Born in Tokyo in 1955. He graduated with a Master of Science degree from the Department of Technology and Mathmatics, Keio University, in 1984. After working at the Information Processing Center at the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the Super Computer Center at the University of Tokyo, he became an associate professor in the Department of Environmental Information at Keio University. A magazine describes Murai as the "most wired scholar in the world." In 1984, Murai launched a computer network called Junet (Japan Unix Network) with his friends, despite nongovernmental use of the telephone network being strictly prohibited at the time. Since then, Murai has endeavored to create an infrastructure for the Internet as a new intelligence paradigm for human beings.
In all his major projects, including Junet and WIDE (Widely Integrated Distributed Environment), Murai has fought against the government dictating telecommunications, sometimes using guerilla tactics. Murai has taken an active role in creating and supporting today's Internet environment.
For example, in Japan, we only used to be able to use English programs, yet Murai developed new cultural interfaces through Unix programs that work with the Japanese language. He believes that digital technology, including computers and network systems, are supposed to assist human activities, but that humans should by no means be led by it.
In his recent book "The Internet," published by Iwanami Shinsho, Murai wrote, "Even with technological breakthroughs, humans should decide which direction
technology ought to go in. We should not rely only on technology. It can be said that technology is similar to vehicles that humans can ride in, but techonology does not show us where to go. Communications technology, in particular, is like that.
"Only after we get in the vehicle can we know how we feel and how far we can go. In this sense, the key issue in creating a new information infrastructure is not only to develop a fast, high-quality multimedia network but also to provide an environment that anybody can use anywhere. The Internet takes the role of the latter, and some parts have actually been realized in current society."
Murai has various titles. He is not only an associate professor in the Faculty of Environmental Information at Keio University, but is also a member of the Internet Architecture Board and the Internet Engineering Planning Group, a representative of the WIDE project (http://www.wide.ad.jp) -- an organization for advanced network technology -- chief of the Japan Network Information Center and vice chairman of the Japan Internet Society. He also plays the guitar like a professional and has a computer called Clapton.