June 14, 2024

Press Release

INAMORI FOUNDATIONThe 2024 Kyoto Prize Laureates Announced
The Inamori Foundation (President: Shinobu Inamori-Kanazawa) is pleased to announce thelaureates of the 2024 Kyoto Prize, an international award presented to individuals who havecontributed significantly to the scientific, cultural, and spiritual betterment of humankind.
The prize presentation ceremony will be held on November 10 at the Kyoto International
Conference Center. Each laureate will receive a diploma, a Kyoto Prize medal (20K gold),and prize money of 100 million yen per category.

Advanced Technology Prize Field: Materials Science and Engineering

John Pendry

Theoretical Physicist

Professor of Theoretical Solid State Physics, Imperial College London

Contribution of the Theoretical Construction of Metamaterials to the Field ofMaterials Science
John Pendry theoretically demonstrated that materials with electromagnetic properties notfound in nature, such as negative-refractive-index materials (metamaterials) can be realized
by designing microstructures smaller than the wavelength of the target electromagnetic
waves, thereby laying the groundwork for creating innovative materials such as “superlenses”
with subwavelength resolution and “invisibility cloaks.”

Basic Sciences Prize Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences, Astronomy and Astrophysics

Paul F. Hoffman

Geologist

Adjunct Professor, University of Victoria
Sturgis Hooper Professor of Geology, Emeritus, Harvard University

Proving Snowball Earth Accelerating Life Evolution and Plate Tectonics Dating Backto the First Half of Earth’s History
Based on geological evidence obtained over 50 years of extensive and precise field research in
Arctic Canada and Africa, Paul F. Hoffman has accomplished landmark achievements
regarding snowball Earth and plate tectonics in Earth’s early history that led to the present
surface environment teeming with diverse life.

Arts and Philosophy Prize Field: Theater, Cinema

William Forsythe

Choreographer

The Choreographer Who Opened a New Horizon of Performing Arts by RadicallyRenewing Methodologies and Aesthetics of Ballet and Dance
William Forsythe radically questions and deconstructs the structure and style of traditional
ballet to create new methodologies and aesthetics of theatrical dance. He continues to go
beyond the conventional concept of choreography and to extend the potential of the art form
using human bodies through various innovative works.

BIOGRAPHY OF THE 2024 KYOTO PRIZE LAUREATE
IN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
Prize Field: Materials Science and Engineering

John Pendry
Theoretical Physicist
Affiliation and Title/Position

Professor of Theoretical Solid State Physics, Imperial
College London

Brief Biography
1943
1969

1969–1975
1969–1971
1972–1973
1973–1975
1975–1981
1981–

Born in Ashton-under-Lyne, U.K.
Ph.D. in Solid State Theory, University of Cambridge
Research Fellowship in Physics, Downing College, University ofCambridge
ICI Postdoctoral Fellow

Member of Technical Staff, Theoretical Physics Department, Bell
Telephone Laboratories (currently Nokia Bell Labs)
Senior Assistant in Research, Cavendish Laboratory, University ofCambridge
Senior Principal Scientific Officer, Head of Theory Group, Daresbury
Laboratory, U.K. Science and Engineering Research Council
Professor of Theoretical Solid State Physics, Imperial College London

Selected Awards and Honors
1996
2004

Paul Dirac Medal and Prize, U.K. Institute of Physics
Knight Bachelor

2005

Descartes Prize, E.U.
Bakerian Medal and Lecture

2006
2009
2013
2014
2016

Memberships:

Celsius Lecture, Uppsala University, Sweden

Royal Medal
UNESCO-Niels Bohr Gold Medal
Isaac Newton Medal and Prize, U.K. Institute of Physics
Kavli Prize in Nanoscience
Dan David Prize in Future: Nanoscience
Ugo Fano Gold Medal

American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Physical Society,
National Academy of Sciences, Norwegian Academy of Sciences andLetters, Optica, Royal Society, U.K. Institute of Physics

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ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE 2024 KYOTO PRIZE LAUREATE
IN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
Prize Field: Materials Science and Engineering

