Fields Eligible for the 2016 Japan Prize

Message from the laureate

ARK Mori Building, East Wing 35th Floor, 1-12-32
Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-6035, JAPAN
Tel: +81-3-5545-0551 Fax: +81-3-5545-0554

No. 54

May 2015

Contribution to development ofinnovative concept on river basin
management and reduction ofwater-related disasters

www.japanprize.jp
It is truly an honor to stand before Your Majesties the Emperor andI would like to extend my thanks to the rich and diverse Japanese

Empress of Japan, distinguished guests, and representatives from various

rivers, which have fostered my vision of nature over the years, as well as

fields to receive the internationally recognized Japan Prize.

to the Japanese homeland that nurtured them.
Due to the nature of my research, my findings do not receive muchengineering by conducting fieldworks on numerous floods andpublic exposure, and may seem esoteric to the general public. Therefore,water-related disasters each year. I’ve also had the privilege ofI am truly grateful to the members of the Japan Prize Foundation and theresearching rivers and water-related disasters not only in Japan but also

Selection Committee for acknowledging such a difficult subject.

From these research studies, I’ve come to the conclusion that, in orderto promote river improvement policies and water resource development
and conservation, one must take a comprehensive approach that takes

Finally, I would like to express my best wishes to the Japan Prize
Foundation and hope it will continue to recognize innovative researchachievements into the future.

Discoveries and inventions of new materials with nonconventional functionality and characteristics as well as of advanced production
technologies have brought about numerous technological innovations, thereby contributing greatly to the advancement of society.
For instance, we have designed and successfully synthesized artificial materials with new functions, such as semiconductors, polymers,
nano-materials, and catalysts, and discovered new natural products. We have also developed new fields of industrial engineering such as
design and manufacturing technologies supported by high-performance computers, precision measurement techniques, and robotics that
contribute to the efficiency of production process.
In order to make effective use of finite resources and build a sustainable society for the future, a new paradigm for the development ofmaterials with new functions and groundbreaking technologies for industrial design, production and operation are necessary.

Achievement eligible:

Thank you.

into account the entire river basin, including the upstream source, theMaterials and Production

Background and rationale:

Since I was a student in my twenties, I have been studying riveraround the world, including in China, Europe and the Middle East.

Area ofPhysics, Chemistry and Engineering

Yutaka Takahasi

middle reaches, and the river mouth.

The 2016 Japan Prize in the fields of “Materials and Production” will be 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 while
ensuring the sustainability of society by designing and developing materials with new functions, or by advancing the technologies forindustrial design, production and operation, that will create new products, services and industries.
Area of
Life Science, Agriculture and Medicine

2015 (31st) Japan Prize Presentation CeremonyAwards were presented to three laureates from the U.S., France and Japanin the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress

Your Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, honored
guests and ladies and gentlemen.
It is with the deepest pride that I thank you and the Japan Prize
Foundation for so graciously bestowing the 2015 Japan Prize in
Medical Science and Medicinal Science on me, my colleague Alain
Fischer and the field that we represent - human gene therapy. The
Japan Prize is one of the highest honors that can come to ascientist.
Most human disease results from a combination of genetic andenvironmental factors and Medicine has certainly developed
effective biochemical and symptomatic treatments for somedisorders. However, most of humanity’s most serious diseases
including cancer, heart and neurological disease and many others
remain resistant to the traditional tools and concepts of Medicine.
We are now living through a remarkable revolution that ismaking possible entirely new understanding of disease and new
kinds of therapy that are aimed specifically at the defects in thegenetic machinery of the cell that cause disease - an approach that
we have called gene therapy.
This 2015 Japan Prize in Medical Science and Medicinal
Science recognizes this new form of specific and targeted
Medicine that allows us to attack disease at its most basic level toproduce definitive cures rather than just manage the symptoms of
disease.
I am deeply grateful for the gracious recognition by the Japan
Prize Foundation of the efforts that Dr. Fischer and I have made tohelp give birth to this new era of Medicine. We recognize that our
many colleagues, funding agencies and patients have also
contributed enormously to the development of this new kind of
Medicine.
To all of them, to the Japan Foundation and especially to Your
Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, I want to say thankyou - Doumo Arigato Gozaimasu.
Theodore Friedmannconsidered gene therapy to be a suitable approach for correcting
X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency. This was achieved forthe first time in 1999 by using engineered retroviral vectors to insert
the therapeutic gene into the genome of hematopoietic progenitor
cells. This success was mitigated by the occurrence of unanticipatedadverse events. An international effort helped us to understand thecauses of these events and to develop a remedy that has now beenused in several centers. It thus appears that gene therapy can be usedwith a satisfactory benefit/risk ratio in a growing number of diseases.
At the Imagine Institute in Paris (which is dedicated to research on
genetic diseases), we shall continue to develop this type of approach.
Before closing, I must say a few words in acknowledgement of thelongstanding support that our patients and their families haveprovided. Their courage, enthusiasm and generosity have encouraged
us to perform this research.
Again, I would like to wholeheartedly thank the Japan Prize
Foundation for their generous attribution of this award.
Lastly, I wish to thank my family for their constant support.
Alain Fischer

Born: January 28, 1927
Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo"Medical Science and Medicinal Science" field

The existence of human beings is completely dependent on the continuous and diverse use of Earth’s biological resources. In recent years, however,the biological environment of our planet, which fosters indispensable biological resources, is deteriorating rapidly. Despite many technologicalinnovations that have dramatically increased our food production capacity, the human race is set to outgrow that capacity at an even greater pace andenvironmental issues are on the rise.
In order to maintain the precious biological environment of our global society, there is an ever-growing need for development of sustainable andenvironmentally conscious biological production technologies, as well as creation of environmental technologies for the conservation of biodiversity.

Proposal of the concept of genetherapy and its clinical applications

Achievement eligible:
The 2016 Japan Prize in the fields of “Biological Production and Biological Environment” will be awarded to individuals who
have made significant contributions to the welfare of society by achieving momentous scientific and technological breakthroughs in
the improvement of biological production of food and other useful materials to overcome hunger and poverty as well as to assure
their safety, or in the development of technologies that will measure and evaluate the effects of human activity on the environment orserve as environmental countermeasures , thereby helping to protect and conserve the biological environment and biodiversity.

The Japan Prize Foundation
The Japan Prize Foundation was established in 1982, with the aim of contributing to the further development ofscience and technology. In addition to recognizing outstanding achievements with the Japan Prize, the Foundation has
been promoting science and technology by hosting the "Easy-to-understand Science and Technology Seminars" andawarding Research Grants to help nurture young scientists.

Message from the laureate
It is a great honor to stand here this afternoon in the presence of
their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, with so many
distinguished guests and several of my dear Japanese friends andcolleagues. I feel both humbled and proud to share the award of theJapan Prize with Ted Friedmann. This award comes as recognition of
the work performed by a fantastic group of talented scientists andphysicians, with whom I have formed close personal bonds.
Following my training in pediatrics in Paris (notably with Claude
Griscelli) and in immunology in London (with Marc Feldmann andPeter Beverley), I focused my work on understanding and treating agroup of rare inherited diseases called primary immunodeficiencies.
These disorders variously lead to chronic infections, autoimmunity,
allergy, inflammation and cancer. Studying these
immunodeficiencies provided important information on the humanimmune system but also paved the way for therapeutic progress. Thatis how my field encountered gene therapy - a concept that Ted
Friedmann developed in the early 1970s. Based on our understandingof the pathophysiology of primary immunodeficiencies, mycolleagues Marina Cavazzana and Salima Hacein-Bey-Abina and I

Dr. Yutaka Takahasi

Biological Production and Biological Environment

Background and rationale:
Message from the laureate"Resources, Energy and Social Infrastructure" fieldResearch Grants
The Foundation provides research
grants to scientists and researchers
under 35 years of age. Every year, theFoundation selects projects in the same
fields as the corresponding Japan Prizeand gives one million Japanese yen fora project. In 2015, studies in “Clean &Sustainable Energy” were added as aneligible field of study to the two fields
designated for the 2015 Japan Prize.
Including the 20 recipients in 2015, theFoundation awarded research grants to
181 young scientists since theprogram’ s inception in 2006.

“Easy-to-Understand Science andTechnology Seminars”

Stockholm International YouthScience Seminar (SIYSS)For junior and senior high school
students, the Foundation holds aseries of seminars on advanced
technologies commonly used ineveryday life by inviting Research
Grant recipients as lecturers. They
explain state-of-the-art technologies
in plain terms. The program began in
March 1989 and has since executed
252 seminars across Japan by the endof 2014.

Each year, the Japan Prize Foundation
provides an opportunity for young scientists
to exchange opinions with their peers on aninternational level by sending two students
to the Stockholm International YouthScience Seminar hosted by the Swedish
Federation of Young scientists with thesupport of the Nobel Foundation. Youngscientists from Japan and elsewhere in theworld attend various events during Nobel
Week in Stockholm. Since the program
started in 1987, the Japan Prize Foundation
has provided this valuable opportunity to 54
undergraduate/ graduate students.

Dr. Theodore Friedmann

The 2015 (31st) Japan Prize laureates were honored at an award presentation ceremony held on April 23 at the Tokyo
International Forum in Yurakucho, Tokyo, in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. The Japan Prize isawarded annually to scientists and researchers in two fields who made substantial contributions to their fields as well as society toserve the cause of peace and prosperity of mankind. Dr. Yutaka Takahasi of Japan, the laureate in the “Resources, Energy andSocial Infrastructure” field, was recognized for his contribution to “development of innovative concept on river basin
management and reduction of water-related disasters.” Dr. Theodore Friedmann of the United States and Prof. Alain Fischer ofFrance were the laureates in the “Medical Science and Medicinal Science” field for their “proposal of the concept of gene therapy
and its clinical applications.” Japan Prize laureates are selected from among the candidates who are recommended by prominent
researchers and scientists around the world. For the 2015 Japan Prize, 152 recommendations were sent in for the “Resources,
Energy and Social Infrastructure” field, and the other field received 276 recommendations. Dr. Takahasi, Dr. Friedmann andProf. Fischer were deemed well worthy of the prize after almost a year-long, fair and rigid selection process.

