Symposium Report: “Radio and Optical Networks Convergence: Millimeter-wave and THz systems/ Free-space optical communication (FSO)”
Overview
Date: Friday, January 9, 2026
Venue: (On-saite) Komatsu 100th Anniversary Hall, Research Innovation Center (Building 121), Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
Format: Hybrid (On-site and Zoom Webinar)
Organizer: Institute of Radio Photonics for 6G Networks, Waseda University
The symposium “Convergence of Wireless and Optical Networks: Millimeter-wave and Terahertz (THz) Systems / Free-Space Optical Communications (FSO) was held at Waseda University on Friday, January 9, 2026.
As the second edition of a successful event held in March of the previous year, the symposium centered its focus on “Millimeter-wave/Terahertz systems” and “Free-Space Optical Communications (FSO).” The event brought together leading researchers to engage in deep discussions regarding the latest trends, emerging developments, and opportunities for collaboration in these rapidly evolving sectors.
Program
At this symposium, the following researchers gave presentations on the latest cutting-edge research findings in their respective fields.
Fiber–Wireless Optical Convergence Challenges and Opportunities
(Institute of Telecommunications & University of Aveiro, Portugal)
Deep-ultraviolet optical wireless communication for terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks
Sujan Rajbhandari (University of Strathclyde, UK)
Recent Advances in Optical Wireless Power Transmission and Its Applications
Tomoyuki Miyamoto (Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan)
Millimeter-wave and THz systems
Atsushi Kanno (Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan)
National Project on Future Networks Related to THz coms Developmentsrgence of Optical and THz Technologies
Guillaume Ducournau (Université Lille, France)
RF-Net: The French network of academic radio-frequency testing platforms
Etienne Okada (Université Lille, France)
Terahertz nondestructive imaging for historical artwork
Kaori Fukunaga (Yokohama National University, Japan)
Panel Discussion
During the panel discussion, titled “Challenges and Potential of mmWave, Terahertz, and FSO Systems for Next-Generation Communications Beyond 5G,” the panelists shared their unique perspectives and engaged in an insightful exchange of knowledge.
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)