John Pendry
Contribution of the Theoretical Construction of Metamaterials to the Field ofMaterials Science
The artificial design of materials with tailored electromagnetic properties is difficult
because such properties are typically determined by the crystal structure and electronic
configuration of a material. However, John Pendry’s theoretical work showed thatmetamaterials (materials with unique electromagnetic properties that do not exist innature and have not been experimentally explored) can be created by designing structures
smaller than the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves of interest. Specifically, heshowed that utilizing the resonant states of small structures with respect toelectromagnetic waves enables negative permittivity in materials consisting of metallic
wire arrays (1) and negative permeability consisting of nonmagnetic conductor split ring
structures (2). Furthermore, he demonstrated that materials composed of both wire arrays
and split ring structures simultaneously exhibit negative permittivity and negative
permeability (3). Although in the 1960s, materials with both negative permittivity andpermeability were predicted to have a negative refractive index, Pendry succeeded inconstructing a theoretical framework to design such materials. Shortly thereafter, basedon his theory, metamaterials exhibiting negative refractive indices were experimentallyrealized for the first time.
The fundamental concept underlying Pendry’s metamaterials, based on which novel
electromagnetic properties arise from structures on scales smaller than the wavelength,
expands the possibilities for adjusting the properties of the material. For instance,negative refractive materials exhibit unique properties such as refracted waves atinterfaces propagating opposite to the incident waves. Leveraging these properties ofnegative refractive metamaterials, Pendry proposed the concept of a “superlens” (perfectlens) that can achieve ideal infinite resolution without limitations arising from diffraction
boundaries (3). The development of various devices using these lenses, including
subwavelength microscopes, is currently being vigorously pursued worldwide.
Furthermore, Pendry introduced “transformation optics,” using coordinatetransformations in Maxwell’s equations to control the paths of electric fields, magnetic
fields, and energy flows (4). This concept has considerably enhanced the design flexibilityof optical components and has been applied in the design of various metamaterial devices.
Notably, his proposal of an “invisibility cloak” that utilizes the design flexibility of theelectromagnetic properties in metamaterials to reroute light around a shielded area andforce it to its original path, effectively rendering the area invisible, has attracted
widespread attention from both the academic community and general public. In
collaboration with an experimental research group, Pendry has successfully demonstrated
this property with the use of artificially structured metamaterials at microwave
frequencies (5).
2Pendry’s research has led to considerable advancements in metamaterials researchworldwide since the early 2000s. Metamaterials are expected to have various applications
in microwave control, heat shielding, optical, and optical communication technologies.
They are also applied to wave fields other than electromagnetic ones, such as acoustics.
Thus, Pendry’s innovative theoretical research on metamaterials has considerably
advanced the field of materials science, created new interdisciplinary research areas, andpaved the way for the development of novel materials with widespread social applications.
His achievements are highly esteemed.
References(1) Pendry JB et al. (1996) Extremely Low Frequency Plasmons in Metallic
Mesostructures. Phys. Rev. Lett. 76 (25): 4773–4776.
(2) Pendry JB et al. (1999) Magnetism from Conductors and Enhanced Nonlinear
Phenomena. IEEE Trans. Microw. Theory Tech. 47 (11): 2075–2084.
(3) Pendry JB (2000) Negative Refraction Makes a Perfect Lens. Phys. Rev. Lett. 85 (18):3966–3969.
(4) Pendry JB, Schurig D, & Smith DR (2006) Controlling Electromagnetic Fields. Science
312: 1780–1782.
(5) Schurig D et al. (2006) Metamaterial Electromagnetic Cloak at Microwave Frequencies.
Science 314: 977–980.

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BIOGRAPHY OF THE 2024 KYOTO PRIZE LAUREATE
IN BASIC SCIENCES
Prize Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences, Astronomy and Astrophysics

Paul F. Hoffman
Geologist
Affiliation and Title/Position

Adjunct Professor, University of Victoria, Sturgis Hooper
Professor of Geology, Emeritus, Harvard University

Brief Biography
1941

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

1968–1969

Lecturer, Franklin & Marshall College

1969–1985

Research Scientist, Geological Survey of Canada

1970

Ph.D. in Geology, Johns Hopkins University

1971–1972

Lecturer, University of California, Santa Barbara

1974–1975

Sherman Fairchild Distinguished Scholar, California Institute ofTechnology

1978

Visiting Professor, The University of Texas at Dallas

1985–1992

Senior Research Scientist, Geological Survey of Canada

1990

Visiting Professor, Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory (currently
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory), Columbia University

