-Individual recipient of World Internet Conference Distinguished Contribution Award 

The 2025 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit opened on Nov 7 in Wuzhen, East China's Zhejiang province. 

The WIC Distinguished Contribution Award was presented at the opening ceremony. Established in 2024, the award aims to recognize individuals and enterprises worldwide that have made outstanding contributions to the development of the internet, set industry benchmarks, inspire innovation and promote the building of a more inclusive and sustainable digital world.

Jun Murai, professor at Keio University and widely known as the "father of the internet in Japan", is one of the award winners. In a video address, Murai said the honor belonged not to him alone, but to all his peers and partners who had devoted their wisdom and efforts to the advancement of the internet.

Reflecting on his academic journey, Murai noted that as early as the late 1970s, when the internet was far from widespread, he had already begun research on distributed computing system, laying a solid foundation for decades of subsequent internet technology exploration. 

He spoke in particular about his long-standing ties with China. Since the 1980s, he has engaged in exchanges and cooperation with researchers from leading Chinese universities such as Tsinghua University and with outstanding figures in China's scientific community. He said it has been a truly precious experience to participate in China's early internet infrastructure development and to witness the internet grow from its infancy to a force reshaping the global landscape.

"I have very happy memories of attending this conference three times before the pandemic. And each visit to Wuzhen enforces the sense of global community and shares the purpose that defines this event," Murai said. He described the conference as not only an important bridge connecting East and West, but also a high-level platform that brings together global wisdom and builds broad consensus.

Looking ahead to the future of the internet, Murai pointed out that it has evolved from an information network into core infrastructure of the digital age. Its role is now extending into key fields such as artificial intelligence, becoming a fundamental pillar of technological innovation, he said. 

He emphasized that the Asia-Pacific region, with its dynamism and deep reservoirs of wisdom, is well positioned to become a powerful engine for future internet development.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the proposal of the vision of building a community with a shared future in cyberspace. Despite the many challenges facing the world today, Murai said he firmly believes that "this is a moment of challenge, but more importantly, a more moment of extraordinary opportunity."

 He called on countries to strengthen their cooperation and work together to advance technological innovation, security and the sustainable development of the internet. Murai added that he is willing to continue working closely with global partners to help build an inclusive and accessible digital future, ensuring that the internet delivers greater benefits to all humanity.