Born: June 16, 1935
Professor of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego,
School of Medicine

Prof. Alain Fischer
The Japan Prize is awarded to scientists and researchers, regardless ofnationality, who have made significant contributions to the progress ofscience and technology as well as society to serve the cause of peace andprosperity of mankind.

While the prize encompasses all categories of science and technology, twofields of study are designated for the prize each year in consideration ofdevelopments in science and technology. Each Japan Prize laureate receives
a certificate of merit and a prize medal. A cash prize of 50 million yen is also
awarded to each prize field.

Born: September 11, 1949
Professor at Collège de France,
Director of Institute Imagine,
Hôpital Necker-Enfants maladesFields Eligible for the 2016 Japan Prize

Message from the laureate
It is truly an honor to stand before Your Majesties the Emperor andI would like to extend my thanks to the rich and diverse Japanese

Empress of Japan, distinguished guests, and representatives from various

rivers, which have fostered my vision of nature over the years, as well as

fields to receive the internationally recognized Japan Prize.

to the Japanese homeland that nurtured them.

Since I was a student in my twenties, I have been studying river

Due to the nature of my research, my findings do not receive muchengineering by conducting fieldworks on numerous floods andpublic exposure, and may seem esoteric to the general public. Therefore,water-related disasters each year. I’ve also had the privilege ofI am truly grateful to the members of the Japan Prize Foundation and theresearching rivers and water-related disasters not only in Japan but also

Selection Committee for acknowledging such a difficult subject.

around the world, including in China, Europe and the Middle East.
From these research studies, I’ve come to the conclusion that, in orderto promote river improvement policies and water resource development
and conservation, one must take a comprehensive approach that takes

Finally, I would like to express my best wishes to the Japan Prize
Foundation and hope it will continue to recognize innovative researchachievements into the future.
Yutaka Takahasi

middle reaches, and the river mouth.

Your Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, honored
guests and ladies and gentlemen.
It is with the deepest pride that I thank you and the Japan Prize
Foundation for so graciously bestowing the 2015 Japan Prize in
Medical Science and Medicinal Science on me, my colleague Alain
Fischer and the field that we represent - human gene therapy. The
Japan Prize is one of the highest honors that can come to ascientist.
Most human disease results from a combination of genetic andenvironmental factors and Medicine has certainly developed
effective biochemical and symptomatic treatments for somedisorders. However, most of humanity’s most serious diseases
including cancer, heart and neurological disease and many others
remain resistant to the traditional tools and concepts of Medicine.
We are now living through a remarkable revolution that ismaking possible entirely new understanding of disease and new
kinds of therapy that are aimed specifically at the defects in thegenetic machinery of the cell that cause disease - an approach that
we have called gene therapy.
This 2015 Japan Prize in Medical Science and Medicinal
Science recognizes this new form of specific and targeted
Medicine that allows us to attack disease at its most basic level toproduce definitive cures rather than just manage the symptoms of
disease.
I am deeply grateful for the gracious recognition by the Japan
Prize Foundation of the efforts that Dr. Fischer and I have made tohelp give birth to this new era of Medicine. We recognize that our
many colleagues, funding agencies and patients have also
contributed enormously to the development of this new kind of
Medicine.
To all of them, to the Japan Foundation and especially to Your
Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, I want to say thankyou - Doumo Arigato Gozaimasu.
Theodore Friedmann

Discoveries and inventions of new materials with nonconventional functionality and characteristics as well as of advanced production
technologies have brought about numerous technological innovations, thereby contributing greatly to the advancement of society.
For instance, we have designed and successfully synthesized artificial materials with new functions, such as semiconductors, polymers,
nano-materials, and catalysts, and discovered new natural products. We have also developed new fields of industrial engineering such as
design and manufacturing technologies supported by high-performance computers, precision measurement techniques, and robotics that
contribute to the efficiency of production process.
In order to make effective use of finite resources and build a sustainable society for the future, a new paradigm for the development ofmaterials with new functions and groundbreaking technologies for industrial design, production and operation are necessary.
The 2016 Japan Prize in the fields of “Materials and Production” will be 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 while
ensuring the sustainability of society by designing and developing materials with new functions, or by advancing the technologies forindustrial design, production and operation, that will create new products, services and industries.

considered gene therapy to be a suitable approach for correcting
X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency. This was achieved forthe first time in 1999 by using engineered retroviral vectors to insert
the therapeutic gene into the genome of hematopoietic progenitor
cells. This success was mitigated by the occurrence of unanticipatedadverse events. An international effort helped us to understand thecauses of these events and to develop a remedy that has now beenused in several centers. It thus appears that gene therapy can be usedwith a satisfactory benefit/risk ratio in a growing number of diseases.
At the Imagine Institute in Paris (which is dedicated to research on
genetic diseases), we shall continue to develop this type of approach.
Before closing, I must say a few words in acknowledgement of thelongstanding support that our patients and their families haveprovided. Their courage, enthusiasm and generosity have encouraged
us to perform this research.
Again, I would like to wholeheartedly thank the Japan Prize
Foundation for their generous attribution of this award.
Lastly, I wish to thank my family for their constant support.
Alain Fischer

www.japanprize.jp"Resources, Energy and Social Infrastructure" field

Contribution to development ofinnovative concept on river basin
management and reduction ofwater-related disasters

2015 (31st) Japan Prize Presentation CeremonyAwards were presented to three laureates from the U.S., France and Japanin the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress

Dr. Yutaka Takahasi
Born: January 28, 1927
Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo

Biological Production and Biological Environment

Background and rationale:"Medical Science and Medicinal Science" field

Achievement eligible:

Proposal of the concept of genetherapy and its clinical applications

The existence of human beings is completely dependent on the continuous and diverse use of Earth’s biological resources. In recent years, however,the biological environment of our planet, which fosters indispensable biological resources, is deteriorating rapidly. Despite many technologicalinnovations that have dramatically increased our food production capacity, the human race is set to outgrow that capacity at an even greater pace andenvironmental issues are on the rise.
In order to maintain the precious biological environment of our global society, there is an ever-growing need for development of sustainable andenvironmentally conscious biological production technologies, as well as creation of environmental technologies for the conservation of biodiversity.

The 2016 Japan Prize in the fields of “Biological Production and Biological Environment” will be awarded to individuals who
have made significant contributions to the welfare of society by achieving momentous scientific and technological breakthroughs in
the improvement of biological production of food and other useful materials to overcome hunger and poverty as well as to assure
their safety, or in the development of technologies that will measure and evaluate the effects of human activity on the environment orserve as environmental countermeasures , thereby helping to protect and conserve the biological environment and biodiversity.

The Japan Prize Foundation
The Japan Prize Foundation was established in 1982, with the aim of contributing to the further development ofscience and technology. In addition to recognizing outstanding achievements with the Japan Prize, the Foundation has
been promoting science and technology by hosting the "Easy-to-understand Science and Technology Seminars" andawarding Research Grants to help nurture young scientists.

Message from the laureate
It is a great honor to stand here this afternoon in the presence of
their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, with so many
distinguished guests and several of my dear Japanese friends andcolleagues. I feel both humbled and proud to share the award of theJapan Prize with Ted Friedmann. This award comes as recognition of
the work performed by a fantastic group of talented scientists andphysicians, with whom I have formed close personal bonds.
Following my training in pediatrics in Paris (notably with Claude
Griscelli) and in immunology in London (with Marc Feldmann andPeter Beverley), I focused my work on understanding and treating agroup of rare inherited diseases called primary immunodeficiencies.
These disorders variously lead to chronic infections, autoimmunity,
allergy, inflammation and cancer. Studying these
immunodeficiencies provided important information on the humanimmune system but also paved the way for therapeutic progress. Thatis how my field encountered gene therapy - a concept that Ted
Friedmann developed in the early 1970s. Based on our understandingof the pathophysiology of primary immunodeficiencies, mycolleagues Marina Cavazzana and Salima Hacein-Bey-Abina and I

May 2015

Background and rationale:

Area of
Life Science, Agriculture and Medicine

Message from the laureate

No. 54

Materials and Production

Achievement eligible:

Thank you.

into account the entire river basin, including the upstream source, theArea ofPhysics, Chemistry and Engineering

ARK Mori Building, East Wing 35th Floor, 1-12-32
Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-6035, JAPAN
Tel: +81-3-5545-0551 Fax: +81-3-5545-0554

Research Grants
The Foundation provides research
grants to scientists and researchers
under 35 years of age. Every year, theFoundation selects projects in the same
fields as the corresponding Japan Prizeand gives one million Japanese yen fora project. In 2015, studies in “Clean &Sustainable Energy” were added as aneligible field of study to the two fields
designated for the 2015 Japan Prize.
Including the 20 recipients in 2015, theFoundation awarded research grants to
181 young scientists since theprogram’ s inception in 2006.

“Easy-to-Understand Science andTechnology Seminars”

Stockholm International YouthScience Seminar (SIYSS)For junior and senior high school
students, the Foundation holds aseries of seminars on advanced
technologies commonly used ineveryday life by inviting Research
Grant recipients as lecturers. They
explain state-of-the-art technologies
in plain terms. The program began in
March 1989 and has since executed
252 seminars across Japan by the endof 2014.

