Members of the 2007 (23rd) Japan Prize Selection Committee
Chairman

Name

Post

Nobuaki Kumagai

President of University of Hyogo, Professor Emeritus of Osaka University

FieldⅠ Innovative Devices Inspired by Basic Research
Koichi Kitazawa

Panel Chairman

Takehiko Ishiguro

Acting Chairman

Hidetoshi Fukuyama

Members〃

Tatsuo Izawa〃

Tetsuya Osaka〃

Katsuaki Sato〃

Junichi Sone〃

Kohei Tamao

Senior Executive-Director, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)Fellow, Office for Research Initiatives and Development, Doshisha University
Professor, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science
Executive Counselor, NTT Electronics Corporation
Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University
Professor, Vice President for Education, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
General Manager, Fundamental and Environmental Research Laboratories, NEC Corporation

Kunio Iwatsuki

Kazutake Kyuma

Acting Chairman

Haruhiko Fujiwara

Members

Director, The Museum of Nature and Human Activities, Hyogo
Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University, Professor Emeritus, The University of Shiga Prefecture
Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo〃

Mitsuyasu Hasebe〃

Isao Inouye〃

Aikichi Iwamoto〃

Naomasa Nakajima〃

Tohru Nakashizuka

Professor, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University

Advisors

Taiji Kikuch

Professor Emeritus, Kyushu University〃

Shinji Tsuyumu

Director, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University

Professor, The National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences
Provost, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba

Director, Research Hospital & Advanced Clinical Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science
The University of Tokyo
Vice President, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology（Title when serving on the committee）

Categories Selected for the 2008 (24th) Japan Prize

The Science and Technology Foundation of Japan announced the two categories for the 2008 (24th) Japan Prize, and determined theirdefinition as follows.
Letters have been sent to scholars and rescarchers throughout the world, requesting nominations in the fields in which the award is being
made. The selection committee will then recommend candidates to the Board of Directors of the Foundation, and make their decisions.

Field I: Information･Communications

Field II: Life Science (Medicine)

The advance and wide-spread use of computers and networks
has brought about a cyberspace heretofore unknown to humankind.
It has made the social structure flexible and promoted borderless
economic activities, extensively widening the living space ofpeople. Based on this trend, the 2008 Japan Prize will be awarded
to a researcher who has made a significant contribution to the fieldof information communication theory and technology.
This includes theory of computation, algorithm, computer
software, computer systems, computer architecture, humaninterface, Internet, search technology, information security, visualization technology, information theory, data compression, cryptology, coding theory, radio and optical communication systems,
wireless communication systems, and quantum communication.

Recent advances in genome science and molecular genetics that
disclosed 3 billion nucleotides of human genome have led us to abetter understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying various
biological phenomena. Particularly, they have contributed to thediscovery of genes responsible for or susceptible to various diseases
as well as those related to efficacy or adverse reactions of drugs.
The Japan Prize for 2008 will be awarded to a scientist who madeoutstanding achievements in the field of medical genomics andgenetics, including establishment of fundamental principle forgenetic/genomic analysis, construction of basic infrastructure likegenetic maps and genomic sequences, and development of essential
technologies.

"Information Communication Theory and Technology""Medical Genomics and Genetics "FieldⅠ Information・Communications

President, Institute of Information Security

Norihisa Doi

Professor, Department of Information and System Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University〃

Osamu Hirota

Professor and Director, Research Center for Quantum Information Science, Tamagawa University〃

Yasuyoshi Inagaki

Professor and Dean, School of Information Science and Engineering, Aichi Prefectural University〃

Kohichi Sakaniwa

Professor, Department of Communications and Integrated Systems,
Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology

Members

FieldⅡ Life Science (Mdicine)
ChairmanMembers

Ichiro Kanazawa
Yo-ichi Nabeshima〃

Yusuke Nakamura〃

Takehiko Sasazuki〃

Naoyuki Taniguchi

Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University
President, International Medical Center of Japan
Endowed Chair Professor, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University（Title when serving on the committee）

Akasaka Twin Tower East, 13th Floor, 17-22
Akasaka 2-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-0052, JAPAN
Tel. +81-3-5545-0551 Fax. +81-3-5545-0554
E-mail info@japanprize.jp
URL http://www.japanprize.jp

Scientists from France, Germany and U.K.
Awarded 2007 (23rd) Japan Prize
The Science and Technology Foundation of Japan (Chairman: Hiroyuki Yoshikawa) announced
that French, German and U.K. scientists have been named as laureates of the 2007 (23rd) Japan
Prize.
Prof. Albert Fert, 68, of France and Prof. Dr. Peter Grünberg, 67, of Germany, will receive theJapan Prize in this year's category of “Innovative Devices Inspired by Basic Research.” They
discovered the phenomenon of giant magneto-resistance (GMR) and contributed to developmentof innovative spin-electronics devices.
Dr. Peter Ashton, 72, of the U.K. will receive the Japan Prize in the category of “Science andTechnology of Harmonious Co-Existence.” He contributed to the conservation of tropical forest.
Innovative Devices Inspiredby Basic Research

Science and Technology ofHarmonious Co-Existence

Prof. Dr. P. Grünberg

Dr. P. Ashton

Japan Prize

President, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
Director, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo

No. 37January 2007

THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FOUNDATION OF JAPAN (JSTF)

