JAPAN PRIZE NEWSTHE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FOUNDATION OF JAPAN (JSTF)
Shisei Kaikan , 1-3, Hibiya-Koen,
Chiyoda-ku , Tokyo, Japan 100
Tel. 03 (3508) 7691

No. 9
JULY 1991

French and American Scientists Awarded 1991 (7th) Japan Prize
Recognized for Scientific Achievements in Applied Mathematics and Imaging Techniques in Medicine

Dr. Jacques-Louis LionsTwo Scientists from France and the U.S.A. were award ed the1991 (seventh) Japan Prize, the most prestigious and honored
prize in the fields o f science and technology, at a presentation
ceremony held at the National Theater in Tokyo on April 25.
The Prize is presented annually by the Science and Technology
Foundation of Japan to scientists and researchers who havemade substantial contributions to the advancement of scienceand technology and to the peace and prosperity of mankind.
The categories this year were Applied Mathematics and Imaging Techniques in Medicine. Top scientists and academics aroundthe world submitted 630 nominations, 389 for Applied Mathematics and 241 for Imaging Techniques in Medicine.
Dr. Jacques-Louis Lions, Chairman of Analysis and Systems
Control at the College de France and the president of the National
Center for Space Studies, France (CNES), received the 1991 Japan
Prize in the category of Applied Mathematics. Dr. Lions is credited for his contributions to analysis and control of distributed
systems, and to promotion of applied analysis.
In the category of Imaging Techniques in Medicine, the Prizewent to Dr. John J. Wild , Director of the Medico-TechnologicalResearch Institute of Minneapolis , who pioneered ultrasoundimaging techniques. The widespread use of Dr. Wild's diagnostic
ultrasound techniques has revolutionized medicine; comparedwith other imaging methods, such as X-ray CT and magnetic
resonance imaging, ultrasound is much safer because it entails
non-invasive imaging.

Dr. John Julian Wild

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Their Majesties The Emperorand Empress Attend
The Presentation Ceremony
Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress attended the presentation at the National Theater in Tokyo on april 25, 1991. Some
1,000 prominent guests attended the ceremony, including theChief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Minister of Education,
Science and Culture, the Minister of the Science & Technology
Agency, numerous ambassadors to Japan, eminent scholars andresearchers, and representatives from other fields including
politics, finance, industry and the media.
The ceremony began with a rendition of Minoru Miki's Overture Japan, a work composed specially for the ceremony andperformed by the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra under thedirection of Kohki Tetsuka. Foundation Chairman Masami Itomade the opening address and Dr. Jiro Kondo, Chairman of the1991 Japan Prize Selection Committee, introduced the two winners and their achievements. After the chairmen of the two selection panels presented the reasons for their selections, Foundation President Dr. Kisaburo Yokota presented the winners with
their certificates of merit, commemorative medals and cash
awards of 50 million yen for each category.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Lions said, "It is today an exceptional privilege, for me and for my colleagues, to have this fieldof activity and these contributions recognized at such a prestigious event." Dr. Wild expressed his appreciation, saying, "Myworks in medical imaging were started over forty years ago, andmay have set a record for retrospective recognition. Recognitionof a prophet in his own time redounds to its credit."

State Banquet Held with Their
Majesties The Emperor andEmpress
Following the presentation ceremony, a banquet for the 1991
Japan Prize winners was held at the Hotel New Otani in Tokyoon the evening of April 25, in the presence of Their Majesties
The Emperor and Empress of Japan as well as 400 dignitaries
including Japanese government officials , the French and U.S.
ambassadors to Japan, other ambassadors and ministers, andcelebrities from various fields.
The gala celebration included music by the New Vivaldi
Ensemble, which performed a selection of works including Springfrom Vivaldi 's Four Seasons.

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Japan Prize Week

Address byHis Majesty
The Emperor( Excerpts)
In applied mathematics and imaging techniques in medicine, science is applied to solve practical , concrete problems. Technological advances in these academic fields will
make a great co ntribution to society, leading to the further
development of industrial activities and the improvement of
medical care. I would therefore like to express my deepest
respect for the remarkable achievements of the two doctors.
We must continue making further efforts to develop scientific and technological advances that reflect the cooperative
efforts of many individuals and that will help to bring happiness to and improve the lives of people around the world.
It is my sincere hope that the Japan Prizes awarded at thisseventh presentation ceremony will contribute to the further
development of world science and technology in the yearsto come.

Courtesy call on the prime minister (April 23).

