Jun Murai

In 1984, Murai initiated the Japan University Network (JUNET), a computer network that originally connected the University of Tokyo, the Tokyo Institute of Technology, and Keio University using Unix-to-Unix Copy Protocol (UUCP) dial-up technology and a hierarchical domain name system. The original top-level domain name was .junet, but it was changed to .jp in 1989, and JNIC (later renamed to JPNIC) began managing the domain in 1991.^[9] The network's ability to use Japanese characters earned it popularity, and it eventually grew to encompass over 700 institutions.^[10]

In 1994, JUNET was supplanted by and incorporated into innovations by the Widely Integrated Distributed Environment (WIDE) Project, a research consortium that Murai established in 1988. The project took advantage of the newly booming TCP/IP protocols to ensure that Japan is up-to-date in the rapidly developing internet world. Murai later became the President and General Chairperson of the project.^[11]

As an internet pioneer, Murai worked to develop services and protocols independent of the Japanese government. This research direction caused some friction between Murai and the government and researchers affiliated with it. During this decade, the National Center for Science Information Systems (NACSIS, reestablished in 2000 as the National Institute of Informatics), led by Professor Asano Shoichiro of the University of Tokyo, was attempting to develop government-sanctioned protocols for university networks. However, Murai's initiative to incorporate TCP/IP, diverging from government direction, frustrated NACSIS's efforts to establish a competitive network.^[12][13]

Murai is credited with advocating for a free and independent internet culture and international cooperation. In particular, Murai was one of the first proponents of country code top-level domains.^[13]

Established in 1999, the Internet Society's Jonathan B. Postel Award was invented to honor an individual or organizations contributions to the evolving Internet. Murai was selected as the 2005 recipient of the Award, for his pivotal role in spreading the Internet across Asia-Pacific. In a statement provided by Daniel Karrenberg, the chair of the Postel award committee for 2005, credits Murai for always having "encouraged, inspired and helped others".^[14]

Murai received this award in 2007, just 5 years following the first iteration of the Information Processing Society of Japan's Forum on Information Technology. Held every year, the forum brings together the efforts of the Information Processing Society of Japan (IPSJ), and the Information and Systems Society (ISS) and the Human Communication Group (HCG) of the Institute of Electronics Information and Communication Engineers (IEICE) in a unique forum. Murai was preceded by other Japanese computer scientists, like Ken Sakamura and Takeo Kanade. Murai was recognized for his developing of the Japan University UNIX Network JUNET, a first of its kind network in Japan.

As one of the world's largest technical professional organizations, the IEEE awards many special recognitions to individuals working to further the implementation of technologies aimed at the betterment of the global community. Among these awards is the IEEE Internet Award, of which Jun Murai was a recipient in 2011. The Internet Award was specifically bestowed upon individuals who made remarkable strides in the advancement of the Internet^[15] Shortly following his receipt of the IEEE Internet Award, the Okawa Foundation for Information and Telecommunications ^[16] awarded Dr. Murai the 2011 Okawa Prize alongside Dr. Ingrid Daubechies. In the extensive description of his achievements, the Okawa Foundation references his pivotal role in the initial growth of the internet in Japan, referencing his title of "Mr. Internet".^[17]

The Internet Society founded the Internet Hall of Fame in 2012 to recognize the contributions and figures that have worked together to make the Internet what we know today. Murai was selected in 2013 to join the Internet Hall of Fame, through which he conducted a 2013 Historic Profile^[18] and his Acceptance Speech through which he communicates many of the accomplishments like JUNET and many more.

Murai was awarded the Legion of Honour medal by the French government in 2019 and included in Asian Scientist 100 by the Asian Scientist in 2021.^[19]