Press Room
Japan Prize Foundation Fact Sheet
Foundation
- November 1, 1982 - Formed as the Japan Prize Preparatory Foundation with the goal of establishing the Japan Prize.
- May 5, 1983 - Renamed Science and Technology Foundation of Japan with an added objective of raising public awareness and interest in the fields of science and technology.
- October 28, 1983 - Given the Cabinet's decision that relevant government ministries and agencies provide support for implementing the Japan Prize.
- April 1985 - Held the first prize presentation ceremony in Tokyo.
- October 1, 2010 - Authorized as a "Public Interest Incorporated Foundation" by the Cabinet Office, and renamed the Japan Prize Foundation.
Chairman
Prof. Hiroyuki Yoshikawa Dr. Eng.
Director-General, Center for Research and Development Strategy,
Japan Science and Technology Agency
President
Yoshio Yazaki, M.D., Ph.D
Chancellor, International University of Health and Welfare
Location
Ark Mori Bldg., East Wing 35th Floor
1-12-32 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6035, Japan
Tel: 81-3-5545-0551 Fax: 81-3-5545-0554
URL: www.japanprize.jp
Activities
1) Recognize outstanding achievements in science and technology with the Japan Prize.
2) Encourage the study of science and technology through research grants and promotional activities
3) Promote diffusion of knowledge and philosophy in science and technology through various activities including dissemination of information materials and research papers, and seminars.
4) Other activities to fulfill objectives of the Foundation
Main Activities:
1) Japan Prize
The Japan Prize Foundation honors individuals whose original and outstanding achievements in science and technology are recognized as having advanced the frontiers of knowledge and served the cause of peace and prosperity for mankind.
Annually, the Foundation announces its designated fields of eligibility from the two areas of the "Physics, Chemistry and Engineering" and "Life Science, Agriculture and Medicine." Nominations for the designated fields are accepted from approximately 13,000 nominators who were selected by the Foundation from among prominent intellectuals, researchers and scientists across the globe. The Japan Prize Selection Committee then reviews the nominations and selects the laureates. The new Japan Prize laureates are announced each January.
Since 1985, 78 laureates from 13 countries have received the Japan Prize. Each laureate receives a certificate of merit and a commemorative medal. A cash prize of 50 million Japanese yen (approx. US$560,000) is also awarded in each prize category.
Japan Prize laureates include Dr. Charles K. Kao (U.S.), Dr. Frank Sherwood Rowland (U.S.), Dr. Elias James Corey (U.S.), Prof. Dr. Gerhard Ertl (Germany), Dr. Arvid Carlsson (Sweden) and Dr. Luc Montagnier (France), all of whom were awarded the Nobel Prize after receiving the Japan Prize. A selection of laureates received the Japan Prize and Nobel Prize in the same year, including Dr. Kary B. Mullis (U.S.), Prof. Albert Fert (France) and Prof. Dr. Peter Grünberg (Germany), while Dr. Leo Esaki (Japan) was awarded the Japan Prize after winning the Nobel Prize.
2) "Easy-to-Understand Science and Technology" Seminars
The Foundation holds a series of public and student seminars on advanced technologies commonly used in everyday life by inviting experts, who will explain state-of-the-art technologies in plain terms. The program began in March 1989 and has since executed 229 seminars across Japan by the end of 2012.
3) Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar (SIYSS)
Each year, the Japan Prize Foundation provides an opportunity for young scholars to exchange opinions with their peers on an international level by sending two students to the Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar hosted by the Swedish Federation of Young Scientists with the support of the Nobel Foundation. Young students from Japan and elsewhere in the world attend various events during Nobel Week in Stockholm. Since the program started in 1987, the Japan Prize Foundation has provided this valuable opportunity to 50 undergraduate/graduate students.
4) Research Grants
The Foundation provides research grants to scientists and researchers under 35 years of age. Every year, the Foundation selects projects in the same fields as the corresponding Japan Prize and gives one million Japanese yen (approx. US$11,000) for a project. In 2012, 23 young scientists received the grants, making the total number of grant recipients to 121 since the program's inception in 2006.
(January 2013)