-Press conference at the Hotel New Otani (April 23)

An opening address by Foundation President Dr. Yokota wasfollowed by dinner, after which His Maj esty The Emperor
honored the two laureates with a congratulatory toast. A second
toast in appreciation of the laureates' wives was made by His
Excellency Mr. Ryohachi Kusaba, Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court, who represented the three branches of the Japanese
government. The laureates' wives were then presented withbouquets.
Another toast was proposed by Her Excellency Akiko Santo,
Minister of Science and Technology Agency, who asked theguests to join her in toasting to the Japan Prize 's further contribution toward world peace and prosperity.
The banquet continued with co ngratulatory messages fromMr. Shunichi Suzuki, Governor of Tokyo , His Excellency Narayan
Prasad Arjal , Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaryof the Kingdom of Nepal, His Excellency Lok Hennekinne,Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France, andHis Excellency Michael H. Armacost, Ambassador Extraord inaryand Plenipotentiary of the United States of America.
The end of the banquet was highlighted by a performance by
the Tokyo Institute of Technology's Cahor Kleines mixed chorus
group featuring songs of the universities and countries where thelaureates spent their days as young students.
Prior to closing the banquet, Ors. Lions and Wild gave speechesof thanks and brought this memorable banquet to its close.

Visit to the Science Council of Japan (April 24)

Commemorative lectures in Tokyo, at the Yomiuri Hall(April 24)

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Dr. Bjorn - Rasmussen, Head of Information Department,
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences,attended the Japan Prize Week events.
0: As to the Ceremony and Banquet where you attended, could you raise yourmost impressed point or matter for each of such event?
A: The Ceremony had a good programme not too different from the Nobel programme. I liked very much the presentations in the beginning with slides to introduce the both laureates. Asplendid idea. It made the laureates more personal. TheBanquet was both very good in planning and the menu wasdelicious. The Banquet
Party was not formal. People were happy and laughing.
0: What were your impressions and evaluations on the Japan Prize Commemorative Lecture?
A: The lectures were more popular and the public not so specialized compared tothe Nobel lectures. Both of the laureates succeeded in being popular and interesting and making the lecture a good one.

Dr. Bjorn-Rasmussen, Head of Information Department, The Royal Swedish
Academy of Sciences which selects the laureates of the Nobel Prizes for Physics,
Chemistry and Economics visited Japan during April. On 10th of April, together
with her husband she made a courtesy visit to the Foundation and further extended their staying schedule and attended the main events during 1991 (7 th) JapanPrize Week which started on Monday April 22.
For Dr. Bjorn-Rasmussen, it was the first participation in the Japan Prize Week
events.
The Foundation's Executive Director, Mr. Tsuguaki Kawamura made a personal
interview with her as follows:

Selection of Winners Begins
for 1992 (8th) Japan Prize
The categories of the 8th Japan Prize for 1992 are Science andTechnology of Material Interfaces and Science and Technology
for Biological Production. Candidates have been recommended
through numerous letters of nomination received by the Foundation from around the world. The 1992 Selection Committee has
been established and the process of selecting next year's winners
is under way. Results will be announced publicly in December,1991 and the presentation ceremony will be held in April, 1992.

Science and Technology of Materials Interfaces
Innovation in the science and technology of materials always
has a great impact upon progress in modern technologies. In particular, the understanding of material interfaces (including surfaces) at the atomic level has greatly expanded in recent years.
Science and technology of material Interfaces covers fields
such as catalysts , thin films , colloids and various interfaces ofmetal and semiconductors.
The Prize for 1992 will be awarded for outstanding achievements in the formation and control of material interfaces, theircharacterization techniques, clarification of phenomena anddevelopment of materials and/or devices which utilize special
functions of material interfaces.

Science and Technology for Biological Production
Mankind's survival has and will continue to depend on utilizing
living organisms to producing food and other purposes in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and related industries. Improving theefficiency as well as the diversity of these processes remains
vitally important.
The Prize for 1992 will be awarded for outstanding achievements in science and technology relating to the cultivation,
breeding, protection and related aspects of food production,with a view to increasing productivity through the use of livingorganisms.

0: Wha t was your impression about the Joint Press Meeting?
Is there any difference between the way the press meetings and public announcements are con ducted for the cases of the Nobel Prize Physics and Chemistry categories and our cases?
A: Compared to the Nobel pre ss meeting in Sweden (we have one for Physics,Chemistry and Economy and another one for Medicine) there were more journalists gathered during your press conference compared to ours. They were also;isking morn questions and they were good ones. We have the problem tha t mostjournalists want to have separate interviews and they are too quiet during thepress conference. We really don't know how we can encourage a more intense
discussion during our press conferences.

General Science andTechnology Seminars HeldMonthly
The Foundation is holding a monthly General Science andTechnology Seminar in Japanese for the general public, free ofcharge. The aim is to promote a comprehensive spread of information and development of ideas regarding science and technology.
Lecturers at the seminars include distinguished scholars, scientists and engineers recognized as leaders in their fi elds. The
lectures are presented in easy-to-understand language for thebenefit of non-specialists.
The subjects of upcoming seminars under the 1991 series
theme of "The science and technology close to us - from daily
life and safety points." will include:"Investigate foods with biosensors" (July), "Science and technology of preventing hazards - how to forecast and prevent
hazards." (August), "Science and technology of dust and garbage- creation of nice and clean environment." (September), "Systemand structure of water - for good water." (October), "Scienceof housing - for innovated houses." (November) and "Minds ofanimals?, means to understand animals." (December).