THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FOUNDATION OF JAPAN (JSTF)
Shisei-kaikan 5F, 1-3, Hibiya-koen,
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100Japan
Telephone: 03-508-7691

December 1986

No.3

JAPANPRIZE
NewsAward Categories for 4th Japan Prize Announced
A unique feature of the Japan Prize is the selection each year of specific categories ofresearch from which Laureates are chosen.
On 4 November 1986 the Science and Technology Foundation of Japan announced theaward categories for the 4th Japan Prize, to be presented in 1988. The categories are:Energy Technology

The term "Energy Technology" includes the technological fields of production, storage, conversion,transmission and consumption of energy. As well as
its production from nuclear fission and fusion, thesun, winds, tides and waves, and the use of geothermal sources, it covers energy conservation.

Preventative Medicine

The term "Preventative Medicine" should be interpreted in its widest sense as being applicable to diseases caused by external agents such as pathogenic
microorganisms, toxic substances, etc. as well as thosearising from conditions such as metabolic disorders,senility, carcinogenesis, etc. Major contributions, suchas causative agent identification or pathogenic
mechanism elucidation, should be considered as being included in this category.

JAPAN PRIZE

JAPAN PRIZE-To Promote the Prosperity ofMankind and World Peace
How the Categories for 1988
Were Selected
Since the selection of appropriate a1:eas of research
is of tremendous significance, leading to the eventual selection of worthy Laureates, the Foundation last
July organized a Category Selection Committee
headed by Ryogo Kubo, former chairman of theScience Council of Japan. The committee deliberated
for four months before announcing its results.
After exchanging opinions about the potential
fields for the Japan Prize, each member was asked tomake his recommendations. A total of 140 categories
were selected, with some overlap.
These recommendations were then evaluated andsystematically arranged by the committee, with consideration given to world trends in new scientifictechnologies, diversified studies and social impact.
Subsequently, Energy Technology and Preventive
Medicine were chosen as the most appropriate subjects for the 4th Japan Prize in 1988.
The award categories for the first three Japan
Prizes were as follows:
1st (1985) : Information & Communication;
Medical Engineering and Biotechnology
2nd (1986) : Materials Science & Technology;Medical Technology.
3rd (1987): Improvement of Biological Functions; Electro Optics.

Why the Categories Were Selected
Following the recommendations of the Award
Categon; Committee for the 4th Japan Prize, its
chairman, Ryugo Kubo, was asked about the selection process.

Q: What do you think of the current policy of an-nually changing the areas in which awards arepresented?
A: The policy of not restricting the Japan Prize tothe same two areas of endeavor each year has its
advantages because it allows one to pick out thereally outstanding breakthroughs in science andtechnology. On the other hand, since scienceand technology are so diversified, it is very
difficult to compare achievement in one field
against achievement in another.
A second approach is to pick out the most significant endeavors of the day-those that arecontributing to man's future. This is the method
we used on this occasion.
However, I am inclined to adopt a flexible
approach to the way fields are chosen, and feelthat a combination of the two approaches may
best serve our purpose.
Q: Science can basically be divided into the physi-

cal and biological sciences. Was the selection ofthis year's fields of research based along theselines?
A: It does of course make sense to divide scienceand technology into these broad categories;
however, the relative weight and importance of
these fields is not comparable, and, moreover,the dividing line between them is not necessarily
distinct. Since future developments in advanced
science and technology lie over the horizon, thedistinction between physical and biologicalsciences does not have much significance. For. example, current developments in medical technology depend much upon the fruits of develop-ments in physics and chemistry.
Q: Could you tell us about the reasons for selecting
Energy Technology and Preventive Medicine as
the two award categories for the 4th Japan Prize?
A: Although the energy crisis has subsided andthe urgent need for development of new energy
sources has become less critical, natural sourcesof energy are limited while energy consumption
is increasing continuously. The search for new
sources of energy and the study of conservation
techniques are the most important issues related
to the survival of mankind.
However, energy research is currently based onmodest grass-roots studies, and lacks any radically new ideas, and the selection of candidates isnot easy. However, because it is closely related
to society and economic development, we havesought to look at it from a long-term point of view.
Preventive medicine is a subject far removed
from my own profession so I am not in a position
to make a relevant comment; yet everyone is aware that prevention of disease is as important ormore important than the cure.
As preventive medicine is recognized as having
high importance from the standpoint of humanhappiness and welfare, this field has been attracting special attention in recent years. It can be said
that this field may somewhat overlap with themedical and physiological awards of the Nobel
Prize, but there should be a way of appraising itfrom a different angle of observation.
(Former chairman of the Science Council of Japan;
received the Order of Cultural Merits in 1973.)
2