Prof. A. Fert

Post

Shigeo Tsujii

Chairman

We attended the 31st Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar (SIYSS) held from December 4-10, 2006. SIYSS is a weeklong
seminar held in connection with the Nobel Prize celebrations. It was aninspiring opportunity to learn, interact with fellow students, makefriends and enjoy ourselves. The Science and Technology Foundationof Japan (JSTF) allowed us this priceless opportunity. We were very
fortunate to spend this valuable time with 22 other participants, young
student scientists from 16 different countries, and eight coordinators
2006 SIYSS family of young scientists fromfrom Sweden.
various countries
The program included attending the Nobel speeches and lectures,conversing with Nobel laureates, visits to the world-renowned universities and institutions of Sweden, andinteracting with other participants from all over the world. Opportunity to talk and learn from the vanguard ofcontemporary science and technology, and witnessing the historical award ceremony for the highest achievements, was highly inspiring and stimulating. The SIYSS symposium also provided us with a great platformto present our own research work to our fellow participants, young students and professors and researchers in
Sweden. Besides exploring science and technology, such experiences have enabled us to make international
friends as well.
The seminar ended with the Nobel Award ceremony. It was awonderful experience to be the part of the formal (award
ceremony and Nobel banquet) and informal (night cap) parts ofthis celebration. Wearing the traditional Japanese Kimono andHaori Hakama costumes during the event was highly enjoyable.
SIYSS has been a wonderful experience filled with educational, inspirational and social opportunities that will greatly
influence our scientific career and development.
With Prof. George F. Smoot (Nobel Laureate in Physics 2006)
at the Nobel Museum

Members of Fields Selection Committee
Name

In 1987, the Science and Technology Foundation of Japan (JSTF) instituted a program whichbegan sending two Japanese students to the annual Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar (SIYSS). The event is held during Nobel Prize Week as a means of promoting the international
exchange of young scientists, and is conducted under the auspices of the Swedish Federation ofYoung Scientists and with the support of the Nobel Foundation.
This year, it sent Ms. Zeenia Kaul of Intemational Christan University and Mr. Takamasa Horiuchi
of Wakayama Medical University to the 31st SIYSS. Their report follows;

Director, Frontier Research System, RIKEN

FieldⅡ Science and Technology of Harmonious Co-ExistencePanel Chairman

Japanese Students Attend
the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony

Introducing Fukuwarai, a traditional Japanese game,
during the International evening

Dressed in traditional Japanese costumes to attend the Nobel Award Ceremony

The Japan Prize is awarded to world-class scientists and technologists who were credited with original and outstanding achievements
and contributed to the advancement of science and technology,
thereby furthering the cause of peace and the prosperity of
mankind. In principle, original achievements in science andtechnology are given priority during the selection process.
No distinction is made as to nationality, occupation, race, or sex.
Only living persons may be named.

Fields of study for the prize encompass all categories of scienceand technology, with two categories designated for the prize eachyear in consideration of developments in science and technology.
Each Japan Prize laureate receives a certificate of merit and acommemorative medal. A cash award of 50 million yen is alsopresented for each prize category. The award is intended for asingle person, in principle, but small groups of researchers are also
eligible.

Inovative Devices Inspired by Basic Research
Achievement :The discovery of giant magneto-resistance(GMR) and its contribution to development of innovative spin-electronics devices

Prof. Albert Fert (France)
University of Paris-South

Prof. Dr. Peter Grünberg (Germany)

The Research Center of Solid State Physics<Summary>

Computer hard discs, which store vast amounts of memory, are improving year by year and at a faster rate than ever before. Now, however, thesememory storage discs are not limited to computers, but are also being usedin such electronic appliances as mobile music devices and video cameras.
The reason behind the great increases in memory storage capacity and therapidly diversifying use of hard discs is the discovery of giant magnetoresistance (GMR), a groundbreaking technological innovation. The men
responsible for this astonishing discovery are Prof. Albert Fert and Prof.
Dr. Peter Grünberg.
The memory storage capacity of hard discs is increasing year by year and at
an ever accelerating rate. Laptop computers in the early 1990s generally had amemory storage capacity of several dozen megabytes. Now, however, memorystorage capacity of around 100 gigabytes (one gigabyte = 1000 megabytes) isthe norm. In recent times, personal computers are able to store vast amounts ofimage and musical data, and hard discs are now able to store hours and hours of
television programs. The reason behind the great increases in memory storage
capacity of hard discs and the diverse usage of hard discs in many other types ofelectronic appliances is the development of a magnetic head which utilizes giant
magneto-resistance (GMR) effect.

The magnetic head that utilizes GMR effectHard discs use a magnetic head to store data and read it. In the hard disc is athin magnetic disc called a platter, and this records data. The platter approaches
a component known as the magnetic head, and through a process of electric
current transformation, the magnetic head reads bits (units of data) of stored
information.
To increase the storage capacity of hard discs, it is necessary to cram a large
amount of data into a small space. In order to do this, the volume of themagnetic body per bit must be reduced. However, this reduction of the volumeof the magnetic body weakens the magnetic field of each bit of data, and thismakes it difficult for the head to read the stored magnetic information.
What was required was a component that could read the weakened magnetic
field, or more specifically, a head that could convert small amounts of data into
electric signals. And this heralded the appearance of the GMR element.
In previous magnetic heads used for reading data, magneto resistance (MR)components had been used. Magneto resistance is the phenomenon of thechange to electrical resistance when subject to a magnetic field. As the electricalresistance change causes the electrical current change, the data written on thehard disk can be read by detecting the electrical current. The resistance change
ratio when using the MR component is at most only a few percent.
In contrast to this, when the GMR component is used resistance ratio rises toseveral tens of percentage. In other words, even a responsibility to a weakmagnetic field leads to a vast increase in sensitivity. This means that evenwhen a large amount of magnetic data is stored on a small sized hard disc it iseasy to read, and this has resulted in the memory storage capacity of harddiscs undergoing great improvements. Thanks to the development of themagnetic head which utilizes GMR effect in the late 1990s, the performanceand effectiveness of hard discs is being enhanced at a faster and faster rate.

