise, we strive as one Group to reach new heights—detecting invisible anomalies and supporting society’s safety and security through our unique technologies.

Dr. Zuyuan He
Chairman
Aikawa Photonics Inc.

I have been engaged in research on “Optical Fiber Sensors” as a university faculty member since 1979. Because my initial affiliation was with a research institute belonging to a university specializing in aerospace studies, my work began with research on “Optical Fiber Gyroscopes.” Over time, my research expanded to technologies for measuring physical phenomena occurring within optical fibers as distributed information along their length.
Dr. Zuyuan He, Chairman of AllianStream Photonics Group and founder of Aikawa Photonics, completed his doctoral studies in my laboratory and earned his Ph.D. in engineering. After working in photonics-related industry in the United States, he returned to Japan and joined as a faculty member of the graduate school, to which I belong.
Within the electrical and electronic engineering graduate programs, we promoted two major initiatives of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology: MEXT; the “21st Century Center of Excellence: COE” and the “Global COE,” over a ten-year period beginning in 2002. I served as the program leader, while Dr. He served as the executive director. Under the COE theme “Secure-Life Electronics,” dozens of laboratories conducted research aimed at developing electronics technologies that contribute to a safe and secure society.
In our research group, Dr. He and I advanced the development of “Fiber Optic Nerve Systems for Materials and Structures that can feel their Pain,” creating technologies that contribute to societal safety and security. We invented a unique method for distributed measurement of Brillouin scattering within optical fibers by synthesizing optical interference characteristics, enabling the detection of strain and temperature distributions through optical fibers attached to structures.
Dr. He was later invited to return to his alma mater as a professor, where he led a large research group, invented multiple original technologies, and developed high‑performance “Optical Fiber Distributed Acoustic Sensors: DAS.” He also founded a startup company, successfully bringing these technologies to market.
As someone who knows both Dr. He’s “research capabilities” and his “character” extremely well, it is a great pleasure for me to accept the role of chief technical advisor upon the establishment of the Japan office. I am committed to ensuring that Aikawa Photonics’ technologies contribute to building a “safer and more secure society,” and I sincerely hope that our activities will further promote the widespread adoption of “Optical Fiber Sensing Technologies.”

Dr. Kazuo Hotate
Chief Technical Advisor
Aikawa Photonics Inc.