dic196 Akasaka Twin Tower East, 13th Floor, 2-17-22 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052, JAPAN Tel: +81-3-5545-0551 Fax: +81-3-5545-0554 www.japanprize.jp CONTENTS The Japan Prize for the world 1 Significance of the Prize 2 The Japan Prize Foundation 3 Main Activities of the Foundation 4 The Japan Prize 5 ■ Background of Establishment ■ Nominations and Selection Process ■ Fields Selection Committee and Selection Committee ■ Fields for the 2012 Japan Prize Selected Profiles of Japan Prize Laureates 9 Directors, Auditors and Councilors of the Foundation 25 The Japan Prize for the world President Masao Ito Science is an expression of humanity’s intellectual The Japan Prizes imply a deep acknowledgement of quest to understand nature and to clarify its mysteries, Japan’s indebtedness to the worldwide community of and technology expands the possible range of human science and technology, because Japan has been activity, providing vital support for contemporary life. benefi ted greatly from progress in many areas of science Science and technology are opening new horizons for and technology. Also, they represent Japan’s great hope humanity, and at the same time providing ways to for the future, which would not be conceivable without solve many diffi cult problems that our world is continued developments in science and technology. facing. Each year, we are honored to hold the award The Japan Prize was founded as a way of honoring ceremony and banquet in the presence of Their those who have made signifi cant contributions to the Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and progress of science and technology, and thereby to the representatives of the Three Branches of government. welfare and prosperity of all humanity. It is aimed at The Japan Prize Foundation wishes to devote every recognizing their achievements and rewarding them effort to making this a memorable opportunity for for their services from a global perspective, regardless numerous researchers to gather to honor the prize of their country of origin. Ever since the fi rst Japan winners, and to celebrate the limitless potentialities of Prize was awarded in 1985, it has been awarded to science and technology. outstanding researchers selected from the world’s science and technology community each year. －1－ Signifi cance of the Prize Chairman Hiroyuki Yoshikawa Man is a species that has used wisdom to preserve its a negative outcome on mankind, over the longer course existence. In modern times, much of that wisdom has of time it is indisputable that scientifi c and technological come to depend on knowledge derived from academic advances have brought peace and prosperity to research. Nowadays, in particular, the rapid development humanity. of scientifi c and technical knowledge owes much to the Through the pedigree record of its recipients, the endeavors of researchers and scientists. Research Japan Prize speaks of a history that combines scientifi c excellence is recognized through the award of various and technological progress and human peace and prizes, of which the Nobel Prize is one. We can say that prosperity. The Prize is not confi ned, however, to telling the pedigree record of recipients reveals, not only to only of developments slowly revealed over the passage specialists but also to the general public, a history of of time. the unique perspective that characterizes these prizes. While respecting the various ways science and This being the case, what history should the Japan technology is currently unfolding, the prize endeavours Prize reveal ? Considering that the overview of the to show history in progress based on a premise that the Japan Prize refers to making concurrent contributions role of today’s researcher is to create an overlapping to the progress of science and to human peace and history. prosperity, it should reveal a history of both scientifi c It is our sincerest wish that by reaching not just and technological progress and a resultant history of researchers but also the broader population the peace and prosperity. developments revealed will go on to ensure that science Looking back, it is simple to point out the overlapping and technology make a substantial contribution to the existence of both of these. Even if, at some point in peace and prosperity of humankind. history, some aspect of science and technology exerted －2－ The Japan Prize Foundation Objectives History Bearing in mind the fact that peace and prosperity 1982 The Japan Prize Preparatory Foundation is for mankind is the common aspiration of all people, established. the Japan Prize Foundation encourages research 1983 The Foundation is renamed to that will contribute to the development of science “The Science and Technology Foundation of Japan”. and technology, and promotes the comprehensive 1983 The establishment of the Japan Prize is endorsed spread and development of ideas and information in by the Cabinet. science and technology. 