Takamasa Kato has been named chairman of AFL Telecommunications LLC by its parent company, Fujikura Ltd. of Japan. He succeeds Kenny Nara. Kato joined Fujikura in 1970 after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Tohoku University. He began his career in the telecommunications technology development department, working on coaxial cable for long-haul communications and broadcasting. In 1980 Kato transitioned to sales engineering and business development, where he contributed to the Longitudinal Optical Cable Network Construction project conducted by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT). In 2000 he was promoted to division manager of the optical device division, where he expanded sales of optical components, optical devices and transmission equipment. Kato was elected to Fujikura’s board of directors in 2001 and served more than 10 years. He held numerous positions during this same time frame including senior vice president of the telecommunications division and senior vice president, executive vice president, and chief production officer of research and development. He currently serves as special adviser to Fujikura. AFL provides products and services to the electric utility, broadband, communications, factory, enterprise, wireless and transit rail markets, as well as the emerging markets of oil and gas, mining, nuclear, avionics, medical, renewables and intelligent grid. The company's product portfolio includes fiber optic cable, transmission and substation accessories, outside plant equipment, connectors, fusion splicers, and test equipment.