The Development of GMR and the Japan Prize Winners

The departure point for GMR, which has resulted in the high density harddiscs in use today, was the discovery of Giant Magnetoresistant effect back in
the late 1980s. In 1988, Prof. Albert Fert and his team at Univercity of ParisSouth in France, discovered GMR by placing alternate layers of thin films ofiron (Fe) and chrome (Cr) and building up a multilayered film consisting ofdozens of thin film layers of both metals at the low temperature (4.2K) of
liquid helium, and noticing the highly unusual results for the time of approximately 50% magnetoresistive effect.
At the same time, an independent research project led by Prof. Dr. Peter
Grünberg at Research Center for solid state physics in Germany discovered

approximately 1% GMR effect after placing a thin film of iron both on top andbeneath a thin film layer of chrome at room temperature. The research team thenfound that when building up alternate thin film layers with transition metals (e.g.
Fe or Ni) and nonmagnetic metals, the majority of these showed GMR effect.
The landmark GMR component which proved a major breakthrough formagnetic memory is the result of discoveries made by both these researchers (theGMR component employs the characteristics of the electron spin , and is therefore
known as one of the spin electronics device, or spintronics devices).
Currently, a product that utilizes Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) is underdevelopment which will further improve Giant Magnetoresistance. The discovery
of GMR effect has, in a short period of time, greatly enhanced the memory storage
capacity and effectiveness of the hard discs used in both computers and in manyother types of electronic appliances. The fundamental research undertaken by both
Prof. Albert Fert and Prof. Dr. Peter Grünberg has made a major contribution to theadvancement of information technology. Their achievements are of inestimableimportance and richly deserve their place in the annals of scientific discovery.

Science and Technology ofHarmonious Co-Existence
Achievement : Contribution to the conservation of tropical forest

Dr. Peter Ashton (United Kingdom)Charles Bullard Professor of Forestry<Summary>

In recent times, the destruction of tropical forests has been progressing at an alarming rate. Tropical forests are a veritable treasury of adiverse array of many forms of life, and it is widely believed that the lossof this environment would have a major impact on the ecosystem of theentire planet. Dr. Peter Ashton has been awarded the 2007 Japan Prizein the category of "Science and Technology of Harmonious CoExistence" for his expansive research into the phylogenetic systemization of flora and ecological studies in the tropical forests of Southeast
Asia, and the contribution his findings have made to tropical conservation efforts.

The Current Status of Tropical Forests

Tropical forests cover large tracts of warm climate areas with vast
amounts of fall, and are primarily found in Southeast Asia, Central Africa
and Central and South America. Due to this, the forests play host to many
species of flora and fauna—although tropical forests account for only 12%of the total land area of the earth, it is believed that they are home to over
50% of all known forms of life. However, these tropical forests are now
disappearing at an alarming rate. This trend is particularly prominent inAsia—from the 1960s to the 1990s, while the world’s tropical forests weredecreasing at a rate of about 20%, the tropical forests in Asia were decreasing at a rate of approximately 30%.

Tropical Forests in Asia and Dr. Peter Ashton

Dr. Peter Ashton, the 2007 Japan Prize laureate in the category of"Science and Technology of Harmonious Co-Existence" has done much toresearch, identify and systematize the dipterocarpaceae and other species oftree prominently found in Asian forests. The dipterocarpaceae species is also
known as lauan timber, or tropical plywood, and is imported as plywood byJapan. As the trunk of this tree is straight, and it is a light yet hard wood, it isseen as a material that can be put to a diverse range of uses, and the tree has
thus been felled in large numbers. Despite being the most important tree ofthe region, its reproductive powers are relatively weak and the indiscriminate felling of this tree has had a profound impact on the tropical forests of
the Asian region. Large scale deforestation in the region is also progressing
to make way for oil palm and rubber plantations, and this is causing thedestruction of the complex ecosystem that is found in the tropical forests.
To address this situation, the Center for Tropical Forest Science (CTFS),
an affiliated facility of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, iscollaborating with other research centers to implement a long-term continual
observation project covering wide areas in 18 different locations in 14
countries in Central and South America, Central Africa and Southeast Asia.
Dr. Peter Ashton is in charge of 11 locations in the Asian region and has
been leading a team of researchers from around the world to further the

project, which reviews the observed changes on a five-yearly basis.

Establishment of the Tropical Forests Survey

The long-term continual observation project for tropical forests covers
18 different locations across the world. It is a global-scale forestry surveythat conducts continual long-term observations of tropical forests. It isthought that the project observes approximately 6,000 species encompassing some 3 million trees. Tropical forests are made up of an extremely
large number of species of tree. The reason that such a large-scale survey isnecessary is because small-area surveys would not include many trees ofthe same species and would not yield an accurate picture of the role of thetrees in the ecosystem. Such a large-scale survey, however, is an undertaking of major proportions.
Let us examine a survey that Dr. Ashton carried out with other reseachers in Malaysia. Firstly, a survey area of 50 hectares (500mX1000m) was
marked out in five-meter sections, measurements of the topographicalfeatures were taken, and a map was drawn up. Next, a tag was attached toeach tree of at least chest height and with a diameter of over 1cm todifferentiate between the species of tree; the diameter of each tree wasthen accurately measured and the species identified. These findings werethen added to the map. The area is revisited every five years with thesame operation conducted to allow the researchers to gauge the growth of
the trees and catalog those trees that are unable to survive.
To undertake such a major research project requires passion, dedicationand leadership—qualities that Dr. Ashton possesses in abundance. Since
the late 1980s, he has worked tirelessly convincing the world of the needfor an effective survey, collecting funds to finance the survey, getting thesurvey up and running, nurturing young researchers, and devoting himself
fully to the project.