JAPAN PRIZE

Reflections on the Beginningsof the Japan Prize
Reiji Natori
Chainnan of the Advisory Council

In March 1983, I accepted a seat as a councillor ofa body known as the Japan Prize Preparatory
Foundation. The Foundation (later to be known as
the Science and Technology Foundation of Japan)
was assigned the task of formulating the JapanPrize.
We decided to model the Prize on the Nobel Prize,
which was first awarded in 1901, and which has
since become the most prestigious prize in theworld. Mr. Kisaburo Yokota, chairman of theFoundation, took the initial step of seeking the advice of the Nobel Foundation. As a result, the twoPrizes are now linked together in a spirit of friendship and cooperation.
The Japanese government was very much interested in the creation of what was the first major international prize to be established in Japan, and madethe unprecedented announcement that relevant
government agencies would offer whatever cooperation necessary in the formulation of the Prize.
The Foundation made plans to present the first
award in 1985, timed to coincide with the Science
Exposition '85 at Tsukuba, north of Tokyo. I am gladto say that we were able to accomplish this, and thefirst presentation ceremony took place auspiciously

Members of the Category Selection
Committee
Chairman:
Ryogo Kubo (Professor, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University)
Vice-chairman:
Saburo Nagakura (President, Okazaki National ResearchInstitute)Members:
Takashi Sugimura (President, National Cancer Center)
Shuntaro Ito (Professor, Faculty of Technology, Universityof Tokyo)
Takemochi Ishii (Professor, Faculty of Technology,University of Tokyo)
Hiroshi Harada (Professor, Institute of Biological Science,
University of Tsukuba)
Shigeru Kimura (Managing Director, Satellite Channels
Inc. )
Masanori Moritani (Associate Director, Technology
Research Dept ., Nomura Research Institute)
Eiichi G oto (Professor, Faculty of Science, University ofTokyo)
Toshiaki Ikoma (Professor, Institute of Industrial Science,
University of Tokyo)
Hiroki Matsuo (Professor, Space Systems Engineering,
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science)
Saburo Nagano (Professor, College of Arts and Sciences,
University of Tokyo)Gunji S aito (Assistant Professor, Institute for Solid StaticPhysics, University of Tokyo)
Susumu Nishimura (Chief, Biophysics Division, NationalCancer Center Research Institute)
Akira Ohya (Director, Virus Rickettsia, Dept ., National Institute of Health)
Fumimaro Takaku(Professor, 3rd Dept . of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo)
Toru Kodama (Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tokyo)
Soichi Arai (Assistant Professor, Faculty of Agriculture,
University of Tokyo)

3in the presence of Japan's Crown Prince andPrincess. As I listened to the congratulatory messages of Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, Mr. S.
Ramel, executive chairman of the Board of Trustees
for the Nobel Foundation, and others, I was deeply
moved, as I realized that the efforts of many people
concerned had finally borne fruit.
Since then, the Foundation has grown steadily.
The second award ceremony was held in April 1986,and deliberations on the third are now in progress.
The success of this program so far can be attributed
to the cooperation and support of all involved; forthis I would like to express my deepest gratitude asa councillor.
I believe that the truly difficult part of our workawaits us in the future. We need always to remindourselves of the ultimate goal of the Japan Prize,
which is to contribute to the peace and prosperity of
mankind through the progress of science and technology. We must dedicate ourselves wholeheartedly
to fulfilling this goal.
(Chairman of Councillors, Executive Director of theJikei University School of Medicine. Mr. Natori wasawarded an Order of Cultural Merits in 1986.)

The 3rd Japan PrizeAward Ceremony
The Japan Prize Selection Committee is currently
studying the list of nominees for the 3rd Japan Prize.
It will announce the two Laureates in mid-February
1987.
The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on
Tuesday, 14 April, 1987, at the National Theater inTokyo. It will be part of a Japan Prize Week that will
include lectures and conferences in honor of thewinners.