Each year, the Japan Prize Foundation
provides an opportunity for young scientists
to exchange opinions with their peers on aninternational level by sending two students
to the Stockholm International YouthScience Seminar hosted by the Swedish
Federation of Young scientists with thesupport of the Nobel Foundation. Youngscientists from Japan and elsewhere in theworld attend various events during Nobel
Week in Stockholm. Since the program
started in 1987, the Japan Prize Foundation
has provided this valuable opportunity to 54
undergraduate/ graduate students.

Dr. Theodore Friedmann

The 2015 (31st) Japan Prize laureates were honored at an award presentation ceremony held on April 23 at the Tokyo
International Forum in Yurakucho, Tokyo, in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. The Japan Prize isawarded annually to scientists and researchers in two fields who made substantial contributions to their fields as well as society toserve the cause of peace and prosperity of mankind. Dr. Yutaka Takahasi of Japan, the laureate in the “Resources, Energy andSocial Infrastructure” field, was recognized for his contribution to “development of innovative concept on river basin
management and reduction of water-related disasters.” Dr. Theodore Friedmann of the United States and Prof. Alain Fischer ofFrance were the laureates in the “Medical Science and Medicinal Science” field for their “proposal of the concept of gene therapy
and its clinical applications.” Japan Prize laureates are selected from among the candidates who are recommended by prominent
researchers and scientists around the world. For the 2015 Japan Prize, 152 recommendations were sent in for the “Resources,
Energy and Social Infrastructure” field, and the other field received 276 recommendations. Dr. Takahasi, Dr. Friedmann andProf. Fischer were deemed well worthy of the prize after almost a year-long, fair and rigid selection process.

Born: June 16, 1935
Professor of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego,
School of Medicine

Prof. Alain Fischer
The Japan Prize is awarded to scientists and researchers, regardless ofnationality, who have made significant contributions to the progress ofscience and technology as well as society to serve the cause of peace andprosperity of mankind.

While the prize encompasses all categories of science and technology, twofields of study are designated for the prize each year in consideration ofdevelopments in science and technology. Each Japan Prize laureate receives
a certificate of merit and a prize medal. A cash prize of 50 million yen is also
awarded to each prize field.

Born: September 11, 1949
Professor at Collège de France,
Director of Institute Imagine,
Hôpital Necker-Enfants maladesFields Eligible for the 2016 Japan Prize

Message from the laureate
It is truly an honor to stand before Your Majesties the Emperor andI would like to extend my thanks to the rich and diverse Japanese

Empress of Japan, distinguished guests, and representatives from various

rivers, which have fostered my vision of nature over the years, as well as

fields to receive the internationally recognized Japan Prize.

to the Japanese homeland that nurtured them.

Since I was a student in my twenties, I have been studying river

Due to the nature of my research, my findings do not receive muchengineering by conducting fieldworks on numerous floods andpublic exposure, and may seem esoteric to the general public. Therefore,water-related disasters each year. I’ve also had the privilege ofI am truly grateful to the members of the Japan Prize Foundation and theresearching rivers and water-related disasters not only in Japan but also

Selection Committee for acknowledging such a difficult subject.

around the world, including in China, Europe and the Middle East.
From these research studies, I’ve come to the conclusion that, in orderto promote river improvement policies and water resource development
and conservation, one must take a comprehensive approach that takes

Finally, I would like to express my best wishes to the Japan Prize
Foundation and hope it will continue to recognize innovative researchachievements into the future.
Yutaka Takahasi

middle reaches, and the river mouth.

Your Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, honored
guests and ladies and gentlemen.
It is with the deepest pride that I thank you and the Japan Prize
Foundation for so graciously bestowing the 2015 Japan Prize in
Medical Science and Medicinal Science on me, my colleague Alain
Fischer and the field that we represent - human gene therapy. The
Japan Prize is one of the highest honors that can come to ascientist.
Most human disease results from a combination of genetic andenvironmental factors and Medicine has certainly developed
effective biochemical and symptomatic treatments for somedisorders. However, most of humanity’s most serious diseases
including cancer, heart and neurological disease and many others
remain resistant to the traditional tools and concepts of Medicine.
We are now living through a remarkable revolution that ismaking possible entirely new understanding of disease and new
kinds of therapy that are aimed specifically at the defects in thegenetic machinery of the cell that cause disease - an approach that
we have called gene therapy.
This 2015 Japan Prize in Medical Science and Medicinal
Science recognizes this new form of specific and targeted
Medicine that allows us to attack disease at its most basic level toproduce definitive cures rather than just manage the symptoms of
disease.
I am deeply grateful for the gracious recognition by the Japan
Prize Foundation of the efforts that Dr. Fischer and I have made tohelp give birth to this new era of Medicine. We recognize that our
many colleagues, funding agencies and patients have also
contributed enormously to the development of this new kind of
Medicine.
To all of them, to the Japan Foundation and especially to Your
Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, I want to say thankyou - Doumo Arigato Gozaimasu.
Theodore Friedmann

Discoveries and inventions of new materials with nonconventional functionality and characteristics as well as of advanced production
technologies have brought about numerous technological innovations, thereby contributing greatly to the advancement of society.
For instance, we have designed and successfully synthesized artificial materials with new functions, such as semiconductors, polymers,
nano-materials, and catalysts, and discovered new natural products. We have also developed new fields of industrial engineering such as
design and manufacturing technologies supported by high-performance computers, precision measurement techniques, and robotics that
contribute to the efficiency of production process.
In order to make effective use of finite resources and build a sustainable society for the future, a new paradigm for the development ofmaterials with new functions and groundbreaking technologies for industrial design, production and operation are necessary.
The 2016 Japan Prize in the fields of “Materials and Production” will be 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 while
ensuring the sustainability of society by designing and developing materials with new functions, or by advancing the technologies forindustrial design, production and operation, that will create new products, services and industries.

considered gene therapy to be a suitable approach for correcting
X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency. This was achieved forthe first time in 1999 by using engineered retroviral vectors to insert
the therapeutic gene into the genome of hematopoietic progenitor
cells. This success was mitigated by the occurrence of unanticipatedadverse events. An international effort helped us to understand thecauses of these events and to develop a remedy that has now beenused in several centers. It thus appears that gene therapy can be usedwith a satisfactory benefit/risk ratio in a growing number of diseases.
At the Imagine Institute in Paris (which is dedicated to research on
genetic diseases), we shall continue to develop this type of approach.
Before closing, I must say a few words in acknowledgement of thelongstanding support that our patients and their families haveprovided. Their courage, enthusiasm and generosity have encouraged
us to perform this research.
Again, I would like to wholeheartedly thank the Japan Prize
Foundation for their generous attribution of this award.
Lastly, I wish to thank my family for their constant support.
Alain Fischer

www.japanprize.jp"Resources, Energy and Social Infrastructure" field

Contribution to development ofinnovative concept on river basin
management and reduction ofwater-related disasters

2015 (31st) Japan Prize Presentation CeremonyAwards were presented to three laureates from the U.S., France and Japanin the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress

Dr. Yutaka Takahasi
Born: January 28, 1927
Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo

Biological Production and Biological Environment

Background and rationale:"Medical Science and Medicinal Science" field

Achievement eligible:

Proposal of the concept of genetherapy and its clinical applications

The existence of human beings is completely dependent on the continuous and diverse use of Earth’s biological resources. In recent years, however,the biological environment of our planet, which fosters indispensable biological resources, is deteriorating rapidly. Despite many technologicalinnovations that have dramatically increased our food production capacity, the human race is set to outgrow that capacity at an even greater pace andenvironmental issues are on the rise.
In order to maintain the precious biological environment of our global society, there is an ever-growing need for development of sustainable andenvironmentally conscious biological production technologies, as well as creation of environmental technologies for the conservation of biodiversity.

The 2016 Japan Prize in the fields of “Biological Production and Biological Environment” will be awarded to individuals who
have made significant contributions to the welfare of society by achieving momentous scientific and technological breakthroughs in
the improvement of biological production of food and other useful materials to overcome hunger and poverty as well as to assure
their safety, or in the development of technologies that will measure and evaluate the effects of human activity on the environment orserve as environmental countermeasures , thereby helping to protect and conserve the biological environment and biodiversity.

The Japan Prize Foundation
The Japan Prize Foundation was established in 1982, with the aim of contributing to the further development ofscience and technology. In addition to recognizing outstanding achievements with the Japan Prize, the Foundation has
been promoting science and technology by hosting the "Easy-to-understand Science and Technology Seminars" andawarding Research Grants to help nurture young scientists.

Message from the laureate
It is a great honor to stand here this afternoon in the presence of
their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, with so many
distinguished guests and several of my dear Japanese friends andcolleagues. I feel both humbled and proud to share the award of theJapan Prize with Ted Friedmann. This award comes as recognition of
the work performed by a fantastic group of talented scientists andphysicians, with whom I have formed close personal bonds.
Following my training in pediatrics in Paris (notably with Claude
Griscelli) and in immunology in London (with Marc Feldmann andPeter Beverley), I focused my work on understanding and treating agroup of rare inherited diseases called primary immunodeficiencies.
These disorders variously lead to chronic infections, autoimmunity,
allergy, inflammation and cancer. Studying these
immunodeficiencies provided important information on the humanimmune system but also paved the way for therapeutic progress. Thatis how my field encountered gene therapy - a concept that Ted
Friedmann developed in the early 1970s. Based on our understandingof the pathophysiology of primary immunodeficiencies, mycolleagues Marina Cavazzana and Salima Hacein-Bey-Abina and I

May 2015

Background and rationale:

Area of
Life Science, Agriculture and Medicine

Message from the laureate

No. 54

Materials and Production

Achievement eligible:

Thank you.

into account the entire river basin, including the upstream source, theArea ofPhysics, Chemistry and Engineering

ARK Mori Building, East Wing 35th Floor, 1-12-32
Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-6035, JAPAN
Tel: +81-3-5545-0551 Fax: +81-3-5545-0554

Research Grants
The Foundation provides research
grants to scientists and researchers
under 35 years of age. Every year, theFoundation selects projects in the same
fields as the corresponding Japan Prizeand gives one million Japanese yen fora project. In 2015, studies in “Clean &Sustainable Energy” were added as aneligible field of study to the two fields
designated for the 2015 Japan Prize.
Including the 20 recipients in 2015, theFoundation awarded research grants to
181 young scientists since theprogram’ s inception in 2006.