1992–1994

Professor of Geology, University of Victoria

1994–2008

Sturgis Hooper Professor of Geology, Harvard University

2009–

Sturgis Hooper Professor of Geology, Emeritus, Harvard University

2011–

Adjunct Professor, University of Victoria

Selected Awards and Honors
1992

Logan Medal, Geological Association of Canada

1997

Willet G. Miller Medal, Royal Society of Canada

2000

Henno Martin Medal, Geological Society of Namibia

2001

Alfred Wegener Medal

2009

Wollaston Medal

2010

Walter H. Bucher Medal

2011

Penrose Medal

2012

Order of Canada

2016Gold Medal, Royal Canadian Geographical Society

Memberships:

American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Association for the
Advancement of Science, American Geophysical Union, Geological
Association of Canada, Geological Society of Namibia, National Academyof Sciences, Royal Society of Canada, The Geological Society of America,
The Geological Society of London
4ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE 2024 KYOTO PRIZE LAUREATE
IN BASIC SCIENCES
Prize Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences, Astronomy and Astrophysics

Paul F. Hoffman
Proving Snowball Earth Accelerating Life Evolution and Plate Tectonics Dating
Back to the First Half of Earth’s History
Through the accumulation of extensive and high-resolution field surveys for over 50 years,
Paul F. Hoffman has made groundbreaking achievements regarding two significant factors,
snowball Earth (global freezing) and plate tectonics in the deep past, which have formed
the surface environment of the Earth, now teeming with diverse life.
By the late 1980s, several lines of evidence emerged that glaciers existed around theequatorial region approximately 600 million years ago. A possible explanation, the“snowball Earth” hypothesis, was proposed in 1992, which assumed that the Earth’s
surface was fully covered with ice. However, this bizarre scenario appeared unrealistic tomany researchers, thus academic circles paid it little attention. It seemed impossible for
the Earth to return to warmer conditions following a fully frozen state. Such a long-term
total freezing would eventually lead to total life extinction. Hoffman has conductedgeological surveys in Namibia, Africa, since 1993, where he investigated similar glacial
deposits of the same age, which are capped by abnormally thick carbonate strata (capcarbonates) that are essentially deposited in warm oceans and observed worldwide. His
study on the cap carbonates by carbon isotope analysis revealed convincingly that biotic
activities completely ceased immediately after glaciation. This result is concordant withthe following snowball Earth hypothesis. The snowball Earth event was followed by rapid
ice sheet melting under extremely warm conditions, due to a significant greenhouse effectof vast emission of volcanogenic CO2 gas. CO2-induced strong weathering of surface rocks
provided abundant elements in the world seawater to form carbonates with carbon dioxide,i.e., depositing thick carbonate strata, whereas the organic activities remained dormant
for some time. Hoffman further demonstrated that the snowball Earth condition occurred
twice during the period of 720–640 million years ago. These drastic environmental changes
on a global scale may have driven the rapid diversification of animals in the Cambrianperiod approximately 520 million years ago (Cambrian explosion).
Plate tectonics is a framework that describes relative motions (formation, horizontal
movement, and subduction) of multiple tectonic plates, which form the rock crust thatcovers Earth’s surface. All geological phenomena currently observed, such as earthquakes,
volcanic activity, and orogeny can be explained in a unified and consistent manner in thisframework. Plate tectonics are solely found on Earth, thus it is likely the most criticalfactor that led to the habitable surface environment of the Earth. However, until the early
1980s, tectonic plate motions could only be traced back to approximately 500 million years
ago and no further. Based on the extensive and detailed field survey in Arctic Canada,
Hoffman demonstrated that the core of the present North American continent formed
approximately two billion years ago by the multiple collisions and mergers of several major

5continental blocks. Furthermore, he revealed that the supercontinent cycles of repeatedassemblies and breakups of smaller continental blocks took place 4–5 times fromapproximately 2.5 billion years ago to the present. Thus, he demonstrated that plate
tectonics dates back to the first half of the 4.6 billion years of Earth’s history.
Throughout his lifetime geological research, Hoffman has shown that the essential factor
for making the Earth habitable, as we know today, was the interaction between the solid
Earth, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and even the biosphere. He is still actively continuing
his research.

