HAPSMobile Appoints Directors

HAPSMobile have appointed new directors, Jun Murai and Hidebumi Kitahara.

Jun Murai became a Professor at Keio University’s Faculty of Environment and Information Studies in April 1997 and is widely known as the “Father of the Internet in Japan.” In 2013, Murai was inducted to the Internet Hall of Fame, a recognition program administered by the Internet Society (ISOC), an international organization that promotes the development and use of the Internet. Murai also served as an External Director at SoftBank Corp. (currently SoftBank Group Corp.) from June 1999 to June 2011.

Jun Murai commented as follows:

“HAPSMobile is undertaking a major challenge to establish a completely new lifeline that makes Internet connectivity ubiquitous, even in fields, mountains and oceans. I’ll fully utilize my experience and insights to contribute to this mission.”

Hidebumi Kitahara joined SoftBank BB Corp. (currently SoftBank Corp.) in January 2005. His main responsibilities included telecommunication networks and other technical fields, and in January 2015 he was transferred to Sprint Corporation. In April 2018, at SoftBank Corp. he became Head of the Global Business Strategy Division in the Technology Unit. In addition to telecommunication networks, Kitahara oversees strategic planning for IoT, global businesses and other areas. Kitahara is serving his SoftBank Corp. and HAPS Mobile posts concurrently.

Hidebumi Kitahara commented as follows:

“It is said that approximately half the world’s population has yet to access the Internet. Using my background in telecommunications, IoT and global businesses, I’ll work to close the digital divide and build the foundation for an equal, information-based society through the utilization of HAPS.”