Immense Contribution to the Conservation of Tropical
Forests

As has been noted, tropical forests are made up of an extremely large
number of species of tree. The trees come in a variety of shapes and sizes,
and each plays host to and supports a plethora of other life forms.
However, the trees of the secondary forests that replace the original
primary forests after deforestation has taken place lack the diversity of
their predecessors. This, in turn, adversely affects the forms of life thatmade their homes in and were supported by the trees of the primary
forest. When photographed from the air, there would appear to be little
difference between primary and secondary forests. However, for thediverse array of organisms that make their homes in the forest, thedifference is immense.
The CTFS project strives not only at raising awareness of the current
predicament faced by tropical forests and the effect that this has on thewider global environment, but also aims to encourage examination of
how people who rely on the forests for their livelihoods can interact more
harmoniously with their natural surroundings.
The vast body of ecological knowledge that Dr. Peter Ashton has
acquired over his many years of research form the foundation for thecurrent global research project, and his leadership has attracted many
talented researchers from around the world.
The contribution of Dr. Ashton to the conservation of tropical forests,
and particularly those in the Asian region, has been immeasurable. He has
gained a glowing reputation among fellow Japanese researchers as “themost trustworthy of all fellow scientists,” and his unceasing efforts

toward achieving a sustainable environment have been greeted with thehighest possible praise from the international scientific community.

Inovative Devices Inspired by Basic Research
Achievement :The discovery of giant magneto-resistance(GMR) and its contribution to development of innovative spin-electronics devices

Prof. Albert Fert (France)
University of Paris-South

Prof. Dr. Peter Grünberg (Germany)

The Research Center of Solid State Physics<Summary>

Computer hard discs, which store vast amounts of memory, are improving year by year and at a faster rate than ever before. Now, however, thesememory storage discs are not limited to computers, but are also being usedin such electronic appliances as mobile music devices and video cameras.
The reason behind the great increases in memory storage capacity and therapidly diversifying use of hard discs is the discovery of giant magnetoresistance (GMR), a groundbreaking technological innovation. The men
responsible for this astonishing discovery are Prof. Albert Fert and Prof.
Dr. Peter Grünberg.
The memory storage capacity of hard discs is increasing year by year and at
an ever accelerating rate. Laptop computers in the early 1990s generally had amemory storage capacity of several dozen megabytes. Now, however, memorystorage capacity of around 100 gigabytes (one gigabyte = 1000 megabytes) isthe norm. In recent times, personal computers are able to store vast amounts ofimage and musical data, and hard discs are now able to store hours and hours of
television programs. The reason behind the great increases in memory storage
capacity of hard discs and the diverse usage of hard discs in many other types ofelectronic appliances is the development of a magnetic head which utilizes giant
magneto-resistance (GMR) effect.

The magnetic head that utilizes GMR effectHard discs use a magnetic head to store data and read it. In the hard disc is athin magnetic disc called a platter, and this records data. The platter approaches
a component known as the magnetic head, and through a process of electric
current transformation, the magnetic head reads bits (units of data) of stored
information.
To increase the storage capacity of hard discs, it is necessary to cram a large
amount of data into a small space. In order to do this, the volume of themagnetic body per bit must be reduced. However, this reduction of the volumeof the magnetic body weakens the magnetic field of each bit of data, and thismakes it difficult for the head to read the stored magnetic information.
What was required was a component that could read the weakened magnetic
field, or more specifically, a head that could convert small amounts of data into
electric signals. And this heralded the appearance of the GMR element.
In previous magnetic heads used for reading data, magneto resistance (MR)components had been used. Magneto resistance is the phenomenon of thechange to electrical resistance when subject to a magnetic field. As the electricalresistance change causes the electrical current change, the data written on thehard disk can be read by detecting the electrical current. The resistance change
ratio when using the MR component is at most only a few percent.
In contrast to this, when the GMR component is used resistance ratio rises toseveral tens of percentage. In other words, even a responsibility to a weakmagnetic field leads to a vast increase in sensitivity. This means that evenwhen a large amount of magnetic data is stored on a small sized hard disc it iseasy to read, and this has resulted in the memory storage capacity of harddiscs undergoing great improvements. Thanks to the development of themagnetic head which utilizes GMR effect in the late 1990s, the performanceand effectiveness of hard discs is being enhanced at a faster and faster rate.

The Development of GMR and the Japan Prize Winners

The departure point for GMR, which has resulted in the high density harddiscs in use today, was the discovery of Giant Magnetoresistant effect back in
the late 1980s. In 1988, Prof. Albert Fert and his team at Univercity of ParisSouth in France, discovered GMR by placing alternate layers of thin films ofiron (Fe) and chrome (Cr) and building up a multilayered film consisting ofdozens of thin film layers of both metals at the low temperature (4.2K) of
liquid helium, and noticing the highly unusual results for the time of approximately 50% magnetoresistive effect.
At the same time, an independent research project led by Prof. Dr. Peter
Grünberg at Research Center for solid state physics in Germany discovered

approximately 1% GMR effect after placing a thin film of iron both on top andbeneath a thin film layer of chrome at room temperature. The research team thenfound that when building up alternate thin film layers with transition metals (e.g.
Fe or Ni) and nonmagnetic metals, the majority of these showed GMR effect.
The landmark GMR component which proved a major breakthrough formagnetic memory is the result of discoveries made by both these researchers (theGMR component employs the characteristics of the electron spin , and is therefore
known as one of the spin electronics device, or spintronics devices).
Currently, a product that utilizes Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) is underdevelopment which will further improve Giant Magnetoresistance. The discovery
of GMR effect has, in a short period of time, greatly enhanced the memory storage
capacity and effectiveness of the hard discs used in both computers and in manyother types of electronic appliances. The fundamental research undertaken by both
Prof. Albert Fert and Prof. Dr. Peter Grünberg has made a major contribution to theadvancement of information technology. Their achievements are of inestimableimportance and richly deserve their place in the annals of scientific discovery.