“Easy-to-Understand Science andTechnology Seminars”

Stockholm International YouthScience Seminar (SIYSS)For junior and senior high school
students, the Foundation holds aseries of seminars on advanced
technologies commonly used ineveryday life by inviting Research
Grant recipients as lecturers. They
explain state-of-the-art technologies
in plain terms. The program began in
March 1989 and has since executed
252 seminars across Japan by the endof 2014.

Each year, the Japan Prize Foundation
provides an opportunity for young scientists
to exchange opinions with their peers on aninternational level by sending two students
to the Stockholm International YouthScience Seminar hosted by the Swedish
Federation of Young scientists with thesupport of the Nobel Foundation. Youngscientists from Japan and elsewhere in theworld attend various events during Nobel
Week in Stockholm. Since the program
started in 1987, the Japan Prize Foundation
has provided this valuable opportunity to 54
undergraduate/ graduate students.

Dr. Theodore Friedmann

The 2015 (31st) Japan Prize laureates were honored at an award presentation ceremony held on April 23 at the Tokyo
International Forum in Yurakucho, Tokyo, in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. The Japan Prize isawarded annually to scientists and researchers in two fields who made substantial contributions to their fields as well as society toserve the cause of peace and prosperity of mankind. Dr. Yutaka Takahasi of Japan, the laureate in the “Resources, Energy andSocial Infrastructure” field, was recognized for his contribution to “development of innovative concept on river basin
management and reduction of water-related disasters.” Dr. Theodore Friedmann of the United States and Prof. Alain Fischer ofFrance were the laureates in the “Medical Science and Medicinal Science” field for their “proposal of the concept of gene therapy
and its clinical applications.” Japan Prize laureates are selected from among the candidates who are recommended by prominent
researchers and scientists around the world. For the 2015 Japan Prize, 152 recommendations were sent in for the “Resources,
Energy and Social Infrastructure” field, and the other field received 276 recommendations. Dr. Takahasi, Dr. Friedmann andProf. Fischer were deemed well worthy of the prize after almost a year-long, fair and rigid selection process.

Born: June 16, 1935
Professor of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego,
School of Medicine

Prof. Alain Fischer
The Japan Prize is awarded to scientists and researchers, regardless ofnationality, who have made significant contributions to the progress ofscience and technology as well as society to serve the cause of peace andprosperity of mankind.

While the prize encompasses all categories of science and technology, twofields of study are designated for the prize each year in consideration ofdevelopments in science and technology. Each Japan Prize laureate receives
a certificate of merit and a prize medal. A cash prize of 50 million yen is also
awarded to each prize field.

Born: September 11, 1949
Professor at Collège de France,
Director of Institute Imagine,
Hôpital Necker-Enfants malades

Presentation Ceremony

BanquetCommemorative Lectures

Japan Prize Week

Resources, Energy and Social Infrastructure" ﬁeld

"Medical Science and Medicinal Science" ﬁeld

/20

4

Welcome Reception

J A P A N

Prior to the prize presentation ceremony, Dr. Takahasi, Dr. Friedmann and Prof. Fischer gave lectures commemorating theirreceipt of the Japan Prize at Ito Hall on the campus of the University of Tokyo on April 21. Before a packed audience ofabout 300, Dr. Takahasi presented the history of river engineering in Japan with examples of flood control measures taken in
the country. He also introduced leaders who have driven progress in the field. Dr. Friedmann looked back how his innovative
concept of gene therapy has become a reality, and Prof. Fischer explained how the therapy works and its potentials as a
medical treatment beyond genetic diseases and refractory diseases. The laureates also conveyed messages to young scientists
in their respective fields. It was also revealed that the publisher of Dr. Takahasi’s book titled “Transformation of National
Land and Water-related Disasters” has decided to revive it in the wake of his winning of the Japan Prize. The book was firstpublished in 1971.

French Embassy Party（Mon.）

Courtesy Call on the Japan Academy

Courtesy Call on the Prime Minister

Commemorative Lectures（Tue.）

Congratulatory addressby H.E. Mr. Tadamori Oshima,
Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives

Dr. & Mrs.
Theodore Friedmann

Opening remarksby Dr. Yoshio Yazaki,
President of the Japan
Prize Foundation

Prof. & Mrs. Alain Fischer

Selection results
by Dr. Hiroshi Komiyama,
Chairman of the Selection
Committee

Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress
attending the commemorative concert

Commemorative concert
by the Tokyo Geidai Symphony Orchestra

Toast by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan

Opening addressby Prof. Hiroyuki Yoshikawa ,Chairman of
the Japan Prize Foundation

Acknowledgment
by Dr. Yutaka Takahasi

Congratulatory address by H.E. Mr. Masaaki Yamazaki,
President of House of Councillors

Acknowledgment
by Dr. Theodore Friedmann

Acknowledgment
by Prof. Alain Fischer

Theme

The History of the Japanese People andRiver Engineering (Dr. Yutaka Takahasi)
Dr. Takahasi began his career as a researcher at a time when Japanwas suffering a succession of major flood disasters brought about by
Typhoon Kathleen (1947) and Isewan Typhoon (1959). He
scientifically analyzed the effect that modernizations and river
improvement from the Meiji era onwards have had on water-related
disasters. The findings were published in his 1971 publication“Transformation of National Land and Water-related Disasters,”
thoroughly proposing the concepts which became the foundation of
today’ s comprehensive flood control.
At this year’ s commemorative lecture by Dr. Takahasi titled “TheHistory of the Japanese People and River Engineering,” he pointed
out that the origin of river engineering can be traced back to
mankind’ s struggle against flood disasters since ancient times.
For example, Japan’ s first full-fledged river engineering project issaid to be Shingen-zutsumi, a dike built by warlord Takeda Shingen
during the Warring States period in the 16th century. Modeled after
the Dujiangyan irrigation system built in China during the 3rd century
BC, its purpose was to prevent flood disasters in the Kofu Basin in
Shingen’ s domain, caused by overflowing of Fuji River. Dr. Takahasi
said: ” The entire Shingen-zutsumi can be seen if you climb to the topof a nearby cliff called Takaiwa. Standing here and overlooking theriver, I think Takeda Shingen came up with a strategy to allow for
natural flooding but prevent it where it was crucial.” This is in linewith the present concept of river improvement.
Dr. Takahasi then introduced Japanese experts who led theadvancement of river engineering in Japan, showing examples of theirachievements. With firm beliefs and a high sense of morality thatpublic works projects should be carried out for the benefit of mankind,the leaders engaged in heated but constructive discussions. Dr.
Takahasi reiterated the importance of exchanging opinions, sayingthat the serious debates of our predecessors served as the cornerstoneof a safer homeland.
In concluding his lecture, Dr. Takahasi urged young researchers totake the trouble of visiting rivers themselves and observe a rivercarefully through the five physical senses.

ThemeGene Therapy ‒ A 45 Year Journeyfrom Concept to a New Medicine (Dr. Friedmann)/22

4

Tea Party hosted by U.S. Embassy

Academic Roundtable Discussion（Wed.）

Gene Therapy, from Primary Immunodeficiencies toDiversified Indications (Prof. Fischer)
Gene therapy is a treatment method in which genes are artificiallytransferred into patient’s cells in order to cure diseases. In 1972, Dr.
Theodore Friedmann published an important paper outlining theconcept of gene therapy and proposed a way forward in research. He
also shed light on the ethical issues surrounding gene therapy, andhas been a opinion leader on its social impact. At Dr. Friedmann’scommemorative lecture titled “Gene Therapy – A 45 Year Journeyfrom Concept to a New Medicine,” he talked about the Lesch-Nyhan
syndrome, which originally led him in the direction of gene therapy.
Dr. Friedmann hypothesized that clinical application would be apossibility if genes could be transferred efficiently and safely into
many cells at once, and went on to evaluate and systematize various
techniques. His 1972 paper, “Gene Therapy for Human Genetic
Disease?” is the result of this research, which had a huge influence on
researchers.
The first to come out with a breakthrough was the research teamled by Prof. Alain Fischer. In 1999, Prof. Fischer conducted genetherapy on patients suffering from X-linked severe combined
immunodeficiency and verified its clinical effectiveness for the firsttime. Prof. Fischer at his commemorative lecture titled “Gene
Therapy, from Primary Immunodeficiencies to Diversified
Indications” stressed the importance of developing a treatment forcongenital immunodeficiency.
Today, gene therapy is on the brink of a rapid progression. Dr.
Friedmann also introduced new possibilities in gene therapy, such as
the treatment of cancer, retinal disease and even a gene therapy based
HIV vaccine. Talking about the future, Prof. Fischer shared his visionof a “more elegant” form of gene therapy which would not onlytransfer therapeutic genes into cells, but also repair the patient’s
abnormal genes.