Nomination of Candidates for the4th Japan Prize
Having completed the selection of the award
categories for the 4th Japan Prize in 1988, the Foundation is planning to send letters to distinguishedscholars around the world, requesting them tonominate appropriate candidates.
The deadline for nominations is 30 April 1987. TheFoundation urges you to take the opportunity tonominate someone you think is deserving of theJapan Prize.

Cover photos: Courtesy of Japan Atomic Energy Relations
Organization, New Energy Development Organization, Electrotechnical Laboratory and Matsushita Memorial Hospital.

JAPAN PRIZE

The Japan Prize and the Science andTechnology Foundation of JapanI

The Japan Prize

IThe Japan Prize is awarded for outstandingachievements in the fields of science and technology.
It honors those whose work has contributed to thepeace, happiness, and prosperity of mankind.
Each year, two specific areas of research are selected and candidates chosen from each . The Foundation asks distinguished scholars around the world tonominate a list of candidates.
The Prize is normally awarded to individuals,
although groups of less than five are considered candidates. There are no restrictions as to race, creed, orcolor.
Each Japan Prize Laureate receives a certificate ofmerit, a commemorative medal, and a supplementary cash award of ¥ 50 million.
The award presentation ceremony takes place annually in Tokyo in April.

The Science and Technology
Foundation of JapanThe Science and Technology Foundation of Japanis a nonprofit-making body under the supervisionof th e Prime Minister' s office, the Science and Technology Agency, the Ministry of Education, and theMinistry of Foreign Affairs.
It was established to enhance public awareness ofthe contributions being made by science and technology to the peace, happiness, and prosperity ofmankind .
Among its many activities, the administration ofthe Japan Prize is the primary fun ction of the Foundation today.

The Japan Prize Laureates
1st (1985)
Information and Communication
John R. Pierce, Ph. D.
(Guest Professor, Stanford University, USA)

Biotechnology
Ephraim Katchalski-Katzir, Ph . D.
(Professor, Tel Aviv University, Israel)

2nd (1986)
Materials Science and Technology
David Turnbull, Ph. D.
(Professor of Applied Physics, Harvard University,USA)
Medical Technology
Willem J. Kolff, M.D., Ph . D.
(Professor of Medical and Biomedical Engineering,Uni versity of Utah, USA)

Matsushita Increases Contribution
It was announced at a press conference on 26
November 1986 that Mr. Konosuke Matsushita, adviser to Matsushita Electric Industrial Co . and President of the Science and Technology Foundation ofJapan, has contributed an additional ¥2 billion to theFoundation. This brings to ¥5 billion the amount th atMr. Matsushita has contributed.
At the same press conference, Foundation Chairman Kisaburo Yokota and Executive · DirectorTsuguaki Kawamura announced the awardcategories for the 4th Jap an Prize in 1988-Energy
Technology and Preventive Medicine-and discussed the schedule for 1987 Japan Prize Week.

Co111111c111orn tive lecture 111ecti11g, Tokyo, 1986'

Brief History of the Foundation
1 November 1983 Japan Prize Foundation established with support of PrimeMinister.
5 May 1983
Japan Prize Preparatmy Foundation becomes Science and Technology Foundation of Japan.
28 October 1983
Japanese government endorses
establishm ent of Japan Prize.
20 April 1985
1st Japan Prize award ceremony
held in Tokyo.
2nd Japan Prize award ceremo19 April 1986
ny held in Tokyo.
Regarding the Establishment of the Japan Prize
The official position of the Japanese Government is that the Japan Prize, to be bestowed by
the Science and Technology Fomidation ofJapan, will serve to deepen the understanding of
the role played by science and technology in furthering world peace and prosperity, thereby
making a vital contribution to the positive development of mankind. Based on this judgement, the government agencies concerned areurged to offer whatever cooperation necessary
in all phases pertinent to this prize .
(Cabinet Endorsement-October 28, 1983)
From the Editor
Bolstered by Mr. Konosuke Matsushita's additional co ntribution to our funds of ¥2 billion, our Foundation is determined to nurture the Japan Prize intoa truly prestigious international award.
We would kindly ask readers for their commentson this issue and for suggestions pertaining to theJapan Prize.

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