Press Room

Japan Prize Foundation Fact Sheet

Foundation:

November 1, 1982- The Japan Prize Preparatory Foundation is launched with the goal of establishing the Japan Prize.
May 5, 1983 – The Foundation is renamed the Science and Technology Foundation of Japan and its mandate is expanded to include not only the awarding of the Japan Prize, but also the raising of public awareness and interest in the fields of science and technology.
October 28, 1983 - Cabinet gives its approval for related government agencies to support the implementation of the Japan Prize.
April 1985 - The first prize presentation ceremony is held in Tokyo.
October 1, 2010 – The Prime Minister of Japan authorizes the Japan Prize Foundation’s certification as a “Public Interest Incorporated Foundation.”

Chairman:

Yoshio Yazaki
Chairman of the Board of Regents, Tokyo Medical University

President:

Hiroshi Komiyama
Chairman of the Institute, Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.
Former (28th) President of the University of Tokyo

Address:

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
Website: www.japanprize.jp

Operations of the Japan Prize Foundation :

Recognize and honor outstanding achievements in science and technology with the Japan Prize.
Encourage the study of science and technology through research grants and promotional activities.
Promote the diffusion of knowledge and philosophy of science and technology through activities that include the dissemination of informative materials, research papers, and seminars.
Other activities that fulfill the objectives of the Foundation.

Main Activities:

1) The 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. Every year, the Foundation chooses two fields that will eligible for the prize two years hence, from two areas: one from Physics, Chemistry, Informatics, and Engineering and one from Life Science, Agriculture, Medicine, and Pharmacy. After almost ten months of fair, careful evaluation, the Foundation selects the winners – in principle, one per field. The candidates are nominated by approximately 15,500 nominators from around the world – all prominent intellectuals, researchers, and scientists selected by the Foundation – and candidates are assessed not only for their academic contributions but also for how their research contributes to society. The Foundation’s Board of Directors makes the final decision on the candidates. New Japan Prize laureates are announced every January. Between 1985 and 2024, 111 laureates from 14 countries have received the Japan Prize, 23 of whom were Japanese. Each laureate receives a certificate of merit, a commemorative medal, and a cash prize. 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), Dr. Luc Montagnier (France), Dr. Akira Yoshino (Japan), Prof. Emmanuelle Charpentier (France), and Dr. Jennifer A. Doudna (U.S.). They also include Dr. Svante Pääbo (Sweden), Prof. Katalin Karikó(Hungary/U.S.), and Prof. Drew Weissman(U.S.), who were awarded the Nobel Prize after receiving the Japan Prize. Dr. Kary B. Mullis (U.S.), Prof. Albert Fert (France), and Prof. Dr. Peter Grünberg (Germany) were all awarded the Japan Prize and Nobel Prize in the same year, and 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 various seminars for students and other members of the public. These seminars are conducted by experts who use plain language to explain the advanced technologies commonly used in everyday life. 　 More than 300 seminars have been held since the program was launched in March 1989.
3) Heisei Memorial Research Grants	The Heisei Memorial Research Grant Program is named after Their Majesties the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita, who have been interested in the research activities of young scientists and have encouraged them for many years. 　The Foundation primarily provides research grants to scientists under 45 years of age. The Foundation annually selects four to eight scientists engaged in research that transcends the boundaries between different fields and disciplines and contributes to solving social issues. They are then provided with grants worth five to ten million yen. 　The Heisei Memorial Research Grant was established as a means of expressing our profound appreciation to their Majesties the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita for their great generosity in granting this award. (Applicants must belong to a research organization in Japan to be eligible for a grant.)

1) The 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.

Every year, the Foundation chooses two fields that will eligible for the prize two years hence, from two areas: one from Physics, Chemistry, Informatics, and Engineering and one from Life Science, Agriculture, Medicine, and Pharmacy. After almost ten months of fair, careful evaluation, the Foundation selects the winners – in principle, one per field. The candidates are nominated by approximately 15,500 nominators from around the world – all prominent intellectuals, researchers, and scientists selected by the Foundation – and candidates are assessed not only for their academic contributions but also for how their research contributes to society. The Foundation’s Board of Directors makes the final decision on the candidates. New Japan Prize laureates are announced every January.

Between 1985 and 2024, 111 laureates from 14 countries have received the Japan Prize, 23 of whom were Japanese. Each laureate receives a certificate of merit, a commemorative medal, and a cash prize.

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), Dr. Luc Montagnier (France), Dr. Akira Yoshino (Japan), Prof. Emmanuelle Charpentier (France), and Dr. Jennifer A. Doudna (U.S.). They also include Dr. Svante Pääbo (Sweden), Prof. Katalin Karikó(Hungary/U.S.), and Prof. Drew Weissman(U.S.), who were awarded the Nobel Prize after receiving the Japan Prize. Dr. Kary B. Mullis (U.S.), Prof. Albert Fert (France), and Prof. Dr. Peter Grünberg (Germany) were all awarded the Japan Prize and Nobel Prize in the same year, and 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 various seminars for students and other members of the public. These seminars are conducted by experts who use plain language to explain the advanced technologies commonly used in everyday life. 　
More than 300 seminars have been held since the program was launched in March 1989.

3) Heisei Memorial Research Grants

　The Heisei Memorial Research Grant Program is named after Their Majesties the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita, who have been interested in the research activities of young scientists and have encouraged them for many years.
　The Foundation primarily provides research grants to scientists under 45 years of age. The Foundation annually selects four to eight scientists engaged in research that transcends the boundaries between different fields and disciplines and contributes to solving social issues. They are then provided with grants worth five to ten million yen.
　The Heisei Memorial Research Grant was established as a means of expressing our profound appreciation to their Majesties the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita for their great generosity in granting this award.
(Applicants must belong to a research organization in Japan to be eligible for a grant.)

(January 2024)