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No. 44June 2010

The 2010 Japan Prize Awarded toJapanese and US Scientists
Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress
Attended the Presentation Ceremony

The 2010 (26th) Japan Prize Presentation Ceremony was held on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at the National Theatre of Japan inTokyo. The prize is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of world science andtechnology, thereby greatly furthering the cause of peace and the prosperity of mankind.
This year, there were 300 nominations in the field of "industrial production and production technology" and 248 nominations in thefield of "biological production and environment." From the total 548 nominations, the 2010 Japan Prize was awarded to two scientists.
Prof. Shun-ichi Iwasaki, who has developed a perpendicular magnetic recording which can attain higher capacity in comparison to
the conventional horizontal magnetic recording method, won the 2010 Japan Prize in the field of "industrial production andproduction technology." Prof. Peter Vitousek, who helped establish the methodology and concepts of a new research field calledbiogeochemistry, received the Prize in the field of "biological production and environment."

The Japan Prize is awarded to scientists throughout the world who
have been credited with original and outstanding achievements andhave made major contributions to the advancement of science andtechnology, thereby manifestly furthering the cause of peace and theprosperity of mankind.

While the prize encompasses all categories of science and technology,
two fields of study are designated for the prize each year 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 also madefor each prize field.

Field : Industrial Production and Production Technology

Achievement

Contributions to high-density magnetic recording technology
by the development of a perpendicular magnetic
recording method
Acceptance SpeechProf. Shun-ichi Iwasaki
Born : August 3, 1926

It is truly an honor to receive the prestigious Japan Prize together with Professor
Vitousek, here in the presence of Your Majesties, the Emperor and Empress.
The stated mission of the Science and Technology Foundation of Japan is to honor
those who have contributed to peace and prosperity in human society throughnotable and practical achievements in science and technology; and this is evident
when looking at the extraordinary winners of the past.
This prize for the perpendicular magnetic recording method is a recognition of how
it greatly increased the storage capacity of hard disks and how we were able topopularize it in society through industrial production. I and the many otherresearchers who collaborated on the project for many years consider it the ultimatehonor.
We will continue our research with the aim of contributing to the society as a true
modern convenience for many years to come.
Lastly, I would like to express my deep gratitude to President Masao Ito andChairman Hiroyuki Yoshikawa of the Science and Technology Foundation of Japan,
Selection Committee Chairman Hiroshi Komiyama and the other members of thecommittee, and all those in attendance today.

Director, Tohoku Institute of Technology
Professor Emeritus, Tohoku University

Field : Biological Production and Environment

Achievement

Contributions to solving global environmental issues basedon the analysis of nitrogen and other substances’ cycles
Acceptance SpeechProf. Peter Vitousek
Born: January 24, 1949
Professor of Biology, Stanford University

Your Majesties, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests and Colleagues, Ladies
and Gentlemen.
It is a great honor to receive the Japan Prize – one of the world’s most important
awards for science and technology – in such distinguished company.
Over the years, the Japan Prize has been awarded to many people who havechanged the world – including Professor Iwasaki, with whom I am honored to share
this occasion. I want to thank the Science and Technology Foundation of Japan forrecognizing the field of biogeochemistry as deserving of an award.
The science of biogeochemistry provides clear and compelling insight into howlarge our species looms on Earth, and into the double-edged nature of many of ouractions. This award recognizes a broad and active global research community as itturns from research that has carefully diagnosed some of the ills of the world,
towards research that assists us along a path towards health and sustainability.
My partner Professor Pamela Matson has been a leader in this transition, inresearch and in my institution, Stanford University, and I am happy that she is hereto share this occasion and our conversations. It is with great humility and gratitude
that I accept the 2010 Japan Prize for Biological Production and Environment.

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Presentation Ceremony
The Japan Prize Presentation Ceremony took place at the National Theatre of Japan, Tokyo, in presence of Their Majesties
the Emperor and Empress, and with the attendace of 1,000 guests such as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, thePresident of the House of Councillors, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan, foreign ambassadors and theirministers, and notable figures including scholars, politicians, officials, business leaders, and journalists.
Following opening remarks by Prof. Hiroyuki Yoshikawa, Chairman of the Science and Technology Foundation ofJapan, Dr. Hiroshi Komiyama, Chairman of the Selection Committee, reported on the results of the selection andintroduced the laureates. Prof. Masafumi Maeda, Chairman of the Selection Subcommittee for the "industrialproduction and production technology" field, and Prof. Kunio Iwatsuki, Chairman of the Selection Subcommittee forthe "biological production and environment" field, then explained the reasons why the laureates were chosen.
Afterwards, Dr. Masao Ito, President of the Foundation, presented the laureates with certificates of merit andcommemorative medals. After the laureates' acceptance speeches, H.E. Mr. Takahiro Yokomichi, the Speaker of theHouse of Representatives, gave a congratulatory address. The ceremony ended with a commemorative performance by
the Tokyo Geidai Student Orchestra.

