The 2006 Laureates / Basic Sciences Category / Mathematical Sciences
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Hirotugu Akaike

Japan / November 5, 1927 - 2009
Statistical Mathematician; Professor Emeritus, The Institute of Statistical Mathematics

"Major contribution to statistical science and modeling with the development of the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC)"
In the early 1970's, Dr. Hirotugu Akaike formulated the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), a new practical, yet versatile criterion for the selection of statistical models, based on basic concepts of information mathematics. This criterion established a new paradigm that bridged the world of data and the world of modeling, thus contributing greatly to the information and statistical sciences.

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY
1927
Born in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka
1952
University of Tokyo, BA (Mathematics)
1952
Researcher, The Institute of Statistical Mathematics
1961
University of Tokyo, PhD
1962-1973
Head of 2nd Section, 1st Division, The Institute of Statistical Mathematics
1973-1985
Director of 5th Division, The Institute of Statistical Mathematics
1985-1986
Head of Department of Prediction and Control, The Institute of Statistical Mathematics
1986-1994
Director General, The Institute of Statistical Mathematics
Member, Science Council of Japan (1988-1991)
Professor, Department of Statistical Science, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (1988-1994)
1994
Emeritus Professor, The Institute of Statistical Mathematics
1994
Emeritus Professor, Graduate University for Advanced Studies

SELECTED AWARDS AND HONORS
1972
Ishikawa Prize, Union of Japanease Scientists and Engineers
1980
Okochi Memorial Technology Prize, Okochi Memorial Foundation
1989
1988 Asahi Prize, The Asahi Shimbun
1989
Purple Ribbon Medal (Japan)
1996
Japan Statistical Society Prize, Japan Statistical Society

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
1969
Fitting autoregressive models for prediction, Ann.Inst.Statist.Math. 21: 243-247
1970
Statistical prediction identification, Ann.Inst.Statist.Math. 22: 203-217
1973
Information theory and an extension of the maximum likelihood principle, Proc.2nd International Symposium on Information Theory, Petrov, B. N. and Csaki, F.eds., Akademiai Kiado, Budapest, 267-281
1974
A new look at the statistical model identification, IEEE Trans. Automat. Control. 19:716 - 723
1977
On entropy maximization principle, in Applications of Statistics, Krishnaiah, P. R. ed., North-Holland Publishing Company, 27-41