Notices

Prof. Osamu Kusakabe, Executive Director of the International Press-in Association (IPA) and Professor Emeritus of Tokyo Institute of Technology, has been named a recipient of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon in the 2026 Autumn Conferment of Decorations by the Government of Japan.

Prof. Kusakabe has served as a Board Member since the establishment of IPA in 2007. He led the Association as its second President from 2016 to 2020 and has served as Executive Director since 2020, contributing to the management of the Association and the advancement of press-in engineering.

He has also held key positions in academic and professional organizations in Japan and internationally, including President of the Japanese Geotechnical Society (JGS), Vice President of the Japan Society of Civil Engineers (JSCE), and founding Secretary General and Chair of the Asian Civil Engineering Coordinating Council (ACECC). He has also served as an Associate Member of the Science Council of Japan, contributing to efforts to connect academic knowledge with society.

In the fields of education and research, Prof. Kusakabe served as Professor at Hiroshima University and Tokyo Institute of Technology, President of the National Institute of Technology, Ibaraki College, Senior Professor at the University of Tsukuba, and Specially Appointed Professor at Nagaoka University of Technology. He has published numerous academic papers and been involved in the writing and editing of academic and technical publications in geotechnical and foundation engineering as well as press-in engineering, making significant contributions to academic advancement, education, and the international dissemination of research achievements.

This decoration recognizes Prof. Kusakabe’s long-standing contributions to education, research, and the academic community. It is a great honor and a source of pride for IPA. We extend our deepest respect and heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Kusakabe on this distinguished honor and are pleased to share this news.

 
Secretariat
International Press-in Association