1985 The 1st Japan Prize Presentation Ceremony is held. 1987 The Foundation starts sending Japanese students Activities to the annual Stockholm International Youth The Foundation conducts the following activities Science Seminar. to accomplish its objectives: 1989 The Foundation starts hosting “Easy-to-understand Science and Technology 1) Recognize outstanding achievements in science and Seminars”. technology with the Japan Prize 2006 The Foundation starts awarding Research Grants. 2) Encourage the study of science and technology 2010 As of October 1, 2010, the Foundation through research grants and promotional activities changes its legal status to a Public Interest 3) Promote the diffusion of knowledge and philosophy Incorporated Foundation and renames itself to in science and technology through various activities “The Japan Prize Foundation”. including dissemination of information materials and research papers, and seminars 4) Other activities to fulfill the objectives of the Foundation The Japan Prize logo was designed by Mr. Yusaku Kamekura, then President of Japan Graphic Designers Association Inc. Commenting on his work, Mr. Kamekura said, “I used the image of the sun, the source of all energy for its primary design. The circles were added to represent perfection and truth.” －3－ Main Activities of the Foundation The Japan Prize Research Grants The Japan Prize Foundation honors those whose The Foundation provides research grants to scientists original and outstanding achievements in science and researchers who are under 35 years of age. Every and technology are recognized as having advanced year, the Foundation selects projects in the same fi elds as the frontiers of knowledge and served the cause of the Japan Prize and gives one million Japanese yen peace and prosperity for mankind. A Japan Prize (approx. US $ 12,000) laureate receives a Certificate of Merit and a Prize for a project. Each year, Medal. A cash prize of 50 million Japanese yen about 20 young scientists (approx. US $ 600,000) is also awarded in each receive grants. prize category. The Japan Prize Presentation Ceremony is held every April in the presence of Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of “Easy-to-understand Science Japan, with leaders from every fi eld of endeavor in and Technology Seminars” attendance. The Foundation hosts series of seminars on advanced technologies that are being used widely in our everyday lives. The seminars are designed for students and the general public, and experts in the related fi elds explain in plain language the technologies that are the focus of interest at that time. Over 200 seminars have been held across Japan since Certificate of Merit the fi rst seminar was held over 20 years ago. Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar (SIYSS) The Japan Prize Foundation sends two Japanese students to the annual Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar, which is held under the auspices of the Swedish Federation of Young Scientists and with the support of the Nobel Foundation, Since the program started in 1987, Prize Medal some 50 students from Japan have participated in this event. －4－ The Japan Prize Background of Establishment Lifelong Ambition The Japan Prize Preparatory Foundation was established on November 1, 1982, with the approval Peace and prosperity for mankind have been of the Prime Minister, for the purpose of establishing my lifelong desires. I am extremely pleased, the Japan Prize as a prestigious international award in therefore, that the Japan Prize has been the fields of science and technology. established with the specific goal of making The creation of the Japan Prize was motivated by some contribution on behalf of Japan to the the desire to “express Japan’s gratitude to international development of international society. society.” This plan was advocated in 1981 by Mr. Taro The progress of modern science and technology Nakayama, the then Director General, the Prime has been phenomenal. It is not overstating its Minister’s Office of the Suzuki Cabinet, and supported role to say that we owe the civilization we enjoy with the fund donated by the late Mr. Konosuke today to this very progress. Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic Corporation. On the other hand, there are still many global problems which remain to be solved, and the The Government issued the following cabinet necessity to seek the counsel of many people is endorsement on the establishment of the Japan Prize greater than ever before. on October 28 of the same year. Under such circumstances, it is appropriate that Japan, in consultation with the international community, honors, those who have produced Establishment of the Japan Prize outstanding achievements in the fields of science and technology. The official position of the Japanese It is my sincere hope that the Japan Prize Government is that the Japan Prize, to be achieves the recognition it deserves. bestowed by the Science and Technology Foundation of Japan*, will serve to deepen the understanding of the role played by science and technology in furthering world peace and prosperity, thereby making a vital contribution to the positive development of mankind.