/23

4

米国大使館パーティー
Presentation Ceremony

Banquet（Thu.）/25

4

Sightseeing in Kyoto（Sat.）In Katsura Imperial Villa

In Matsushita Shinshin-An

P H O T O S

Dr. & Mrs. Yutaka Takahasi

Following the Presentation Ceremony, a banquet was held at a hotel in Tokyo. The banquet, which was attended by more than
300 people, was opened by His Majesty the Emperor proposing a toast to the laureates. In a graceful atmosphere, with a string
quartet and a harpist playing music live in the background, the laureates sitting at the center table enjoyed the dinner andconversations with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. The banquet lasted about an hour and a half and was concluded
with a congratulatory address by Masaaki Yamazaki, President of House of Councillors, and courteous acknowledgements by thelaureates. Dr. Takahasi told how he has come to develop the concept of an integrated river basin management and expressed afeeling of gratitude toward the rich and diverse Japanese rivers that fostered his vision of nature and the Japanese homeland that
nurtured such rivers. Dr. Friedmann and Prof. Fischer, co-winners of the Medical Science and Medicinal Science award, told how
they gave birth to an innovative medicine and its potentials. Showing respect for each other, the two scientists also expressed theirappreciation for their patients and patients’ families and colleagues in the scientific community.

W E E KThe Japan Prize Presentation Ceremony was a grand occasion during the Japan Prize Week, graced with the presence of Their
Majesties the Emperor and Empress and attended by roughly 1,000 audience members including dignitaries from government,
industry and academia, as well as families and friends of the laureates. During the ceremony, Dr. Takahasi, Dr. Friedmann andProf. Fischer each received a certificate of recognition and a commemorative gold medal. By holding the medal high, thelaureates acknowledged the applause of the packed audience. Dr. Hiroyuki Yoshikawa, Chairman of the Japan Prize
Foundation, also presented bouquets of flowers to the wives of the laureates, who were on the stage as well. In thecommemorative concert following the award presentation, the Tokyo Geidai Symphony Orchestra played numbers requested inadvance by the laureates, including movements from Mozart’ s Symphony No. 38 in D major, K. 504 “Prague,” Smetana’ssymphonic poem “Moldau” and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98. Every year, the ceremony is opened with anorchestral performance of Minoru Miki’s “Overture to Japan Prize Ceremony - Overture Japan” since 1990 - at the sixth annual
ceremony - when the internationally renowned Japanese composer dedicated the piece to Japan Prize laureates.

P R I Z E

/21

4

Presentation Ceremony

BanquetCommemorative Lectures

Japan Prize Week

Resources, Energy and Social Infrastructure" ﬁeld

"Medical Science and Medicinal Science" ﬁeld

/20

4

Welcome Reception

J A P A N

Prior to the prize presentation ceremony, Dr. Takahasi, Dr. Friedmann and Prof. Fischer gave lectures commemorating theirreceipt of the Japan Prize at Ito Hall on the campus of the University of Tokyo on April 21. Before a packed audience ofabout 300, Dr. Takahasi presented the history of river engineering in Japan with examples of flood control measures taken in
the country. He also introduced leaders who have driven progress in the field. Dr. Friedmann looked back how his innovative
concept of gene therapy has become a reality, and Prof. Fischer explained how the therapy works and its potentials as a
medical treatment beyond genetic diseases and refractory diseases. The laureates also conveyed messages to young scientists
in their respective fields. It was also revealed that the publisher of Dr. Takahasi’s book titled “Transformation of National
Land and Water-related Disasters” has decided to revive it in the wake of his winning of the Japan Prize. The book was firstpublished in 1971.

French Embassy Party（Mon.）

Courtesy Call on the Japan Academy

Courtesy Call on the Prime Minister

Commemorative Lectures（Tue.）

Congratulatory addressby H.E. Mr. Tadamori Oshima,
Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives

Dr. & Mrs.
Theodore Friedmann

Opening remarksby Dr. Yoshio Yazaki,
President of the Japan
Prize Foundation

Prof. & Mrs. Alain Fischer

Selection results
by Dr. Hiroshi Komiyama,
Chairman of the Selection
Committee

Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress
attending the commemorative concert

Commemorative concert
by the Tokyo Geidai Symphony Orchestra

Toast by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan

Opening addressby Prof. Hiroyuki Yoshikawa ,Chairman of
the Japan Prize Foundation

Acknowledgment
by Dr. Yutaka Takahasi

Congratulatory address by H.E. Mr. Masaaki Yamazaki,
President of House of Councillors

Acknowledgment
by Dr. Theodore Friedmann

Acknowledgment
by Prof. Alain Fischer

Theme

The History of the Japanese People andRiver Engineering (Dr. Yutaka Takahasi)
Dr. Takahasi began his career as a researcher at a time when Japanwas suffering a succession of major flood disasters brought about by
Typhoon Kathleen (1947) and Isewan Typhoon (1959). He
scientifically analyzed the effect that modernizations and river
improvement from the Meiji era onwards have had on water-related
disasters. The findings were published in his 1971 publication“Transformation of National Land and Water-related Disasters,”
thoroughly proposing the concepts which became the foundation of
today’ s comprehensive flood control.
At this year’ s commemorative lecture by Dr. Takahasi titled “TheHistory of the Japanese People and River Engineering,” he pointed
out that the origin of river engineering can be traced back to
mankind’ s struggle against flood disasters since ancient times.
For example, Japan’ s first full-fledged river engineering project issaid to be Shingen-zutsumi, a dike built by warlord Takeda Shingen
during the Warring States period in the 16th century. Modeled after
the Dujiangyan irrigation system built in China during the 3rd century
BC, its purpose was to prevent flood disasters in the Kofu Basin in
Shingen’ s domain, caused by overflowing of Fuji River. Dr. Takahasi
said: ” The entire Shingen-zutsumi can be seen if you climb to the topof a nearby cliff called Takaiwa. Standing here and overlooking theriver, I think Takeda Shingen came up with a strategy to allow for
natural flooding but prevent it where it was crucial.” This is in linewith the present concept of river improvement.
Dr. Takahasi then introduced Japanese experts who led theadvancement of river engineering in Japan, showing examples of theirachievements. With firm beliefs and a high sense of morality thatpublic works projects should be carried out for the benefit of mankind,the leaders engaged in heated but constructive discussions. Dr.
Takahasi reiterated the importance of exchanging opinions, sayingthat the serious debates of our predecessors served as the cornerstoneof a safer homeland.
In concluding his lecture, Dr. Takahasi urged young researchers totake the trouble of visiting rivers themselves and observe a rivercarefully through the five physical senses.

ThemeGene Therapy ‒ A 45 Year Journeyfrom Concept to a New Medicine (Dr. Friedmann)/22

4

Tea Party hosted by U.S. Embassy

Academic Roundtable Discussion（Wed.）

Gene Therapy, from Primary Immunodeficiencies toDiversified Indications (Prof. Fischer)
Gene therapy is a treatment method in which genes are artificiallytransferred into patient’s cells in order to cure diseases. In 1972, Dr.
Theodore Friedmann published an important paper outlining theconcept of gene therapy and proposed a way forward in research. He
also shed light on the ethical issues surrounding gene therapy, andhas been a opinion leader on its social impact. At Dr. Friedmann’scommemorative lecture titled “Gene Therapy – A 45 Year Journeyfrom Concept to a New Medicine,” he talked about the Lesch-Nyhan
syndrome, which originally led him in the direction of gene therapy.
Dr. Friedmann hypothesized that clinical application would be apossibility if genes could be transferred efficiently and safely into
many cells at once, and went on to evaluate and systematize various
techniques. His 1972 paper, “Gene Therapy for Human Genetic
Disease?” is the result of this research, which had a huge influence on
researchers.
The first to come out with a breakthrough was the research teamled by Prof. Alain Fischer. In 1999, Prof. Fischer conducted genetherapy on patients suffering from X-linked severe combined
immunodeficiency and verified its clinical effectiveness for the firsttime. Prof. Fischer at his commemorative lecture titled “Gene
Therapy, from Primary Immunodeficiencies to Diversified
Indications” stressed the importance of developing a treatment forcongenital immunodeficiency.
Today, gene therapy is on the brink of a rapid progression. Dr.
Friedmann also introduced new possibilities in gene therapy, such as
the treatment of cancer, retinal disease and even a gene therapy based
HIV vaccine. Talking about the future, Prof. Fischer shared his visionof a “more elegant” form of gene therapy which would not onlytransfer therapeutic genes into cells, but also repair the patient’s
abnormal genes.

/23

4

米国大使館パーティー
Presentation Ceremony

Banquet（Thu.）/25

4

Sightseeing in Kyoto（Sat.）In Katsura Imperial Villa

In Matsushita Shinshin-An

P H O T O S

Dr. & Mrs. Yutaka Takahasi

Following the Presentation Ceremony, a banquet was held at a hotel in Tokyo. The banquet, which was attended by more than
300 people, was opened by His Majesty the Emperor proposing a toast to the laureates. In a graceful atmosphere, with a string
quartet and a harpist playing music live in the background, the laureates sitting at the center table enjoyed the dinner andconversations with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. The banquet lasted about an hour and a half and was concluded
with a congratulatory address by Masaaki Yamazaki, President of House of Councillors, and courteous acknowledgements by thelaureates. Dr. Takahasi told how he has come to develop the concept of an integrated river basin management and expressed afeeling of gratitude toward the rich and diverse Japanese rivers that fostered his vision of nature and the Japanese homeland that
nurtured such rivers. Dr. Friedmann and Prof. Fischer, co-winners of the Medical Science and Medicinal Science award, told how
they gave birth to an innovative medicine and its potentials. Showing respect for each other, the two scientists also expressed theirappreciation for their patients and patients’ families and colleagues in the scientific community.

