Principal, Asia Network Research Sdn. Bhd. Secretary General, Asia & Pacific Internet Association (APIA) Senior Research Fellow, GLOCOM, International University of Japan
Manager, Research & Planning, Institute for HyperNetwork Society
Born in 1952, Mr. Aizu joined printing industry in 1971 after graduating from high school. In 1976, he moved into international advertising, marketing and public relations business. After spending a few years in the technical communications field, he encountered with the emerging personal computer networking in the United States. In 1986, he co-founded Institute for Networking Design in Tokyo, a think-tank specializing computer conferencing and served as secretary general of Networking Forum, annual national conference on PC networking in Japan from 1987 to 1992.
In 1991, he joined GLOCOM (Center for Global Communications), at the International University of Japan. After attending INET 92 in Kobe, he started to study and promote Internet in Japan, giving strategic advises to IT and media industries, national and local government agencies, and worked on policy and strategic issues in global context with strong focus on Asia. In 1993, he co-founded Institute for Hyper Network Society (IHNS) whose main office is in Oita, a local city in Kyushu Island, and actively involved in community networking with grassroots citizens.
In 1997, he moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and found Asia Network Research, an independent research unit dedicated to promote networking in Asia-Pacific, focusing on societal aspects of Internet. In June 1998, he was appointed as Secretary General of Asia & Pacific Internet Association, a trade association representing Internet business community of the region.
Mr. Aizu is a member of Internet Society. He is interested in making proper use of online communication, forming global culture through The Net, linking people to people through heart-to-heart communications in the cyberspace and in the real world. He is married and has four daughters.
His publications in English include: “Co-emulation: The Case for a Global Hyper Network Society” Shumpei Kumon and Izumi Aizu, a chapter in “Global Networks”, Linda Harasim ed, MIT PRESS 1994 “Not problems, opportunities”, An interview with NTT President Masashi Kojim a. WIRED , Dec. 1994
“The Emergence of Netizens: The Cultural Impact of Network Evolution in Japan” NIRA Review, Fall 1995.
His books in Japanese include: “The Report on Personal Computer Networking in US” (1985) “PC Network Revolution” (1986) “Evolutionary Network” (1994)
“Easy Steps to Internet Business” (1996) (all in Japanese Language only.
His translation works from English in to Japanese include: “Groupware” by Robert Johansen (1986) “Odyssey” by John Sculley (1988) “Networld” by Albert Bressand(1991)
“Virtual Community” by Howard Rheingold. (1995)