Naoaki Yamanaka graduated from Keio University, Japan where he received B.E., M.E. and Ph.D. degrees in engineering in 1981, 1983 and 1991, respectively.

In 1983 he joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation's (NTT's) Communication Switching Laboratories, Tokyo Japan, where he was engaged in research and development of a high-speed switching system and high-speed switching technologies for Broadband ISDN services. Since 1994, he has been active in the development of ATM base backbone network and system including Tb/s electrical/optical backbone switching as NTT's Distinguished Technical Member. He is now researching future optical IP network, and optical MPLS router system. He is currently professor of Department of Information and Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University. He has published over 112 peer-reviewed journal and transaction articles, written 82 international conference papers, and been awarded 174 patents including 17 international patents.

Dr. Yamanaka received Best of Conference Awards from the 40th, 44th, and 48th IEEE Electronic Components and Technology Conference in 1990, 1994 and 1998, TELECOM System Technology Prize from the Telecommunications Advancement Foundation in 1994, IEEE CPMT Transactions Part B: Best Transactions Paper Award in 1996 and IEICE Transaction Paper award in 1999. Dr. Yamanaka is Technical Editor of IEEE Communication Magazine, Broadband Network Area Editor of IEEE Communication Surveys, Former Editor of IEICE Transaction, TAC Chair of Asia Pacific Board at IEEE Communications Society as well as Board member of IEEE CPMT Society. Dr. Yamanaka is an IEEE Fellow and member of IEICE .