[January 9, 2026] (Hybrid) Symposium on Radio and Optical Networks Convergence: Millimeter-wave and THz systems/ Free-space optical communication (FSO)
Building on the success of the March 2025 symposium on “Radio and Optical Networks Convergence: Expectations and Challenges in Practical Applications,” a follow-up symposium will be held in January 2026. This event will focus on two selected chapters from the Handbook of Radio and Optical Networks Convergence: “Millimeter-Wave and Terahertz Systems” and “Free-Space Optical Communication (FSO).” Leading researchers will gather once again to discuss recent developments, emerging trends, and opportunities for collaboration in these rapidly evolving fields.
In addition to invited presentations, the symposium will feature a panel discussion entitled “Challenges and Opportunities in Millimeter-Wave, Terahertz, and FSO Systems for Beyond 5G Networks.”
We look forward to welcoming participants who are eager to join the exchange of ideas and discussions exploring emerging technologies, practical applications, and collaborative opportunities that can drive innovation toward next-generation communication networks and real-world implementation beyond 5G.
Date & Time
Friday, January 9, 2026
10:30 a.m. -5:00 p.m. (JST)
Hybrid Event Details
On-Site Participation
Komatsu 100th Anniversary Hall (Conference Room), Research Innovation Center (Building 121), Waseda University, Tokyo, JAPAN
* Map & Directions: Research Innovation Center, Waseda University
Online Participation
Zoom Webinar
Participation
Participation is free of charge, but pre-registration is required
Timetable
| Start | End | Theme (Provisional) | Speaker |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:30 | 10:45 | Opening Remarks & Introduction of ASPIRE project | Tetsuya Kawanishi |
| 10:45 | 11:05 | Millimeter-wave and THz systems | Atsushi Kanno |
| 11:05 | 11:40 | Convergence of Optical and THz Technologies | Guillaume Ducournau |
| 11:40 | 12:15 | THz Nondestructive Imaging for Historical Arts | Kaori Fukunaga |
| 12:15 | 13:30 | Networking Lunch | |
| 13:30 | 14:05 | Free-space optical communication (FSO) | Paulo P. Monteiro |
| 14:05 | 14:40 | FSO related topic and ANCHOR projects | Sujan Rajbhandari |
| 14:40 | 15:15 | Optical Wireless Transmission | Tomoyuki Miyamoto |
| 15:15 | 15:45 | Coffee Break | |
| 15:45 | 16:55 | Panel Discussion “Challenges and Opportunities in Millimeter-Wave, Terahertz, and FSO Systems for Beyond 5G Networks” | Moderator: Prof. Kawanishi |
| 16:55 | 17:00 | Closing Remarks |
* The timetable is subject to change
Speakers
Chair:
Tetsuya Kawanishi (Waseda University, Japan)
Speakers:
*The listed titles are provisional and subject to change.
- Millimeter-wave and THz systems
Atsushi Kanno (Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan) - Convergence of Optical and THz Technologies
Guillaume Ducournau (Université Lille, France) - THz Nondestructive Imaging for Historical Arts
Kaori Fukunaga (Yokohama National University, Japan) - Free-space optical communication (FSO)
Paulo Miguel Nepomuceno Pereira Monteiro
(Institute of Telecommunications & University of Aveiro, Portugal) - FSO related topic and ANCHOR projects
Sujan Rajbhandari (University of Strathclyde, UK) - Optical Wireless Transmission
Tomoyuki Miyamoto (Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan)
Panel Discussion
“Challenges and Opportunities in Millimeter-Wave, Terahertz, and FSO Systems for Beyond 5G Networks”
Moderator:
Tetsuya Kawanishi (Waseda University)
Panelists:
- Thomas Kürner (Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany)
- Guillaume Ducournau (Université Lille, France)
- Paulo P. Monteiro (Institute of Telecommunications & University of Aveiro,
Portugal) - Iwao Hosako (National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Japan)
- Kaori Fukunaga (Yokohama National University, Japan)
- Atsushi Kanno (Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan)
* Speaker list is subject to change
Registration
Organizer
Institute of Radio Photonics for 6G Networks, Waseda University,
supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) under the ASPIRE Program
https://aspire.w.waseda.jp/