Dr. Kenichi Iga's Revolutionary Laser Innovation Honored with Honda Prize

Dr. Kenichi Iga received the Honda Prize for his pioneering work on the Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL). The ceremony highlighted the laser's critical role in modern technology, influencing fields like data communication and facial recognition. Dr. Iga shared insights from his journey into electronics, starting in Hiroshima.

The Honda Foundation awarded Dr. Kenichi Iga the prestigious Honda Prize for his groundbreaking development of the Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) in a ceremony held in Tokyo on November 17, 2025.

Hiroto Ishida, President of the Honda Foundation, praised Dr. Iga for his innovation, noting the VCSEL's integral role in high-speed data communication and facial recognition technology, underscoring its widespread societal impact.

In his commemorative lecture, Dr. Iga recounted his early fascination with electronics in Hiroshima and his academic journey supported by a scholarship, ultimately leading to his significant contributions to the field of laser technology.

(With inputs from agencies.)