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BIOGRAPHY OF THE 2024 KYOTO PRIZE LAUREATE
IN ARTS AND PHILOSOPHY
Prize Field: Theater, Cinema

William Forsythe
Choreographer

Brief Biography
1949
1967
1969
1973
1976
1984–2004
2005–2015

Born in Long Island, New York, U.S.A.
Began classical training at Jacksonville University
Received scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet School
Joined the Stuttgart Ballet
Created Urlicht, his first professional choreographic work
Appointed Resident Choreographer of Stuttgart Ballet
Director, Ballet Frankfurt
Director, The Forsythe Company

Selected Awards and Honors
1988, 1999,
2004, 2007
1992, 1999
1997
1999
2002
2010
2020

New York Dance and Performance Award (Bessie Award)
Olivier Award
German Federal Cross of Merit (First Class)Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres, France
Wexner Prize
Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement for Dance, Venice Biennale
Lifetime Achievement, German Theater Prize DER FAUST

Selected Works
1976
1983
1984
1985
1987
1988
1990
1991
1995
1999
2000
2003
2005
2006
2008
2013
2014
2021

Urlicht
Gänge
Artifact
LDC
In the Middle, Somewhat ElevatedImpressing the Czar
Limb’s Theorem
The Loss of Small Detail
Eidos: Telos
Improvisation Technologies. A Tool for the Analytical Dance Eye (CD-ROM)
Kammer/Kammer
Decreation
Three Atmospheric Studies
Human Writes
Heterotopia
I Don’t Believe in Outer Space
Nowhere and Everywhere at the Same Time No.2 (installation)
Black Flags (installation)
The Sense of Things (installation)
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ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE 2024 KYOTO PRIZE LAUREATE
IN ARTS AND PHILOSOPHY
Prize Field: Theater, Cinema

William Forsythe
The Choreographer Who Opened a New Horizon of Performing Arts by RadicallyRenewing Methodologies and Aesthetics of Ballet and Dance
William Forsythe radically deconstructs the style of traditional ballet to create new
methodologies and aesthetics of theatrical dance. He continues to extend the potential of
the art form using human bodies through various innovative works.
Forsythe, born in 1949 in Long Island, New York, studied ballet at Jacksonville
University in Florida and subsequently worked with the Joffrey Ballet in New York. He
then joined the Stuttgart Ballet in Germany in 1973. While performing as a dancer there,
Forsythe created his first professional choreographic work, Urlicht, in 1976. In 1984, hebecame director of the Ballet Frankfurt and gained international fame by releasing aseries of major choreographic works, including those commissioned by top balletcompanies, such as the Paris Opera Ballet. After the Ballet Frankfurt was closed in 2004,
he led The Forsythe Company from 2005 to 2015. Forsythe, now based in the United States,
has been active in creating ballet, dance, and installations worldwide.
Forsythe’s innovation is prominent as he continually questions and expands the structureof ballet pieces. In Artifact (1984), for example, the sudden falls of the stage curtain, while
the dancers’ moves are going on, often violently discontinue the developments of theperformance. The accumulation of these fragmented scenes with no logical conclusions
brings about a mesmerizing experience to the audience, as though a mighty force, such asa crashing giant wave or lightning, confronted them.
The dancers’ movements, destructively exploiting the established norms, unfold beautiful
but overwhelmingly tense scenes. In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated (1987) shows off
dancers’ sharp steps, most prominently hyper-extensions of their limbs, while creating thepowerful impression that the tips of their toe shoes are being thrust into the floor amid
the electronic sounds. Forsythe herewith asserts the aesthetics of thrill and strength, astark contrast to the harmony and elegance that have been the hallmark of traditional
ballet.
Forsythe’s originality goes beyond the conventional concept of choreography, wherechoreographers conceive and direct movements and poses for the consistency of thenarrative and styles, and dancers perform them. Forsythe pioneered a stunning
methodology to expand the potential for improvisation, allowing dancers to generate
movements during the performance spontaneously. To make this methodology public,
Forsythe produced Improvisation Technologies. A Tool for the Analytical Dance Eye (1994,
1999), a digital learning material simultaneously displaying body movements, verbal
descriptions, and animations to trace these movements.
Furthermore, Forsythe examines the human bodily experience and the principles of
performing arts in a series of works called Choreographic Objects, including installationsand videos. Examples include Nowhere and Everywhere at the Same Time No. 2 (2013), a8

