1980: B.S. Faculty of Engineering, Chiba University　
1982: M.S. Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University
1987: Ph.D.Tokyo Institute of Technology
1982-1987: Research Fellow at Sagami Chemical Research Center
1988-1991: Assistant Professor at Faculty of Engineering, Chiba University　
1991-1994: Lecture at the same university
1994-1997: Associate Professor at the same university
1997-1999: Associate Professor at Institute of Molecular Science　　
1999-2002: Professor at Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University
2002-present: Professor at School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

1997-present: Project Leader of CREST, Japan Science and Technology Corporation(JST)

1994: Progress Award in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Japan
2000: Division Award of Chemical Society of Japan (Organic Chemistry)
2001: Tokyo Techno Forum 21 Gold Medal
2001: Japan IBM Award
2003: Nagoya Silver Medal
2003: Earl L. Muetterties Memorial Lecturers
2004: Izatt-Christensen Award
2006: G.W.Wheland Award (Chicago University Lectureship Award)
2007: Honorary Professor at Renmin University (China)

Weak interactions induce the spontaneous organization of various biological structures. Such an elegant mechanism in nature has prompted us to design a nd establish self-assembling molecular systems. Thus, we have been showing that well-designed molecules are spontaneously organized into functional mol ecular systems.

----------------------------------------

1. Self-assembling molecular systems utilizing transition metals: The simple combination of transition metal geometry with well-designed bridging ligands gives rise to the quantitative self-assembly of nano-sized, discrete organic frameworks. Representative examples include square molecules, linked-ring m olecules, cages, capsules, and tubes that are self-assembled from simple and small components.

2. Chemistry of isolated nano-space: The metal-directed self-assembly of nan o-meter sized frameworks gives us an opportunity to develop the chemistry of "isolated nano-space". For example, stabilization of labile molecules, spec ific chemical transformations, and the synthesis of labile molecules have be en achieved within the cavities of the self-assembled cages and capsules.

3. Coordination polymers: The metal-directed self-assembly has been also appl ied to the preparation of non-covalent polymers with well-defined structures and interesting properties.