*** For immediate use October 17, 2014

Tokyo, October 17, 2014 - The NEC C&C Foundation today announced that the 2014 C&C Prize will be awarded to two groups. Professor Shigeo Tsujii and Dr. Hideki Imai will represent Group A and Dr. Jan Uddenfeldt, Dr. Irwin Mark Jacobs and Professor Fumiyuki Adachi will represent Group B. Each recipient will be recognized with a certificate of merit and a plaque. Each group will also receive a cash award of ten million yen.

The C&C Prize was established in 1985 and is awarded to distinguished persons in recognition of outstanding contributions to R&D activities and pioneering work related to the integration of computers and communications technologies and the social impact of developments in these fields. This year's two recipient groups are outlined below.

The prize ceremony and acceptance speeches will be held on Wednesday, November 26 from 15:00 at the ANA InterContinental Tokyo.

1. 2014 C&C Prize Recipients Group A
Professor Shigeo Tsujii
Professor, Research and Development Initiatives, Chuo University
Professor Emeritus, Tokyo Institute of Technology
Professor Emeritus, Institute of Information Security
Dr. Hideki Imai
Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo


Citation
For Pioneering Research on Information Security and for Major Contributions to both Industry and Human-resources Development by Building Communities of Academics, Industrialists, and/or Government Officials

Achievement
In accordance with the advances in information systems and the Internet, the importance of information security for the protection of information assets from various threats has been increasing very rapidly. However, such security will not be achieved only with the evolution and advances of related technology. Instead, a comprehensive approach is essential, including sophisticated application and use of protection measures by people who have a good understanding of information security.

Prof. Tsujii and Dr. Imai noticed the importance of the field from the initial research stage, and they are known as pioneers of numerous applications of cryptographic research and work aimed at post-quantum computers. Moreover, they contributed significantly to the development of human resources and research areas through the promotion of information security for science through community-building activities and work for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). As a result, they are being recognized with the 2014 C&C Prize.

Group B
Dr. Jan Uddenfeldt
Former CTO, Ericsson and Sony Mobile Communications
Dr. Irwin Mark Jacobs
Founding Chairman and CEO Emeritus, Qualcomm
Professor Fumiyuki Adachi
Professor, Tohoku University


Citation
For Outstanding Leadership and Contributions Promoting the Development and Commercialization of Digital Mobile Communications Systems

Achievement
First-generation (1G) mobile communications services focusing on car phones started around 1980. Aiming at reducing system cost and introducing new Internet-related services, second-generation (2G) digital system appeared in 1990s and spread widely to the general public. In the 2000s, third-generation (3G) digital systems enabled high-speed and advanced data communication services such as multimedia communications. As a result of these advances in mobile communications technology and services, utilizations of services have been explosively growing and are currently an indispensable part of social infrastructure around the world.

Dr. Uddenfeldt, Dr. Jacobs, and Professor Adachi played very important roles in developing and standardizing mobile communications system technologies. This established the foundation for the prosperity of today's digital mobile communications services. These three recipients have therefore had outstanding achievements and shown remarkable leadership as representatives of each of their regions (Europe, North America, and Asia, respectively). Moreover, they have made these contributions to multiple generations of technologies, including GSM, CDMA and W-CDMA. Their leadership and contributions, however, are not limited to each region, but are global. As a result, they are being recognized with the 2014 C&C Prize.

See the attachments for profiles of the recipients:
Attachment 1: Profile of Group A Recipients of the 2014 C&C Prize
Attachment 2: Profile of Group B Recipients of the 2014 C&C Prize

***





About the NEC C&C Foundation
The NEC C&C Foundation is a non-profit organization established in March 1985 to foster further growth in the electronics industry by encouraging and supporting research and development activities and pioneering work related to the integration of computers and communications technologies, that is, C&C, and ultimately to contribute to the world economy and the enrichment of human life. The Foundation is funded by NEC Corporation.

The Foundation currently has two main activities. It presents the annual C&C Prizes to recognize outstanding contributions to R&D activities and pioneering work in the area of C&C. Candidates are recommended from all over the world. Each prize winner receives a certificate, a plaque, and a cash award (ten million yen per group). As of 2014, 100 prominent persons had received the prize. In addition, an Outstanding Paper Award for Young C&C Researchers is awarded annually to outstanding paper(s) presented at an international conference overseas with the support of a grant from the Foundation. Each recipient is given a cash award of 200,000 yen.

The Foundation also gives the following two grants: (1) grant to enable researchers in Japan to attend international conferences overseas to make presentations in the field of C&C and (2) grant to non-Japanese researchers in Japan.

For additional information, please visit the NEC C&C Foundation website at: http://www.candc.or.jp/

About NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. By providing a combination of products and solutions that cross utilize the company's experience and global resources, NEC's advanced technologies meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers. NEC brings more than 100 years of expertise in technological innovation to empower people, businesses and society.  For more information, visit NEC at http://www.nec.com.

Based on its Mid-term Management Plan 2015, the NEC Group globally provides "Solutions for Society" that promote the safety, security, efficiency and equality of society. NEC's brand message of "Orchestrating a brighter world" represents the fusion of advanced information and communication technologies and know-how created in coordination with partners and customers all over the world in order to contribute to the betterment of society and realize a brighter and more prosperous future.

NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Other product or service marks mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. (C)2014 NEC Corporation.

distributed by