W E E KThe Japan Prize Presentation Ceremony was a grand occasion during the Japan Prize Week, graced with the presence of Their
Majesties the Emperor and Empress and attended by roughly 1,000 audience members including dignitaries from government,
industry and academia, as well as families and friends of the laureates. During the ceremony, Dr. Takahasi, Dr. Friedmann andProf. Fischer each received a certificate of recognition and a commemorative gold medal. By holding the medal high, thelaureates acknowledged the applause of the packed audience. Dr. Hiroyuki Yoshikawa, Chairman of the Japan Prize
Foundation, also presented bouquets of flowers to the wives of the laureates, who were on the stage as well. In thecommemorative concert following the award presentation, the Tokyo Geidai Symphony Orchestra played numbers requested inadvance by the laureates, including movements from Mozart’ s Symphony No. 38 in D major, K. 504 “Prague,” Smetana’ssymphonic poem “Moldau” and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98. Every year, the ceremony is opened with anorchestral performance of Minoru Miki’s “Overture to Japan Prize Ceremony - Overture Japan” since 1990 - at the sixth annual
ceremony - when the internationally renowned Japanese composer dedicated the piece to Japan Prize laureates.

P R I Z E

/21

4

Presentation Ceremony

BanquetCommemorative Lectures

Japan Prize Week

Resources, Energy and Social Infrastructure" ﬁeld

"Medical Science and Medicinal Science" ﬁeld

/20

4

Welcome Reception

J A P A N

Prior to the prize presentation ceremony, Dr. Takahasi, Dr. Friedmann and Prof. Fischer gave lectures commemorating theirreceipt of the Japan Prize at Ito Hall on the campus of the University of Tokyo on April 21. Before a packed audience ofabout 300, Dr. Takahasi presented the history of river engineering in Japan with examples of flood control measures taken in
the country. He also introduced leaders who have driven progress in the field. Dr. Friedmann looked back how his innovative
concept of gene therapy has become a reality, and Prof. Fischer explained how the therapy works and its potentials as a
medical treatment beyond genetic diseases and refractory diseases. The laureates also conveyed messages to young scientists
in their respective fields. It was also revealed that the publisher of Dr. Takahasi’s book titled “Transformation of National
Land and Water-related Disasters” has decided to revive it in the wake of his winning of the Japan Prize. The book was firstpublished in 1971.

French Embassy Party（Mon.）

Courtesy Call on the Japan Academy

Courtesy Call on the Prime Minister

Commemorative Lectures（Tue.）

Congratulatory addressby H.E. Mr. Tadamori Oshima,
Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives

Dr. & Mrs.
Theodore Friedmann

Opening remarksby Dr. Yoshio Yazaki,
President of the Japan
Prize Foundation

Prof. & Mrs. Alain Fischer

Selection results
by Dr. Hiroshi Komiyama,
Chairman of the Selection
Committee

Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress
attending the commemorative concert

Commemorative concert
by the Tokyo Geidai Symphony Orchestra

Toast by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan

Opening addressby Prof. Hiroyuki Yoshikawa ,Chairman of
the Japan Prize Foundation

Acknowledgment
by Dr. Yutaka Takahasi

Congratulatory address by H.E. Mr. Masaaki Yamazaki,
President of House of Councillors

Acknowledgment
by Dr. Theodore Friedmann

Acknowledgment
by Prof. Alain Fischer

Theme

The History of the Japanese People andRiver Engineering (Dr. Yutaka Takahasi)
Dr. Takahasi began his career as a researcher at a time when Japanwas suffering a succession of major flood disasters brought about by
Typhoon Kathleen (1947) and Isewan Typhoon (1959). He
scientifically analyzed the effect that modernizations and river
improvement from the Meiji era onwards have had on water-related
disasters. The findings were published in his 1971 publication“Transformation of National Land and Water-related Disasters,”
thoroughly proposing the concepts which became the foundation of
today’ s comprehensive flood control.
At this year’ s commemorative lecture by Dr. Takahasi titled “TheHistory of the Japanese People and River Engineering,” he pointed
out that the origin of river engineering can be traced back to
mankind’ s struggle against flood disasters since ancient times.
For example, Japan’ s first full-fledged river engineering project issaid to be Shingen-zutsumi, a dike built by warlord Takeda Shingen
during the Warring States period in the 16th century. Modeled after
the Dujiangyan irrigation system built in China during the 3rd century
BC, its purpose was to prevent flood disasters in the Kofu Basin in
Shingen’ s domain, caused by overflowing of Fuji River. Dr. Takahasi
said: ” The entire Shingen-zutsumi can be seen if you climb to the topof a nearby cliff called Takaiwa. Standing here and overlooking theriver, I think Takeda Shingen came up with a strategy to allow for
natural flooding but prevent it where it was crucial.” This is in linewith the present concept of river improvement.
Dr. Takahasi then introduced Japanese experts who led theadvancement of river engineering in Japan, showing examples of theirachievements. With firm beliefs and a high sense of morality thatpublic works projects should be carried out for the benefit of mankind,the leaders engaged in heated but constructive discussions. Dr.
Takahasi reiterated the importance of exchanging opinions, sayingthat the serious debates of our predecessors served as the cornerstoneof a safer homeland.
In concluding his lecture, Dr. Takahasi urged young researchers totake the trouble of visiting rivers themselves and observe a rivercarefully through the five physical senses.

ThemeGene Therapy ‒ A 45 Year Journeyfrom Concept to a New Medicine (Dr. Friedmann)/22

4

Tea Party hosted by U.S. Embassy

Academic Roundtable Discussion（Wed.）

Gene Therapy, from Primary Immunodeficiencies toDiversified Indications (Prof. Fischer)
Gene therapy is a treatment method in which genes are artificiallytransferred into patient’s cells in order to cure diseases. In 1972, Dr.
Theodore Friedmann published an important paper outlining theconcept of gene therapy and proposed a way forward in research. He
also shed light on the ethical issues surrounding gene therapy, andhas been a opinion leader on its social impact. At Dr. Friedmann’scommemorative lecture titled “Gene Therapy – A 45 Year Journeyfrom Concept to a New Medicine,” he talked about the Lesch-Nyhan
syndrome, which originally led him in the direction of gene therapy.
Dr. Friedmann hypothesized that clinical application would be apossibility if genes could be transferred efficiently and safely into
many cells at once, and went on to evaluate and systematize various
techniques. His 1972 paper, “Gene Therapy for Human Genetic
Disease?” is the result of this research, which had a huge influence on
researchers.
The first to come out with a breakthrough was the research teamled by Prof. Alain Fischer. In 1999, Prof. Fischer conducted genetherapy on patients suffering from X-linked severe combined
immunodeficiency and verified its clinical effectiveness for the firsttime. Prof. Fischer at his commemorative lecture titled “Gene
Therapy, from Primary Immunodeficiencies to Diversified
Indications” stressed the importance of developing a treatment forcongenital immunodeficiency.
Today, gene therapy is on the brink of a rapid progression. Dr.
Friedmann also introduced new possibilities in gene therapy, such as
the treatment of cancer, retinal disease and even a gene therapy based
HIV vaccine. Talking about the future, Prof. Fischer shared his visionof a “more elegant” form of gene therapy which would not onlytransfer therapeutic genes into cells, but also repair the patient’s
abnormal genes.

/23

4

米国大使館パーティー
Presentation Ceremony

Banquet（Thu.）/25

4

Sightseeing in Kyoto（Sat.）In Katsura Imperial Villa

In Matsushita Shinshin-An

P H O T O S

Dr. & Mrs. Yutaka Takahasi

Following the Presentation Ceremony, a banquet was held at a hotel in Tokyo. The banquet, which was attended by more than
300 people, was opened by His Majesty the Emperor proposing a toast to the laureates. In a graceful atmosphere, with a string
quartet and a harpist playing music live in the background, the laureates sitting at the center table enjoyed the dinner andconversations with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. The banquet lasted about an hour and a half and was concluded
with a congratulatory address by Masaaki Yamazaki, President of House of Councillors, and courteous acknowledgements by thelaureates. Dr. Takahasi told how he has come to develop the concept of an integrated river basin management and expressed afeeling of gratitude toward the rich and diverse Japanese rivers that fostered his vision of nature and the Japanese homeland that
nurtured such rivers. Dr. Friedmann and Prof. Fischer, co-winners of the Medical Science and Medicinal Science award, told how
they gave birth to an innovative medicine and its potentials. Showing respect for each other, the two scientists also expressed theirappreciation for their patients and patients’ families and colleagues in the scientific community.

W E E KThe Japan Prize Presentation Ceremony was a grand occasion during the Japan Prize Week, graced with the presence of Their
Majesties the Emperor and Empress and attended by roughly 1,000 audience members including dignitaries from government,
industry and academia, as well as families and friends of the laureates. During the ceremony, Dr. Takahasi, Dr. Friedmann andProf. Fischer each received a certificate of recognition and a commemorative gold medal. By holding the medal high, thelaureates acknowledged the applause of the packed audience. Dr. Hiroyuki Yoshikawa, Chairman of the Japan Prize
Foundation, also presented bouquets of flowers to the wives of the laureates, who were on the stage as well. In thecommemorative concert following the award presentation, the Tokyo Geidai Symphony Orchestra played numbers requested inadvance by the laureates, including movements from Mozart’ s Symphony No. 38 in D major, K. 504 “Prague,” Smetana’ssymphonic poem “Moldau” and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98. Every year, the ceremony is opened with anorchestral performance of Minoru Miki’s “Overture to Japan Prize Ceremony - Overture Japan” since 1990 - at the sixth annual
ceremony - when the internationally renowned Japanese composer dedicated the piece to Japan Prize laureates.