room with numerous pendulums hung from the ceiling. The audience must attentively
avoid the pendulums moving irregularly to walk through the room. In this installation,
the audience appears to perform a dance choreographed by the physical environment.
Black Flags (2014) is an installation in which the two industrial robots are programmed
to wave two giant flags variously. This work is a practice of choreographing nonhumanobjects. Choreographic Objects stimulate the audience to question the relationshipbetween their bodies and the environment.
Among Western art forms, most of which tend to be dominated by visual and auditory
sensibilities, modern ballet and dance have been remarkable in highlighting immediate
physicality and showing new orientations in arts and philosophy. Forsythe has been at the
cutting edge of this movement for almost 50 years, and the fundamental impact of hisachievements will remain uncontested far into the future.

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Press Release

EVENT SCHEDULE OF THE 2024 KYOTO PRIZE< OFFICIAL EVENTS >◆ Prize Presentation Ceremony
November 10, 2024 / Kyoto International Conference Center
The Kyoto Prize presentation ceremony is held to honor the laureates in the presenceof Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado and many distinguished guests fromJapan and overseas including ambassadors and consuls general from many countries.
Each laureate is presented with the Kyoto Prize (a Kyoto Prize medal, a diploma, andthe prize money) at the ceremony.
◆ Joint Press Conference
November 10, 2024 / Kyoto International Conference Center
A joint press conference is held with the participation of the laureates right after
the Presentation Ceremony.
◆ Banquet
November 10, 2024 / The Prince Kyoto Takaragaike
Following the presentation ceremony, a banquet is held in the presence of Her
Imperial Highness Princess Takamado as well as many distinguished guests fromJapan and overseas.
◆ Commemorative Lectures
November 11, 2024 / Kyoto International Conference Center
Commemorative lectures for the general public provide an opportunity to get to know
not only the outstanding achievements of the laureates but also their views on life andtheir personalities. The laureates, who have reached the pinnacles of their respective
fields, speak to the audience about their work while relating various episodes. Aftereach lecture, an interviewer will ask the laureates about the lecture and their viewson life from the audience’s perspective.
<RELATED EVENTS OVERSEAS>◆ Kyoto Prize Symposium
March 11–13, 2025 / San Diego, California, U.S.A.
The local NPO Kyoto Symposium Organization and local universities (now Universityof California San Diego and Point Loma Nazarene University) have been inviting
Kyoto Prize laureates and holding a symposium in San Diego, California in Marchsince 2002.
◆ Kyoto Prize at Oxford
May 6–7, 2025 / University of Oxford, U.K.
The University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government has been inviting Kyoto
Prize laureates and holding diverse programs filled with intellectual stimulation,
including public lectures and panel discussions, in May since 2017.
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Press ReleaseTHE 2024 KYOTO PRIZE LAUREATESPICTURES FOR PUBLICATION
The following pictures are available on request for your publication’s use. Please tellus the photo number you wish to use, as well as your contact information: 1. your name,
2. company name, 3. affiliation and title in the company, 4. phone number and 5. nameof publication (date of issue if possible); by E-mail to press@inamori-f.or.jp.

Portrait pictures of the 2024 Kyoto Prize laureates
Advanced Technology

John Pendry□ A1

Basic Sciences

Paul F. Hoffman□ B1

Arts and Philosophy

William Forsythe□ C1<Attention>
For the use of these photos, your following attentions would be highly appreciated.
◎

The use of these photos shall be limited to the press aiming at the public relationsof the Inamori Foundation and/or Kyoto Prize such as Newspaper, Publication,
Broadcasting (News and/or Program) and website.

◎

Any secondary use other than the announcement of the 2024 Kyoto Prize laureatesshall be strictly prohibited. If you wish to use some of these photos alternatively,
please contact us beforehand without fail.

<Contact>
Public Relations Division, Inamori Foundation
E-mail：press@inamori-f.or.jp TEL：+81-75-746-2523

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Press Release

CONTACTFor further information, please contact
Takeshi Nakajima (Mr.)
Public Relations Division
Inamori Foundation
620 Suiginya-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8411 Japan
E-mail: press@inamori-f.or.jp
T E L : +81-75-746-2523
URL:[Inamori Foundation]

https://www.inamori-f.or.jp/en/[Kyoto Prize］

https://www.kyotoprize.org/en/

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