A disctinction for his long term contribution in the field of education and research activities

In the fall of 2016, Dr. Yoshitaka Kimura, Professor Emeritus of KEK, received the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, from Japanese Government for his long term contribution in the field of education and research activities.

In 1966, he received a Ph.D. at University of Tokyo, and started his career as Research Associate, School of Science, at University of Tokyo. From 1967 to 1968, he developed experimental facilities for nuclear physics using cryogenics and superconductive technologies as Lecturer, School of Engineering. During 1970 and 1971, Dr. Kimura was engaged in the high energy physics experiments with Proton Synchrotron at CERN.

When National Laboratory for High Energy Physics (KEK), the predecessor of High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), was established in 1971, he came to KEK as Associate Professor. Then he joined design and construction of KEK‘s 12 GeV Proton Synchrotron (KEK-PS). Above all in the machine design, construction of beam transport system, and beam development studies, he played leading role and led KEK-PS to success.