Akira Yabe received B.Sci. in Physics from Tokyo University in 1978. He worked for Fuji Photo Optical (1978-2003). He is a lens design consultant (2004-). His experience of lens design ranges from the cinematography zoom lens to the microlithography lens. He works with his own lens design code. He has unique methods of the optical design, such as prototyping of zoom lenses, global optimization, optimal selection of aspheric surfaces, accurate glass model and cost control, sensitivity control, and determination of tolerances.