Japan Prize Laureates

Laureates of the Japan Prize

Year Field Photo Name (b.-d.) Achievements
[Nationality]Affiliation (Titles at the time)
1999
Lectures
Information Technologies Photo

Dr. W. Wesley Peterson (1924-2009)

Establishment of coding theory for reliable digital communication, broadcasting and storage
[USA] Professor of Information and Computer Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Molecular Recognition and Dynamics in Bioscience Photo

Dr. Jack L. Strominger (1925-)

Elucidation of the three-dimensional structures of class I and class II human histocompatibility antigens and their bound peptides
[USA] Higgins Professor of Biochmistry, Harvard University
Photo

Dr. Don C. Wiley (1944-2001)

[USA] John L. Loeb Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Harvard University
1998
Lectures
Generation and Design of New Materials Creating Novel Functions Photo

Dr. Leo Esaki (1925-)

For the creation and realization of the concept of man-made superlattice crystals which lead to generation of new materials with useful applications
[Japan] Former President, University of Tsukuba
Biotechnology in Agricultural Sciences Photo

Prof. Dr. Jozef S. Schell (1935-2003)

Establishment of the theory and method of the production of transgenic plants
[Belgium] Director, Department of Genetic Principles of Plant Breeding, Max-Planck-Institute für Züechtungsforschung, Germany
Photo

Dr. Marc C.E. Van Montagu (1933-)

[Belgium] Professor, Department of Genetics, University of Ghent, Belguim
1997
Lectures
Systems Engineering for an Artifactual Environment Photo

Dr. Joseph F. Engelberger (1925-2015)

Establishment of the robot industry and creation of a techno-global paradigm
[USA] Chairman and Director, HelpMate Robotics Inc.
Photo

Dr. Hiroyuki Yoshikawa (1933-)

[Japan] Former President, The University of Tokyo
Biotechnology in Medicine Photo

Dr. Takashi Sugimura (1926-2020)

Contribution to establishment of fundamental concept on causes of cancer
[Japan] President Emeritus of National Cancer Center
President of Toho University
Photo

Dr. Bruce N. Ames (1928-)

[USA] Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of California, Berkeley
1996
Lectures
Information, Computer and Communication Systems Photo

Dr. Charles K. Kao (1933-2018)

For pioneering research on wideband, low-loss optical fiber communications
[USA] Vice-Chancellor and President, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Neuroscience Photo

Dr. Masao Ito (1928-2018)

Elucidation of the functional principles and neural mechanisms of the cerebellum
[Japan] Director-General, Frontier Research Program, The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
President, Science Council of Japan
1995
Lectures
Materials Processing Technologies Photo

Dr. Nick Holonyak, Jr. (1928-2022)

Outstanding contributions to research and practical applications of light emitting diodes and lasers through pioneering achievements in the understanding of physical principles and in the process technology of intermetallic compound semiconductors
[USA] Professor, Center for Advanced Study, John Bardeen Chair Professor, University of Illinois
Science and Technology for Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery which conserves the Environment Photo

Dr. Edward F. Knipling (1909-2000)

Pioneer contributions in the development of integrated pest management by the sterile insect release method and other biological approaches
[USA] Retired Director, Entomology Research Division, Agricultural Research Service
1994
Lectures
Aerospace Technologies Photo

Dr. William Hayward Pickering (1910-2004)

Inspirational leadership in unmanned lunar and planetary exploration, and for pioneering achievements in the development of spacecraft and deep space communications
[USA] Professor Emeritus of the California Institute of Technology
Psychology and Psychiatry Photo

Dr. Arvid Carlsson (1923-2018)

Discovery of dopamine as a neurotransmitter and clarification of its role in mental and motor functions and their disorders
[Sweden] Professor Emeritus, Gothenburg University
1993
Lectures
Safety Engineering and Disaster Mitigation Photo

Dr. Frank Press (1924-2020)

Development of modern seismology and advancement of international cooperation in disaster science
[USA] President of U.S. National Academy of Sciences
Molecular and Cellular Technology in Medicine Photo

Dr. Kary B. Mullis (1944-2019)

Development of the polymerase chain reaction
[USA] Founder and Vice President Research, Atomic Tags, Inc.
1992
Lectures
Science and Technology of Material Interfaces Photo

Prof. Dr. Gerhard Ertl (1936-)

Contributions to the new development of the chemistry and physics of solid surfaces
[Germany] Director of Fritz-Haber Institute of Max Planck Society
Honorary Professor at the Free University Berlin and at the Technical University Berlin
Science and Technology for Biological Production Photo

Prof. Ernest John Christopher Polge (1926-2006)

Discovery of method of the cryopreservation of semen and embryos in farm animals
[UK] The Scientific Director of Animal Biotechnology Cambridge Ltd.
1991
Lectures
Applied Mathematics Photo

Dr. Jacques-Louis Lions (1928-2001)

Contributions to analysis and control of distributed systems, and to promotion of applied analysis
[France] The Chairman of Analysis and Systems Control at the Collège de France
The President of National Center of Space Studies
Imaging Techniques in Medicine Photo

Dr. John Julian Wild (1914-2009)

Development of ultrasound imaging in medicine
[USA] M.D., Ph.D., FAIUM, Head, Physicomedical Institute, Minneapolis
1990
Lectures
Technology of Integration- Design, Production and Control Technologies Photo

Dr. Marvin Minsky (1927-2016)

Establishment of an academic field named Artificial Intelligence and the proposal of fundamental theories in that field
[USA] Professor of Electrical Engineering, MIT
Earth Science Photo

Dr. William Jason Morgan (1935-2023)

Initiation of the theory of plate tectonics and contributions to its development
[USA] Professor at Princeton University
Photo

Dr. Dan Peter McKenzie (1942-)

[UK] Professor at Cambridge University
Photo

Dr. Xavier Le Pichon (1937-)

[France] Directeur du Départment de Géologie, Ecole Normale Supérieure
Page Top