Science and Technology ofHarmonious Co-Existence
Achievement : Contribution to the conservation of tropical forest

Dr. Peter Ashton (United Kingdom)Charles Bullard Professor of Forestry<Summary>

In recent times, the destruction of tropical forests has been progressing at an alarming rate. Tropical forests are a veritable treasury of adiverse array of many forms of life, and it is widely believed that the lossof this environment would have a major impact on the ecosystem of theentire planet. Dr. Peter Ashton has been awarded the 2007 Japan Prizein the category of "Science and Technology of Harmonious CoExistence" for his expansive research into the phylogenetic systemization of flora and ecological studies in the tropical forests of Southeast
Asia, and the contribution his findings have made to tropical conservation efforts.

The Current Status of Tropical Forests

Tropical forests cover large tracts of warm climate areas with vast
amounts of fall, and are primarily found in Southeast Asia, Central Africa
and Central and South America. Due to this, the forests play host to many
species of flora and fauna—although tropical forests account for only 12%of the total land area of the earth, it is believed that they are home to over
50% of all known forms of life. However, these tropical forests are now
disappearing at an alarming rate. This trend is particularly prominent inAsia—from the 1960s to the 1990s, while the world’s tropical forests weredecreasing at a rate of about 20%, the tropical forests in Asia were decreasing at a rate of approximately 30%.

Tropical Forests in Asia and Dr. Peter Ashton

Dr. Peter Ashton, the 2007 Japan Prize laureate in the category of"Science and Technology of Harmonious Co-Existence" has done much toresearch, identify and systematize the dipterocarpaceae and other species oftree prominently found in Asian forests. The dipterocarpaceae species is also
known as lauan timber, or tropical plywood, and is imported as plywood byJapan. As the trunk of this tree is straight, and it is a light yet hard wood, it isseen as a material that can be put to a diverse range of uses, and the tree has
thus been felled in large numbers. Despite being the most important tree ofthe region, its reproductive powers are relatively weak and the indiscriminate felling of this tree has had a profound impact on the tropical forests of
the Asian region. Large scale deforestation in the region is also progressing
to make way for oil palm and rubber plantations, and this is causing thedestruction of the complex ecosystem that is found in the tropical forests.
To address this situation, the Center for Tropical Forest Science (CTFS),
an affiliated facility of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, iscollaborating with other research centers to implement a long-term continual
observation project covering wide areas in 18 different locations in 14
countries in Central and South America, Central Africa and Southeast Asia.
Dr. Peter Ashton is in charge of 11 locations in the Asian region and has
been leading a team of researchers from around the world to further the

project, which reviews the observed changes on a five-yearly basis.

Establishment of the Tropical Forests Survey

The long-term continual observation project for tropical forests covers
18 different locations across the world. It is a global-scale forestry surveythat conducts continual long-term observations of tropical forests. It isthought that the project observes approximately 6,000 species encompassing some 3 million trees. Tropical forests are made up of an extremely
large number of species of tree. The reason that such a large-scale survey isnecessary is because small-area surveys would not include many trees ofthe same species and would not yield an accurate picture of the role of thetrees in the ecosystem. Such a large-scale survey, however, is an undertaking of major proportions.
Let us examine a survey that Dr. Ashton carried out with other reseachers in Malaysia. Firstly, a survey area of 50 hectares (500mX1000m) was
marked out in five-meter sections, measurements of the topographicalfeatures were taken, and a map was drawn up. Next, a tag was attached toeach tree of at least chest height and with a diameter of over 1cm todifferentiate between the species of tree; the diameter of each tree wasthen accurately measured and the species identified. These findings werethen added to the map. The area is revisited every five years with thesame operation conducted to allow the researchers to gauge the growth of
the trees and catalog those trees that are unable to survive.
To undertake such a major research project requires passion, dedicationand leadership—qualities that Dr. Ashton possesses in abundance. Since
the late 1980s, he has worked tirelessly convincing the world of the needfor an effective survey, collecting funds to finance the survey, getting thesurvey up and running, nurturing young researchers, and devoting himself
fully to the project.

Immense Contribution to the Conservation of Tropical
Forests

As has been noted, tropical forests are made up of an extremely large
number of species of tree. The trees come in a variety of shapes and sizes,
and each plays host to and supports a plethora of other life forms.
However, the trees of the secondary forests that replace the original
primary forests after deforestation has taken place lack the diversity of
their predecessors. This, in turn, adversely affects the forms of life thatmade their homes in and were supported by the trees of the primary
forest. When photographed from the air, there would appear to be little
difference between primary and secondary forests. However, for thediverse array of organisms that make their homes in the forest, thedifference is immense.
The CTFS project strives not only at raising awareness of the current
predicament faced by tropical forests and the effect that this has on thewider global environment, but also aims to encourage examination of
how people who rely on the forests for their livelihoods can interact more
harmoniously with their natural surroundings.
The vast body of ecological knowledge that Dr. Peter Ashton has
acquired over his many years of research form the foundation for thecurrent global research project, and his leadership has attracted many
talented researchers from around the world.
The contribution of Dr. Ashton to the conservation of tropical forests,
and particularly those in the Asian region, has been immeasurable. He has
gained a glowing reputation among fellow Japanese researchers as “themost trustworthy of all fellow scientists,” and his unceasing efforts

toward achieving a sustainable environment have been greeted with thehighest possible praise from the international scientific community.