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Presentation of the Award

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Citation for the Award by

H.E. Mr. Yokomichi

Prof. Yoshikawa

Dr. Komiyama

Dr. Maeda

Dr. Iwatsuki

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BanquetFollowing the presentation ceremony, a Banquet was held for the 2010 Japan Prize laureates atthe Hotel New Otani. Around 300 people were invited, including the heads of the legislative
executive, and judicial branches of government, ministers, foreign ambassadors, and otherdignitaries from various fields. His Majesty the Emperor proposed a toast in honor of thelaureates and their spouses. H.E. Mr. Satsuki Eda, the President of the House of Councillors, gavea congratulatory address on behalf of the heads of the three branches of government.
The Banquet concluded with speeches of heartfelt gratitude by the laureates.

Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress
Arrive at the Banquet Hall

Congratulatory Address by
H.E. Mr. Eda

His Majesty the Emperor with the Spousesof the Laureates

Acknowledgement by
Prof. Iwasaki

Acknowledgement by
Prof. VitousekJapan Prize Week
Monday, April 19

US Embassy Cocktail Reception

Tuesday, April 20

Visit to the Foundation Office

Academic Round Table Discussion

Thursday, April 22

Saturday, April 24

Sightseeing in Kyoto

Commemorative Lecture by Prof. Vitousek

P H O T O S

Commemorative Lecture by Prof. Iwasaki

W E E K

Courtesy Call on the Prime Minister

P R I Z E

Courtesy Call on the Japan Academy

J A P A N

Welcome Reception

2011 (27th) Japan Prize
The categories for the 2011 (27th) Japan Prizes are "information and communications" and "bioscienceand medical science." Candidates were recommended through numerous letters of nomination received by
the Foundation from all over the world. The Japan Prize Selection Committee has been organized by theFoundation and the results will be announced in January 2011. The presentation ceremony will take placein Tokyo in April 2011.

Area of Studies I: mathematics, physics, chemistry and engineering
Fields eligible for the award: Information and Communications
Background and rationale:
More than half a century after their invention, computers have developed through fusion with networking technology
to yield information and communication systems processing almost all information arising in the real world. As anindispensable social infrastructure that supports civil life as well as socio-economic activities, these systems havegreatly contributed to the further advancement of science and technology and the creation of new cultures. In view ofsuch circumstances, among other factors, the enhancement of reliability and security of information and communication
systems is becoming increasingly important in ensuring the safety and security of society and convenience in daily life.
Such new issues need to be tackled in order to develop and advance our knowledge-based society on a global scale.
Moreover, it is hoped that information and communications technologies, both in the software and hardware aspects,
will be further developed and widely disseminated.

Achievement eligible:
The 2011 Japan Prize will be awarded to honor achievements that bring about remarkable progress in science andtechnology in the field of "information and communications," and make outstanding contributions to society byimproving the safety and convenience of the lives of people through the creation of new industries, and improvement inproductivity among other innovations.

Area of Studies II: biology, agriculture and medical science
Fields eligible for the award: Bioscience and Medical Science
Background and rationale:
The progress in bioscience and medical science over the past half century has tremendously contributed to theunderstanding of biological functions, elucidation of the pathophysiology of various diseases and also to the developmentof new medical treatments and medicines. As a result, the average life expectancy has been drastically raised and thequality of life has been enhanced. However, there are still not a few diseases that are difficult to treat, and many patientsare undergoing long-term care or suffering from the residual defects resulting in instability of daily life, poverty and theincrease of burdens in the socio-economy. Furthermore, while malaria and tuberculosis are still raging, emerging andre-emerging infectious diseases including AIDS are also threatening our society. It is hoped that further progress in thefields of bioscience and medical science will help resolve these issues.

Achievement eligible:
The 2011 Japan Prize will be awarded to honor achievements that bring about remarkable progress in science andtechnology in the fields of "bioscience and medical science," and make an outstanding contribution to society in thetreatment of diseases or the improvement of human health through the understanding of biofunctions, creation orpromulgation of new medical technologies, or the development or production of new pharmaceuticals.

The Science and Technology Foundation of JapanThe Foundation was established in 1982, aiming to contribute to further development of science andtechnology. In addition to recognizing outstanding achievements with the Japan Prize, the Foundation has
been promoting knowledge and information of science and technology by hosting the "Easy-to-UnderstandScience and Technology" seminars and awarding research grants to help nurture young scientists.

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 Japan Prize of that year and awards one million Japanese yen for aproject.

“Easy-to-Understand Science and Technology” Seminars
The Foundation holds seminars on advanced science and technologies used widely in everyday life since March 1989.
In the seminars designed for students and the general public, experts in the related fields explain in plain terms thetechnologies that are also the focus of interest at that time.

Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar (SIYSS)
Under the auspices of the Swedish Federation of Young Scientists and with the support of the Nobel Foundation, theScience and Technology Foundation of Japan sends two Japanese students to the annual Stockholm International YouthScience Seminar since 1987.

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