Photo: 日本学士院 / CC BY 4.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Masahiro Hara has my deepest respect because he invented something the entire world now touches daily: the QR code, created in 1994. This Tokyo-born Hosei University engineer built the technology behind modern payments, ticketing, and instant information, and was honored with the 2014 European Inventor Award. What moves me most is that the code spread globally precisely because it wasn't locked behind aggressive patent enforcement. Hara never sought the spotlight, yet his work reaches into the smallest corners of everyday life. To me, that quiet, world-shaping kind of contribution is the most impressive achievement of all.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Masahiro Hara
- Name (Japanese)
- 原昌宏
- Reading
- 不明
- Born
- August 8, 1957 (age 68)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Leo / Rooster
- Origin
- Tokyo, Japan
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- engineer
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- Hosei University
Awards & achievements
- 2014 European Inventor Award
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | QR code | — |
6. Links
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8E%9F%E6%98%8C%E5%AE%8F
Frequently asked questions
When was Masahiro Hara born?
Born August 8, 1957 (age 68).
Where is Masahiro Hara from?
Masahiro Hara is from Tokyo, Japan.
What does Masahiro Hara do?
Masahiro Hara works as engineer.
What is Masahiro Hara known for?
Notable works include QR code.
Engineer — see all → · More people from Japan →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-23
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.