Members of the 2007 (23rd) Japan Prize Selection Committee
Chairman

Name

Post

Nobuaki Kumagai

President of University of Hyogo, Professor Emeritus of Osaka University

FieldⅠ Innovative Devices Inspired by Basic Research
Koichi Kitazawa

Panel Chairman

Takehiko Ishiguro

Acting Chairman

Hidetoshi Fukuyama

Members〃

Tatsuo Izawa〃

Tetsuya Osaka〃

Katsuaki Sato〃

Junichi Sone〃

Kohei Tamao

Senior Executive-Director, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)Fellow, Office for Research Initiatives and Development, Doshisha University
Professor, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science
Executive Counselor, NTT Electronics Corporation
Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University
Professor, Vice President for Education, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
General Manager, Fundamental and Environmental Research Laboratories, NEC Corporation

Kunio Iwatsuki

Kazutake Kyuma

Acting Chairman

Haruhiko Fujiwara

Members

Director, The Museum of Nature and Human Activities, Hyogo
Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University, Professor Emeritus, The University of Shiga Prefecture
Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo〃

Mitsuyasu Hasebe〃

Isao Inouye〃

Aikichi Iwamoto〃

Naomasa Nakajima〃

Tohru Nakashizuka

Professor, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University

Advisors

Taiji Kikuch

Professor Emeritus, Kyushu University〃

Shinji Tsuyumu

Director, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University

Professor, The National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences
Provost, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba

Director, Research Hospital & Advanced Clinical Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science
The University of Tokyo
Vice President, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology（Title when serving on the committee）

Categories Selected for the 2008 (24th) Japan Prize

The Science and Technology Foundation of Japan announced the two categories for the 2008 (24th) Japan Prize, and determined theirdefinition as follows.
Letters have been sent to scholars and rescarchers throughout the world, requesting nominations in the fields in which the award is being
made. The selection committee will then recommend candidates to the Board of Directors of the Foundation, and make their decisions.

Field I: Information･Communications

Field II: Life Science (Medicine)

The advance and wide-spread use of computers and networks
has brought about a cyberspace heretofore unknown to humankind.
It has made the social structure flexible and promoted borderless
economic activities, extensively widening the living space ofpeople. Based on this trend, the 2008 Japan Prize will be awarded
to a researcher who has made a significant contribution to the fieldof information communication theory and technology.
This includes theory of computation, algorithm, computer
software, computer systems, computer architecture, humaninterface, Internet, search technology, information security, visualization technology, information theory, data compression, cryptology, coding theory, radio and optical communication systems,
wireless communication systems, and quantum communication.

Recent advances in genome science and molecular genetics that
disclosed 3 billion nucleotides of human genome have led us to abetter understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying various
biological phenomena. Particularly, they have contributed to thediscovery of genes responsible for or susceptible to various diseases
as well as those related to efficacy or adverse reactions of drugs.
The Japan Prize for 2008 will be awarded to a scientist who madeoutstanding achievements in the field of medical genomics andgenetics, including establishment of fundamental principle forgenetic/genomic analysis, construction of basic infrastructure likegenetic maps and genomic sequences, and development of essential
technologies.

"Information Communication Theory and Technology""Medical Genomics and Genetics "FieldⅠ Information・Communications

President, Institute of Information Security

Norihisa Doi

Professor, Department of Information and System Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University〃

Osamu Hirota

Professor and Director, Research Center for Quantum Information Science, Tamagawa University〃

Yasuyoshi Inagaki

Professor and Dean, School of Information Science and Engineering, Aichi Prefectural University〃

Kohichi Sakaniwa

Professor, Department of Communications and Integrated Systems,
Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology

Members

FieldⅡ Life Science (Mdicine)
ChairmanMembers

Ichiro Kanazawa
Yo-ichi Nabeshima〃

Yusuke Nakamura〃

Takehiko Sasazuki〃

Naoyuki Taniguchi

Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University
President, International Medical Center of Japan
Endowed Chair Professor, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University（Title when serving on the committee）

Akasaka Twin Tower East, 13th Floor, 17-22
Akasaka 2-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-0052, JAPAN
Tel. +81-3-5545-0551 Fax. +81-3-5545-0554
E-mail info@japanprize.jp
URL http://www.japanprize.jp

Scientists from France, Germany and U.K.
Awarded 2007 (23rd) Japan Prize
The Science and Technology Foundation of Japan (Chairman: Hiroyuki Yoshikawa) announced
that French, German and U.K. scientists have been named as laureates of the 2007 (23rd) Japan
Prize.
Prof. Albert Fert, 68, of France and Prof. Dr. Peter Grünberg, 67, of Germany, will receive theJapan Prize in this year's category of “Innovative Devices Inspired by Basic Research.” They
discovered the phenomenon of giant magneto-resistance (GMR) and contributed to developmentof innovative spin-electronics devices.
Dr. Peter Ashton, 72, of the U.K. will receive the Japan Prize in the category of “Science andTechnology of Harmonious Co-Existence.” He contributed to the conservation of tropical forest.
Innovative Devices Inspiredby Basic Research

Science and Technology ofHarmonious Co-Existence

Prof. Dr. P. Grünberg

Dr. P. Ashton

Japan Prize

President, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
Director, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo

No. 37January 2007

THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FOUNDATION OF JAPAN (JSTF)

