Japan Prize

Professor, Human and Animal-Plant Relationships, Tokyo University of Agriculture

Advisor to the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

Background and rationale:
Discoveries and inventions of new materials with unprecedented functions as well as advanced production technologies have brought about numerous technological innovations, thereby contributing greatly to the advancement of society.

Development of materials with new functions such as semiconductors, natural products, nano-materials and new catalysts, and also new production technologies such as computer-aided design and manufacturing and measuring techniques have all contributed in creating highly developed and innovative industries of today.

In order to make effective use of finite resources, protect the environment and maintain the continuous prosperity of our society, further development of materials with new functions and epoch-making production technologies have come to be indispensable.

Achievement eligible:
The 2013 Japan Prize in the field of “Materials and Production” is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to society by achieving momentous scientific and technological breakthroughs that improve the quality and safety of people’s lives by designing and developing materials with new functions, or advanced production technologies that will create new products and industries.

Background and rationale:
The existence of human being on Earth is completely dependent on the continuous and diverse use of biological resources. In recent years, however, the biological environment of our planet which fosters indispensable biological resources is deteriorating rapidly.

Despite the advent of many technological innovations that have dramatically increased our food production capacity, the human race is set to outgrow that capacity at an even greater pace.

In order to protect the precious biological environment in our global society, there is an ever growing need for development of environmental technologies for conservation of biodiversity and creation of sustainable and environmentally-conscious biological production technologies.

Achievement eligible:
The 2013 Japan Prize in the field of “Biological Production and Biological Environment” is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the welfare of society by achieving momentous scientific and technological breakthroughs in development of technologies that will measure, evaluate and respond to the effects of human activity on the environment, thereby helping to protect and conserve biodiversity and biological environment, or eradicate hunger and poverty by improving biological productivity of food and other useful materials.

Background and rationale:
In recent years, the increase in resource and energy consumption and the destruction of the natural environment caused by various human activities have reached a level that is no longer ignorable, prompting negotiations for environmental protection measures on a global scale.

A strong need has thus been reaffirmed for innovation in fundamental technologies that profoundly influences the global environment.  They include technologies for energy production and utilization, material production, water resource management, urban development, physical distribution and transportation. Particular importance lies in the promotion of energy saving across civil life and industry, exploitation of alternative energy resources and new production technology under resource and environmental constrains.  Moreover, scientific advancement and innovation in disaster mitigation and safety measures is another important target for the development of the social infrastructure.

 Achievement eligible:
The 2012 Japan Prize in the field of "Environment, Energy, and Infrastructure" is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to society by achieving momentous scientific and technological breakthroughs in creation, innovation and propagation of technologies that are related to environmental protection, energy, environmentally benign production and social infrastructure, thereby improving and protecting the global environment.

Background and rationale:
Over the past few decades, dramatic progress has been made in diagnostic accuracy of diseases and physical functions.  This has been due to the advancements of science and technology in the field of diagnostic imaging instrument, information based medical technology, and moreover, the medical diagnostic technology and biochemical-based diagnosis methods based upon the study of genetics.
In addition to the advancements in diagnosis technology, innovations in medical treatment technique including minimally invasive surgery and radiation therapy have improved the curability rate of many diseases, thereby significantly contributing to the well-being of people.  Furthermore, even greater developments are being anticipated in the field of medicine, such as diagnostic technology for early detection of diseases, epoch-making drug discovery and regenerative medicine.

With a rapidly aging population, maintaining and improving health and disease prevention has become increasingly important for the preservation of social vitality.  As a result, there are high expectations for further development and advancement of the science and technology in this field.

Achievement eligible:

The 2012 Japan Prize in the field of "Healthcare and Medical Technology" is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to society by achieving momentous scientific and technological breakthroughs in creating and promoting new technologies for medical diagnosis and treatment, and those contributing to maintenance and furtherance of our health and disease prevention.