P R I Z E

/21

4

Presentation Ceremony

BanquetCommemorative Lectures

Japan Prize Week

Resources, Energy and Social Infrastructure" ﬁeld

"Medical Science and Medicinal Science" ﬁeld

/20

4

Welcome Reception

J A P A N

Prior to the prize presentation ceremony, Dr. Takahasi, Dr. Friedmann and Prof. Fischer gave lectures commemorating theirreceipt of the Japan Prize at Ito Hall on the campus of the University of Tokyo on April 21. Before a packed audience ofabout 300, Dr. Takahasi presented the history of river engineering in Japan with examples of flood control measures taken in
the country. He also introduced leaders who have driven progress in the field. Dr. Friedmann looked back how his innovative
concept of gene therapy has become a reality, and Prof. Fischer explained how the therapy works and its potentials as a
medical treatment beyond genetic diseases and refractory diseases. The laureates also conveyed messages to young scientists
in their respective fields. It was also revealed that the publisher of Dr. Takahasi’s book titled “Transformation of National
Land and Water-related Disasters” has decided to revive it in the wake of his winning of the Japan Prize. The book was firstpublished in 1971.

French Embassy Party（Mon.）

Courtesy Call on the Japan Academy

Courtesy Call on the Prime Minister

Commemorative Lectures（Tue.）

Congratulatory addressby H.E. Mr. Tadamori Oshima,
Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives

Dr. & Mrs.
Theodore Friedmann

Opening remarksby Dr. Yoshio Yazaki,
President of the Japan
Prize Foundation

Prof. & Mrs. Alain Fischer

Selection results
by Dr. Hiroshi Komiyama,
Chairman of the Selection
Committee

Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress
attending the commemorative concert

Commemorative concert
by the Tokyo Geidai Symphony Orchestra

Toast by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan

Opening addressby Prof. Hiroyuki Yoshikawa ,Chairman of
the Japan Prize Foundation

Acknowledgment
by Dr. Yutaka Takahasi

Congratulatory address by H.E. Mr. Masaaki Yamazaki,
President of House of Councillors

Acknowledgment
by Dr. Theodore Friedmann

Acknowledgment
by Prof. Alain Fischer

Theme

The History of the Japanese People andRiver Engineering (Dr. Yutaka Takahasi)
Dr. Takahasi began his career as a researcher at a time when Japanwas suffering a succession of major flood disasters brought about by
Typhoon Kathleen (1947) and Isewan Typhoon (1959). He
scientifically analyzed the effect that modernizations and river
improvement from the Meiji era onwards have had on water-related
disasters. The findings were published in his 1971 publication“Transformation of National Land and Water-related Disasters,”
thoroughly proposing the concepts which became the foundation of
today’ s comprehensive flood control.
At this year’ s commemorative lecture by Dr. Takahasi titled “TheHistory of the Japanese People and River Engineering,” he pointed
out that the origin of river engineering can be traced back to
mankind’ s struggle against flood disasters since ancient times.
For example, Japan’ s first full-fledged river engineering project issaid to be Shingen-zutsumi, a dike built by warlord Takeda Shingen
during the Warring States period in the 16th century. Modeled after
the Dujiangyan irrigation system built in China during the 3rd century
BC, its purpose was to prevent flood disasters in the Kofu Basin in
Shingen’ s domain, caused by overflowing of Fuji River. Dr. Takahasi
said: ” The entire Shingen-zutsumi can be seen if you climb to the topof a nearby cliff called Takaiwa. Standing here and overlooking theriver, I think Takeda Shingen came up with a strategy to allow for
natural flooding but prevent it where it was crucial.” This is in linewith the present concept of river improvement.
Dr. Takahasi then introduced Japanese experts who led theadvancement of river engineering in Japan, showing examples of theirachievements. With firm beliefs and a high sense of morality thatpublic works projects should be carried out for the benefit of mankind,the leaders engaged in heated but constructive discussions. Dr.
Takahasi reiterated the importance of exchanging opinions, sayingthat the serious debates of our predecessors served as the cornerstoneof a safer homeland.
In concluding his lecture, Dr. Takahasi urged young researchers totake the trouble of visiting rivers themselves and observe a rivercarefully through the five physical senses.

ThemeGene Therapy ‒ A 45 Year Journeyfrom Concept to a New Medicine (Dr. Friedmann)/22

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Tea Party hosted by U.S. Embassy

Academic Roundtable Discussion（Wed.）

Gene Therapy, from Primary Immunodeficiencies toDiversified Indications (Prof. Fischer)
Gene therapy is a treatment method in which genes are artificiallytransferred into patient’s cells in order to cure diseases. In 1972, Dr.
Theodore Friedmann published an important paper outlining theconcept of gene therapy and proposed a way forward in research. He
also shed light on the ethical issues surrounding gene therapy, andhas been a opinion leader on its social impact. At Dr. Friedmann’scommemorative lecture titled “Gene Therapy – A 45 Year Journeyfrom Concept to a New Medicine,” he talked about the Lesch-Nyhan
syndrome, which originally led him in the direction of gene therapy.
Dr. Friedmann hypothesized that clinical application would be apossibility if genes could be transferred efficiently and safely into
many cells at once, and went on to evaluate and systematize various
techniques. His 1972 paper, “Gene Therapy for Human Genetic
Disease?” is the result of this research, which had a huge influence on
researchers.
The first to come out with a breakthrough was the research teamled by Prof. Alain Fischer. In 1999, Prof. Fischer conducted genetherapy on patients suffering from X-linked severe combined
immunodeficiency and verified its clinical effectiveness for the firsttime. Prof. Fischer at his commemorative lecture titled “Gene
Therapy, from Primary Immunodeficiencies to Diversified
Indications” stressed the importance of developing a treatment forcongenital immunodeficiency.
Today, gene therapy is on the brink of a rapid progression. Dr.
Friedmann also introduced new possibilities in gene therapy, such as
the treatment of cancer, retinal disease and even a gene therapy based
HIV vaccine. Talking about the future, Prof. Fischer shared his visionof a “more elegant” form of gene therapy which would not onlytransfer therapeutic genes into cells, but also repair the patient’s
abnormal genes.

/23

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米国大使館パーティー
Presentation Ceremony

Banquet（Thu.）/25

4

Sightseeing in Kyoto（Sat.）In Katsura Imperial Villa

In Matsushita Shinshin-An

P H O T O S

Dr. & Mrs. Yutaka Takahasi

Following the Presentation Ceremony, a banquet was held at a hotel in Tokyo. The banquet, which was attended by more than
300 people, was opened by His Majesty the Emperor proposing a toast to the laureates. In a graceful atmosphere, with a string
quartet and a harpist playing music live in the background, the laureates sitting at the center table enjoyed the dinner andconversations with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. The banquet lasted about an hour and a half and was concluded
with a congratulatory address by Masaaki Yamazaki, President of House of Councillors, and courteous acknowledgements by thelaureates. Dr. Takahasi told how he has come to develop the concept of an integrated river basin management and expressed afeeling of gratitude toward the rich and diverse Japanese rivers that fostered his vision of nature and the Japanese homeland that
nurtured such rivers. Dr. Friedmann and Prof. Fischer, co-winners of the Medical Science and Medicinal Science award, told how
they gave birth to an innovative medicine and its potentials. Showing respect for each other, the two scientists also expressed theirappreciation for their patients and patients’ families and colleagues in the scientific community.

W E E KThe Japan Prize Presentation Ceremony was a grand occasion during the Japan Prize Week, graced with the presence of Their
Majesties the Emperor and Empress and attended by roughly 1,000 audience members including dignitaries from government,
industry and academia, as well as families and friends of the laureates. During the ceremony, Dr. Takahasi, Dr. Friedmann andProf. Fischer each received a certificate of recognition and a commemorative gold medal. By holding the medal high, thelaureates acknowledged the applause of the packed audience. Dr. Hiroyuki Yoshikawa, Chairman of the Japan Prize
Foundation, also presented bouquets of flowers to the wives of the laureates, who were on the stage as well. In thecommemorative concert following the award presentation, the Tokyo Geidai Symphony Orchestra played numbers requested inadvance by the laureates, including movements from Mozart’ s Symphony No. 38 in D major, K. 504 “Prague,” Smetana’ssymphonic poem “Moldau” and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98. Every year, the ceremony is opened with anorchestral performance of Minoru Miki’s “Overture to Japan Prize Ceremony - Overture Japan” since 1990 - at the sixth annual
ceremony - when the internationally renowned Japanese composer dedicated the piece to Japan Prize laureates.

P R I Z E

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Fields Eligible for the 2016 Japan Prize

Message from the laureate
It is truly an honor to stand before Your Majesties the Emperor andI would like to extend my thanks to the rich and diverse Japanese

Empress of Japan, distinguished guests, and representatives from various

rivers, which have fostered my vision of nature over the years, as well as

fields to receive the internationally recognized Japan Prize.

to the Japanese homeland that nurtured them.

Since I was a student in my twenties, I have been studying river

Due to the nature of my research, my findings do not receive muchengineering by conducting fieldworks on numerous floods andpublic exposure, and may seem esoteric to the general public. Therefore,water-related disasters each year. I’ve also had the privilege ofI am truly grateful to the members of the Japan Prize Foundation and theresearching rivers and water-related disasters not only in Japan but also

Selection Committee for acknowledging such a difficult subject.

around the world, including in China, Europe and the Middle East.
From these research studies, I’ve come to the conclusion that, in orderto promote river improvement policies and water resource development
and conservation, one must take a comprehensive approach that takes

Finally, I would like to express my best wishes to the Japan Prize
Foundation and hope it will continue to recognize innovative researchachievements into the future.
Yutaka Takahasi

middle reaches, and the river mouth.