Prof. A. Fert

Post

Shigeo Tsujii

Chairman

We attended the 31st Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar (SIYSS) held from December 4-10, 2006. SIYSS is a weeklong
seminar held in connection with the Nobel Prize celebrations. It was aninspiring opportunity to learn, interact with fellow students, makefriends and enjoy ourselves. The Science and Technology Foundationof Japan (JSTF) allowed us this priceless opportunity. We were very
fortunate to spend this valuable time with 22 other participants, young
student scientists from 16 different countries, and eight coordinators
2006 SIYSS family of young scientists fromfrom Sweden.
various countries
The program included attending the Nobel speeches and lectures,conversing with Nobel laureates, visits to the world-renowned universities and institutions of Sweden, andinteracting with other participants from all over the world. Opportunity to talk and learn from the vanguard ofcontemporary science and technology, and witnessing the historical award ceremony for the highest achievements, was highly inspiring and stimulating. The SIYSS symposium also provided us with a great platformto present our own research work to our fellow participants, young students and professors and researchers in
Sweden. Besides exploring science and technology, such experiences have enabled us to make international
friends as well.
The seminar ended with the Nobel Award ceremony. It was awonderful experience to be the part of the formal (award
ceremony and Nobel banquet) and informal (night cap) parts ofthis celebration. Wearing the traditional Japanese Kimono andHaori Hakama costumes during the event was highly enjoyable.
SIYSS has been a wonderful experience filled with educational, inspirational and social opportunities that will greatly
influence our scientific career and development.
With Prof. George F. Smoot (Nobel Laureate in Physics 2006)
at the Nobel Museum

Members of Fields Selection Committee
Name

In 1987, the Science and Technology Foundation of Japan (JSTF) instituted a program whichbegan sending two Japanese students to the annual Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar (SIYSS). The event is held during Nobel Prize Week as a means of promoting the international
exchange of young scientists, and is conducted under the auspices of the Swedish Federation ofYoung Scientists and with the support of the Nobel Foundation.
This year, it sent Ms. Zeenia Kaul of Intemational Christan University and Mr. Takamasa Horiuchi
of Wakayama Medical University to the 31st SIYSS. Their report follows;

Director, Frontier Research System, RIKEN

FieldⅡ Science and Technology of Harmonious Co-ExistencePanel Chairman

Japanese Students Attend
the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony

Introducing Fukuwarai, a traditional Japanese game,
during the International evening

Dressed in traditional Japanese costumes to attend the Nobel Award Ceremony

The Japan Prize is awarded to world-class scientists and technologists who were credited with original and outstanding achievements
and contributed to the advancement of science and technology,
thereby furthering the cause of peace and the prosperity of
mankind. In principle, original achievements in science andtechnology are given priority during the selection process.
No distinction is made as to nationality, occupation, race, or sex.
Only living persons may be named.

Fields of study for the prize encompass all categories of scienceand technology, with two categories designated for the prize eachyear in consideration of developments in science and technology.
Each Japan Prize laureate receives a certificate of merit and acommemorative medal. A cash award of 50 million yen is alsopresented for each prize category. The award is intended for asingle person, in principle, but small groups of researchers are also
eligible.

Members of the 2007 (23rd) Japan Prize Selection Committee
Chairman

Name

Post

Nobuaki Kumagai

President of University of Hyogo, Professor Emeritus of Osaka University

FieldⅠ Innovative Devices Inspired by Basic Research
Koichi Kitazawa

Panel Chairman

Takehiko Ishiguro

Acting Chairman

Hidetoshi Fukuyama

Members〃

Tatsuo Izawa〃

Tetsuya Osaka〃

Katsuaki Sato〃

Junichi Sone〃

Kohei Tamao

Senior Executive-Director, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)Fellow, Office for Research Initiatives and Development, Doshisha University
Professor, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science
Executive Counselor, NTT Electronics Corporation
Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University
Professor, Vice President for Education, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
General Manager, Fundamental and Environmental Research Laboratories, NEC Corporation

Kunio Iwatsuki

Kazutake Kyuma

Acting Chairman

Haruhiko Fujiwara

Members

Director, The Museum of Nature and Human Activities, Hyogo
Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University, Professor Emeritus, The University of Shiga Prefecture
Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo〃

Mitsuyasu Hasebe〃

Isao Inouye〃

Aikichi Iwamoto〃

Naomasa Nakajima〃

Tohru Nakashizuka

Professor, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University

Advisors

Taiji Kikuch

Professor Emeritus, Kyushu University〃

Shinji Tsuyumu

Director, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University

Professor, The National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences
Provost, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba

Director, Research Hospital & Advanced Clinical Research Center, The Institute of Medical Science
The University of Tokyo
Vice President, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology（Title when serving on the committee）

Categories Selected for the 2008 (24th) Japan Prize

The Science and Technology Foundation of Japan announced the two categories for the 2008 (24th) Japan Prize, and determined theirdefinition as follows.
Letters have been sent to scholars and rescarchers throughout the world, requesting nominations in the fields in which the award is being
made. The selection committee will then recommend candidates to the Board of Directors of the Foundation, and make their decisions.

Field I: Information･Communications

Field II: Life Science (Medicine)

The advance and wide-spread use of computers and networks
has brought about a cyberspace heretofore unknown to humankind.
It has made the social structure flexible and promoted borderless
economic activities, extensively widening the living space ofpeople. Based on this trend, the 2008 Japan Prize will be awarded
to a researcher who has made a significant contribution to the fieldof information communication theory and technology.
This includes theory of computation, algorithm, computer
software, computer systems, computer architecture, humaninterface, Internet, search technology, information security, visualization technology, information theory, data compression, cryptology, coding theory, radio and optical communication systems,
wireless communication systems, and quantum communication.

