Noboru Karashima was a Japanese historian, writer and Professor Emeritus in University of Tokyo, Japan. He also served as Professor Emeritus at the Taisho University, Japan. He was a prominent scholar of Asia in the studies of South Indian and South Asian histories. He has rewritten historical accounts on medieval South India and published a number of writings. He was born on April 24, 1933 in Japan. Professor Karashima played a critical role in developing Indo-Japan cultural ties and was conferred the Padma Shri award in 2013, one of India's highest civilian award, for his contribution in the field of Literature and Education. In a rare gesture the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh handed over the award personally to Professor Karashima in Tokyo. He has written numerous books on South Indian History. They are Kingship in Indian history, Towards a New Formation: South Indian Society under Vijayanagar Rule, A concordance of the names in Chola inscriptions, History and society in South India and Ancient to Medieval: South Indian Society in Transition.