We very much appreciate such a large attendance for the NHK Science & Technical Research Laboratories' 70th anniversary symposium. Thank you very much for taking time from your busy schedule to join us on this occasion.

It was on March 22nd 1925 that NHK first broadcast a radio signal from a temporary broadcasting station located at Shibaura, Tokyo. The NHK Science & Technical Research Laboratories opened on June 1st 1930 after just five years of broadcasting in Japan, and shortly after the establishment of the famous Bell Laboratory (1925). Mr. Yoshihiko Takada*, who then was NHK Executive Director-General of Engineering, stated: "Broadcasting is a social business, applying the latest science available. Therefore, to ensure its progress and improvement, it cannot afford to neglect, even for a single day, related research and studies." I again pay honor to our predecessors for their foresight in establishing the STRL, realizing the importance of research and development in broadcasting right from the beginning.
Looking back at past research, the development of television started in August 1937, with an invitation being extended to "the father of television in Japan," Professor Kenjiro Takayanagi of the Hamamatsu Technical High School, for the Tokyo Olympics, scheduled to be held in 1941. Although the TV set developed at that time was almost the equivalent of present black-and-white TVs in performance, it did not come to realization due to the outbreak of World War II.
For the 1964 Tokyo Olympics the STRL developed the world premiere Olympic satellite relay technology, in addition to other revolutionary technologies such as Close-Talking Microphones, slow motion VTRs, and an ultra-small camera for use in interviews. The full use of these newly developed technologies contributed to a successful Olympics.

Following the Tokyo Olympics, research into Hi-Vision began. The 1125 scanning line HDTV system proposed by Japan was recognized as an international standard in 1999.

As for satellite broadcasting, comprehensive research began in 1966 and realized a reliable satellite broadcasting system by overcoming various difficulties. The current number of households capable of receiving satellite broadcasting exceeds 14,000,000.

In the field of digital broadcasting, full-scale research on ISDB was initiated in 1983. The STRL has developed outstanding broadcasting systems including a large-capacity digital BS (broadcasting satellite) system well suited to actual circumstances in Japan, and a digital terrestrial broadcasting system capable of mobile reception. The performance of this digital terrestrial broadcasting system is especially highly reputed overseas.
Research has also been conducted on broadcasting-related devices, including extensive research on imaging tubes for television cameras. One of the accomplishment has been the New Super HARP which has 100 times greater sensitivity than an ordinary CCD camera and is capable of shooting a clear color picture even in the dark. It is widely used for emergency report broadcasting at night, in nature and science programs, etc.

Our research on displays launched PDP (Plazma Display Panel) studies in 1971. It was considered that large, thin TV displays would be the key devices for the diffusion of Hi-Vision (HDTV). A 42-inch PDP display was developed for the Nagano Olympics in 1998.

Relying on cooperation with the operational staff at broadcast stations, we are determined to further strengthen joint research and development with other broadcasting institutions and businesses in Japan and abroad, and tackle cutting-edge, creative research and development with all our abilities. We would appreciate your candid suggestions through today's addresses and panel discussions.

(* concurrently held the post of the first STRL Director-General)