Recent advances in genome science and molecular genetics that
disclosed 3 billion nucleotides of human genome have led us to abetter understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying various
biological phenomena. Particularly, they have contributed to thediscovery of genes responsible for or susceptible to various diseases
as well as those related to efficacy or adverse reactions of drugs.
The Japan Prize for 2008 will be awarded to a scientist who madeoutstanding achievements in the field of medical genomics andgenetics, including establishment of fundamental principle forgenetic/genomic analysis, construction of basic infrastructure likegenetic maps and genomic sequences, and development of essential
technologies.

"Information Communication Theory and Technology""Medical Genomics and Genetics "FieldⅠ Information・Communications

President, Institute of Information Security

Norihisa Doi

Professor, Department of Information and System Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University〃

Osamu Hirota

Professor and Director, Research Center for Quantum Information Science, Tamagawa University〃

Yasuyoshi Inagaki

Professor and Dean, School of Information Science and Engineering, Aichi Prefectural University〃

Kohichi Sakaniwa

Professor, Department of Communications and Integrated Systems,
Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology

Members

FieldⅡ Life Science (Mdicine)
ChairmanMembers

Ichiro Kanazawa
Yo-ichi Nabeshima〃

Yusuke Nakamura〃

Takehiko Sasazuki〃

Naoyuki Taniguchi

Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University
President, International Medical Center of Japan
Endowed Chair Professor, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University（Title when serving on the committee）

Akasaka Twin Tower East, 13th Floor, 17-22
Akasaka 2-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-0052, JAPAN
Tel. +81-3-5545-0551 Fax. +81-3-5545-0554
E-mail info@japanprize.jp
URL http://www.japanprize.jp

Scientists from France, Germany and U.K.
Awarded 2007 (23rd) Japan Prize
The Science and Technology Foundation of Japan (Chairman: Hiroyuki Yoshikawa) announced
that French, German and U.K. scientists have been named as laureates of the 2007 (23rd) Japan
Prize.
Prof. Albert Fert, 68, of France and Prof. Dr. Peter Grünberg, 67, of Germany, will receive theJapan Prize in this year's category of “Innovative Devices Inspired by Basic Research.” They
discovered the phenomenon of giant magneto-resistance (GMR) and contributed to developmentof innovative spin-electronics devices.
Dr. Peter Ashton, 72, of the U.K. will receive the Japan Prize in the category of “Science andTechnology of Harmonious Co-Existence.” He contributed to the conservation of tropical forest.
Innovative Devices Inspiredby Basic Research

Science and Technology ofHarmonious Co-Existence

Prof. Dr. P. Grünberg

Dr. P. Ashton

Japan Prize

President, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
Director, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo

No. 37January 2007

THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FOUNDATION OF JAPAN (JSTF)

Prof. A. Fert

Post

Shigeo Tsujii

Chairman

We attended the 31st Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar (SIYSS) held from December 4-10, 2006. SIYSS is a weeklong
seminar held in connection with the Nobel Prize celebrations. It was aninspiring opportunity to learn, interact with fellow students, makefriends and enjoy ourselves. The Science and Technology Foundationof Japan (JSTF) allowed us this priceless opportunity. We were very
fortunate to spend this valuable time with 22 other participants, young
student scientists from 16 different countries, and eight coordinators
2006 SIYSS family of young scientists fromfrom Sweden.
various countries
The program included attending the Nobel speeches and lectures,conversing with Nobel laureates, visits to the world-renowned universities and institutions of Sweden, andinteracting with other participants from all over the world. Opportunity to talk and learn from the vanguard ofcontemporary science and technology, and witnessing the historical award ceremony for the highest achievements, was highly inspiring and stimulating. The SIYSS symposium also provided us with a great platformto present our own research work to our fellow participants, young students and professors and researchers in
Sweden. Besides exploring science and technology, such experiences have enabled us to make international
friends as well.
The seminar ended with the Nobel Award ceremony. It was awonderful experience to be the part of the formal (award
ceremony and Nobel banquet) and informal (night cap) parts ofthis celebration. Wearing the traditional Japanese Kimono andHaori Hakama costumes during the event was highly enjoyable.
SIYSS has been a wonderful experience filled with educational, inspirational and social opportunities that will greatly
influence our scientific career and development.
With Prof. George F. Smoot (Nobel Laureate in Physics 2006)
at the Nobel Museum

Members of Fields Selection Committee
Name

In 1987, the Science and Technology Foundation of Japan (JSTF) instituted a program whichbegan sending two Japanese students to the annual Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar (SIYSS). The event is held during Nobel Prize Week as a means of promoting the international
exchange of young scientists, and is conducted under the auspices of the Swedish Federation ofYoung Scientists and with the support of the Nobel Foundation.
This year, it sent Ms. Zeenia Kaul of Intemational Christan University and Mr. Takamasa Horiuchi
of Wakayama Medical University to the 31st SIYSS. Their report follows;

Director, Frontier Research System, RIKEN

FieldⅡ Science and Technology of Harmonious Co-ExistencePanel Chairman

Japanese Students Attend
the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony

Introducing Fukuwarai, a traditional Japanese game,
during the International evening

Dressed in traditional Japanese costumes to attend the Nobel Award Ceremony

The Japan Prize is awarded to world-class scientists and technologists who were credited with original and outstanding achievements
and contributed to the advancement of science and technology,
thereby furthering the cause of peace and the prosperity of
mankind. In principle, original achievements in science andtechnology are given priority during the selection process.
No distinction is made as to nationality, occupation, race, or sex.
Only living persons may be named.

Fields of study for the prize encompass all categories of scienceand technology, with two categories designated for the prize eachyear in consideration of developments in science and technology.
Each Japan Prize laureate receives a certificate of merit and acommemorative medal. A cash award of 50 million yen is alsopresented for each prize category. The award is intended for asingle person, in principle, but small groups of researchers are also
eligible.