Akio Torii is a researcher at the Institute of Economic Research, Chuo University, Hachiouji, Japan, and Professor Emeritus at both Chuo University and Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Japan. His extensive work includes authoring and co-editing in the fields of Industrial Organization, both Theory and Empirical, with a focus on productivity/efficiency analysis in manufacturing, energy sector analysis, utility regulation, retail/wholesale distribution sectors, logistic industries, non-life insurance industries, and dynamic macro-distribution theories. Notable recognitions include the Best Paper Award from the European Media Management Association (2016) and the Japan Society of Marketing and Distribution (2007). He has also contributed to numerous research committees for public organizations like the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Japan Fair Trade Commission, and Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry beside many other institutions.