Your Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, honored
guests and ladies and gentlemen.
It is with the deepest pride that I thank you and the Japan Prize
Foundation for so graciously bestowing the 2015 Japan Prize in
Medical Science and Medicinal Science on me, my colleague Alain
Fischer and the field that we represent - human gene therapy. The
Japan Prize is one of the highest honors that can come to ascientist.
Most human disease results from a combination of genetic andenvironmental factors and Medicine has certainly developed
effective biochemical and symptomatic treatments for somedisorders. However, most of humanity’s most serious diseases
including cancer, heart and neurological disease and many others
remain resistant to the traditional tools and concepts of Medicine.
We are now living through a remarkable revolution that ismaking possible entirely new understanding of disease and new
kinds of therapy that are aimed specifically at the defects in thegenetic machinery of the cell that cause disease - an approach that
we have called gene therapy.
This 2015 Japan Prize in Medical Science and Medicinal
Science recognizes this new form of specific and targeted
Medicine that allows us to attack disease at its most basic level toproduce definitive cures rather than just manage the symptoms of
disease.
I am deeply grateful for the gracious recognition by the Japan
Prize Foundation of the efforts that Dr. Fischer and I have made tohelp give birth to this new era of Medicine. We recognize that our
many colleagues, funding agencies and patients have also
contributed enormously to the development of this new kind of
Medicine.
To all of them, to the Japan Foundation and especially to Your
Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, I want to say thankyou - Doumo Arigato Gozaimasu.
Theodore Friedmann

Discoveries and inventions of new materials with nonconventional functionality and characteristics as well as of advanced production
technologies have brought about numerous technological innovations, thereby contributing greatly to the advancement of society.
For instance, we have designed and successfully synthesized artificial materials with new functions, such as semiconductors, polymers,
nano-materials, and catalysts, and discovered new natural products. We have also developed new fields of industrial engineering such as
design and manufacturing technologies supported by high-performance computers, precision measurement techniques, and robotics that
contribute to the efficiency of production process.
In order to make effective use of finite resources and build a sustainable society for the future, a new paradigm for the development ofmaterials with new functions and groundbreaking technologies for industrial design, production and operation are necessary.
The 2016 Japan Prize in the fields of “Materials and Production” will be 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 while
ensuring the sustainability of society by designing and developing materials with new functions, or by advancing the technologies forindustrial design, production and operation, that will create new products, services and industries.

considered gene therapy to be a suitable approach for correcting
X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency. This was achieved forthe first time in 1999 by using engineered retroviral vectors to insert
the therapeutic gene into the genome of hematopoietic progenitor
cells. This success was mitigated by the occurrence of unanticipatedadverse events. An international effort helped us to understand thecauses of these events and to develop a remedy that has now beenused in several centers. It thus appears that gene therapy can be usedwith a satisfactory benefit/risk ratio in a growing number of diseases.
At the Imagine Institute in Paris (which is dedicated to research on
genetic diseases), we shall continue to develop this type of approach.
Before closing, I must say a few words in acknowledgement of thelongstanding support that our patients and their families haveprovided. Their courage, enthusiasm and generosity have encouraged
us to perform this research.
Again, I would like to wholeheartedly thank the Japan Prize
Foundation for their generous attribution of this award.
Lastly, I wish to thank my family for their constant support.
Alain Fischer

www.japanprize.jp"Resources, Energy and Social Infrastructure" field

Contribution to development ofinnovative concept on river basin
management and reduction ofwater-related disasters

2015 (31st) Japan Prize Presentation CeremonyAwards were presented to three laureates from the U.S., France and Japanin the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress

Dr. Yutaka Takahasi
Born: January 28, 1927
Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo

Biological Production and Biological Environment

Background and rationale:"Medical Science and Medicinal Science" field

Achievement eligible:

Proposal of the concept of genetherapy and its clinical applications

The existence of human beings is completely dependent on the continuous and diverse use of Earth’s biological resources. In recent years, however,the biological environment of our planet, which fosters indispensable biological resources, is deteriorating rapidly. Despite many technologicalinnovations that have dramatically increased our food production capacity, the human race is set to outgrow that capacity at an even greater pace andenvironmental issues are on the rise.
In order to maintain the precious biological environment of our global society, there is an ever-growing need for development of sustainable andenvironmentally conscious biological production technologies, as well as creation of environmental technologies for the conservation of biodiversity.

The 2016 Japan Prize in the fields of “Biological Production and Biological Environment” will be awarded to individuals who
have made significant contributions to the welfare of society by achieving momentous scientific and technological breakthroughs in
the improvement of biological production of food and other useful materials to overcome hunger and poverty as well as to assure
their safety, or in the development of technologies that will measure and evaluate the effects of human activity on the environment orserve as environmental countermeasures , thereby helping to protect and conserve the biological environment and biodiversity.

The Japan Prize Foundation
The Japan Prize Foundation was established in 1982, with the aim of contributing to the further development ofscience and technology. In addition to recognizing outstanding achievements with the Japan Prize, the Foundation has
been promoting science and technology by hosting the "Easy-to-understand Science and Technology Seminars" andawarding Research Grants to help nurture young scientists.

Message from the laureate
It is a great honor to stand here this afternoon in the presence of
their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, with so many
distinguished guests and several of my dear Japanese friends andcolleagues. I feel both humbled and proud to share the award of theJapan Prize with Ted Friedmann. This award comes as recognition of
the work performed by a fantastic group of talented scientists andphysicians, with whom I have formed close personal bonds.
Following my training in pediatrics in Paris (notably with Claude
Griscelli) and in immunology in London (with Marc Feldmann andPeter Beverley), I focused my work on understanding and treating agroup of rare inherited diseases called primary immunodeficiencies.
These disorders variously lead to chronic infections, autoimmunity,
allergy, inflammation and cancer. Studying these
immunodeficiencies provided important information on the humanimmune system but also paved the way for therapeutic progress. Thatis how my field encountered gene therapy - a concept that Ted
Friedmann developed in the early 1970s. Based on our understandingof the pathophysiology of primary immunodeficiencies, mycolleagues Marina Cavazzana and Salima Hacein-Bey-Abina and I

May 2015

Background and rationale:

Area of
Life Science, Agriculture and Medicine

Message from the laureate

No. 54

Materials and Production

Achievement eligible:

Thank you.

into account the entire river basin, including the upstream source, theArea ofPhysics, Chemistry and Engineering

ARK Mori Building, East Wing 35th Floor, 1-12-32
Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-6035, JAPAN
Tel: +81-3-5545-0551 Fax: +81-3-5545-0554

Research Grants
The Foundation provides research
grants to scientists and researchers
under 35 years of age. Every year, theFoundation selects projects in the same
fields as the corresponding Japan Prizeand gives one million Japanese yen fora project. In 2015, studies in “Clean &Sustainable Energy” were added as aneligible field of study to the two fields
designated for the 2015 Japan Prize.
Including the 20 recipients in 2015, theFoundation awarded research grants to
181 young scientists since theprogram’ s inception in 2006.

“Easy-to-Understand Science andTechnology Seminars”

Stockholm International YouthScience Seminar (SIYSS)For junior and senior high school
students, the Foundation holds aseries of seminars on advanced
technologies commonly used ineveryday life by inviting Research
Grant recipients as lecturers. They
explain state-of-the-art technologies
in plain terms. The program began in
March 1989 and has since executed
252 seminars across Japan by the endof 2014.

Each year, the Japan Prize Foundation
provides an opportunity for young scientists
to exchange opinions with their peers on aninternational level by sending two students
to the Stockholm International YouthScience Seminar hosted by the Swedish
Federation of Young scientists with thesupport of the Nobel Foundation. Youngscientists from Japan and elsewhere in theworld attend various events during Nobel
Week in Stockholm. Since the program
started in 1987, the Japan Prize Foundation
has provided this valuable opportunity to 54
undergraduate/ graduate students.

Dr. Theodore Friedmann

The 2015 (31st) Japan Prize laureates were honored at an award presentation ceremony held on April 23 at the Tokyo
International Forum in Yurakucho, Tokyo, in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. The Japan Prize isawarded annually to scientists and researchers in two fields who made substantial contributions to their fields as well as society toserve the cause of peace and prosperity of mankind. Dr. Yutaka Takahasi of Japan, the laureate in the “Resources, Energy andSocial Infrastructure” field, was recognized for his contribution to “development of innovative concept on river basin
management and reduction of water-related disasters.” Dr. Theodore Friedmann of the United States and Prof. Alain Fischer ofFrance were the laureates in the “Medical Science and Medicinal Science” field for their “proposal of the concept of gene therapy
and its clinical applications.” Japan Prize laureates are selected from among the candidates who are recommended by prominent
researchers and scientists around the world. For the 2015 Japan Prize, 152 recommendations were sent in for the “Resources,
Energy and Social Infrastructure” field, and the other field received 276 recommendations. Dr. Takahasi, Dr. Friedmann andProf. Fischer were deemed well worthy of the prize after almost a year-long, fair and rigid selection process.

Born: June 16, 1935
Professor of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego,
School of Medicine

Prof. Alain Fischer
The Japan Prize is awarded to scientists and researchers, regardless ofnationality, who have made significant contributions to the progress ofscience and technology as well as society to serve the cause of peace andprosperity of mankind.

While the prize encompasses all categories of science and technology, twofields of study are designated for the prize each year in consideration ofdevelopments in science and technology. Each Japan Prize laureate receives
a certificate of merit and a prize medal. A cash prize of 50 million yen is also
awarded to each prize field.

Born: September 11, 1949
Professor at Collège de France,
Director of Institute Imagine,
Hôpital Necker-Enfants malades