Junichi Tsukahara
Born in 1940 in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Tsukahara spent his childhood in Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture.
After graduating from the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, at Tokyo University of Education (now the University of Tsukuba), he engaged in research and development at Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd. (now Toshiba). He served as a manager in technology, manufacturing, and research divisions, later being stationed in both East and West Germany for plant exports to the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). He also served as President of Thai Toshiba Lighting Co., Ltd. during his assignment in Thailand.
Upon returning to Japan, he became President of Harrison Electric Co., Ltd. and later Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation, where he established and managed subsidiaries in the United States, the United Kingdom, and China.
He has held leadership positions as Chairman of the Theatre Engineering and Technology Association, the Japan Luminaires Association, and the Japan Electric Lamp Manufacturers Association. As Chairman of the International Activities Committee of the Illuminating Engineering Institute of Japan, he launched and served as Organizing Committee Chair of the “Japan-China-Korea Lighting Conference” (now the Asia Lighting Conference).
In addition, Tsukahara has long been affiliated with the Japan Academy for Integrated Human Sciences. He is an Honorary Member of the Illuminating Engineering Institute of Japan and a member of the GNH (Gross National Happiness) Society, the GNH Research Institute, and the Japan-Bhutan Friendship Association. He has also been involved in the World Federalist Movement and deepened ties with UPI (United Peace International), contributing to the movement for the creation of a World Federation. During this time, he founded and served as Head of the “Leadership Training School for Future Leaders,” nurturing younger generations.
He has also traveled widely across Western and Eastern Europe, the Middle East (Israel, Egypt, Turkey), South Asia (India, Nepal, Bhutan), Southeast Asia, and Northeast Asia, experiencing firsthand the diverse climates, traditions, and religious cultures of each region.