No. 68

ARK Mori Building, East Wing 35th Floor, 1-12-32
Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-6035, JAPAN
Tel: +81-3-5545-0551 Fax: +81-3-5545-0554
www.japanprize.jp

May. 2023

2023 Japan Prize Presentation Ceremony
Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress
in attendance at this year’s function

On Thursday, April 13, 2023, the 39th Japan Prize Presentation Ceremony took place in the presence of Their Majesties
the Emperor and Empress at the Imperial Hotel in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. The Japan Prize is an international award
presented to individuals whose original and outstanding achievements in science and technology have served to promote
peace and prosperity for humankind.
At the ceremony, the 2023 prize laureates were presented with a certificate of merit, prize medal, and cash prize, which
was increased to 100 million yen per field in 2020 from the previous 50 million yen. This year’s laureates were Professor
Masataka Nakazawa and Mr. Kazuo Hagimoto in the field of Electronics, Information, and Communication and Professors
Gero Miesenböck and Karl Deisseroth in the field of Life Sciences.
Each year, the Japan Prize Foundation receives nominations from around 15,500 prominent scientists and researchersworldwide, with winners being chosen through a rigorous year-long selection process. Of the fields eligible for the prize in2023, there were 123 nominations for Electronics, Information, and Communication and 204 for Life Sciences.

The establishment of the Japan Prize was motivated by the Japanese
government's desire to create an internationally recognized award that would
contribute to scientific and technological development around the world. With
the support of numerous donations, the Japan Prize Foundation received
endorsement from the Cabinet Office in 1983.
The Japan Prize is awarded to scientists and engineers from around theworld who have made creative and dramatic achievements that help progress
their fields and contribute significantly to realizing peace and prosperity for all

humanity. Researchers in all fields of science and technology are eligible forthe award, with two fields selected each year in consideration of current
trends in scientific and technological development. In principle, one individualin each field is recognized with the award, and receives a certificate, a medal,and a monetary prize. Each Award Ceremony is attended by the current
Emperor and Empress, heads of the three branches of government and otherrelated officials, and representatives from various other elements of society.

Address by His Majesty the Emperor

It brings me great pleasure to be here at theI would like to convey my deepest regards to2023 Japan Prize Presentation Ceremony together

each of t hese out st a nd i ng resea rchers who sewith distinguished participants and guests fromstudies have contributed immensely to the growthdifferent countries and regions of the world. On theof various scientific and technological fields and tooccasion of this esteemed ceremony, I would like tothe improved well-being of humanity.

extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of theToday, nations across the world, including ourd ist i ng u is hed l au re at e s : P rofe s s or M a s at a k acountry, are facing many social, economic, andNakazawa and Mr. Kazuo Hagimoto in the field ofe nv i r o n m e nt a l c h a l l e ng e s , a nd s c i e n c e a nd

Electronics, Information, and Communication andtechnology are playing increasingly crucial roles.

Professor Gero Miesenböck and Professor KarlAs we have worked toget her to overcome t he

Deisseroth in the field of Life Sciences.

COVID-19 pandemic during these past few years, IThe Japan Prize was established based on private

believe that by gathering the wisdom of diversed o n a t i o n s , i n a c c o r d a n c e w it h t h e Ja p a n e s efields and joining forces worldwide, we can build ag o v e r n m e nt ' s v i s i o n o f c o nt r i b u t i n g t o t h epromising future.

development of science and technology throughout

I would like to conclude by expressing my sincere

the world. This Prize is awarded to scientists andhope t hat t he Japan Prize will furt her a id theengineers from across the globe who have madeadvancement of science and technology to bringinnovative and ground-breaking achievements thathappiness to people and a lso contribute to theh ave m a d e a s ig n i f i c a nt c o nt r i but i o n t o t h epeace and prosperity of humankind. Thank you.

adva nc ement of s c ienc e a nd t e c h no l og y, a ndrecognised for their remarkable efforts to contributeto the peace and prosperity of humankind.

1Presentation Ceremony

The 2023 Japan Prize Presentation Ceremony was held at the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor andEmpress. The magnificent occasion was celebrated by approximately 140 attendees, including distinguished guests, such as Mr. Hidehisa
Otsuji, President of the House of Councillors; Mr. Saburo Tokura, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; and Ms. Keiko Nagaoka, Minister ofEducation, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. At the presentation ceremony, the laureates were presented with a certificate of meritand prize medal by Chairman Yoshio Yazaki of the Japan Prize Foundation. The laureates received warm applause from the audience as theyheld up the prize medals and expressed their joy in their acceptance speeches.

Prof. Masataka Nakazawa

Mr. Kazuo Hagimoto

Prof. Gero Miesenböck

Prof. Karl Deisseroth

Congratulatory Speech
Mr. Hidehisa Otsuji

Opening Remarks
Dr. Hiroshi Komiyama

Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress
applauding the recipients.

Commemorative concert2Field：Electronics, Information, and Communication

Distinguished contributions to global long-distance, high-capacity optical fiber network
through the development of semiconductor laser pumped optical amplifier

Prof. Masataka Nakazawa

Mr. Kazuo Hagimoto

Born: 17 September 1952

Born: 8 January 1955

Based in: JAPANBased in: JAPANDistinguished Professor/Specially Appointed Professor
Tohoku University

Principal Researcher
National Institute of Information and Communications Technology

Message from the Laureate

Message from the Laureate

I am honored to receive the Japan Prize with Mr.

It is a great honor and privilege to be receiving theHagimoto in the presence of Their Majesties theprestigious Japan Prize in the presence of Their

Emperor and Empress, heads of the legislative andMajest ies t he Emperor a nd Empres s a nd ot her

judicial branches, and the Minister of Education,

distinguished guests. I would like to express myCulture, Sports, Science and Technology.

heartfelt gratitude to the Japan Prize Foundation,

The EDFA device we developed is a completely new
optical repeater capable of amplifying the original

Selection Committee, and everyone who has worked
with and supported us over many years.

signals attenuated within the optical fiber without
having to convert them. It is not boastful to say that
this device was responsible for bringing about theglobal ICT network.
It is extremely gratifying for me that this device is
now in use not only for optical communications but ina wide range of fields, including fiber lasers, opticalmeasurement, and signal processing research. I would
like to express my gratitude to my supportive family
as well as to my young research colleagues, companies
with which we partner, and students. Thank you.
Masataka Nakazawa

3

Kazuo Hagimoto

Field：Life Sciences

The development of methods that use genetically addressable light-sensitivemembrane proteins to unravel neural circuit function

Prof. Gero Miesenböck
Born: 15 July 1965

Based in: Austria

Prof. Karl DeisserothBorn: 18 November 1971

Based in: USA

Waynflete Professor of Physiology
Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University of Oxford

Professor, Departments of Bioengineering and Psychiatryand Howard Hughes Medical Institute Stanford University

Message from the Laureate

Message from the Laureate

Your Majesties, Excellences, Members of the Japan

Your Majesties the Emperor and Empress, my fellow

Prize Foundation and the Selection Committees ,laureate, friends and family, and distinguished guests: I am

Distinguished Guests,

tremendously honored to receive the 2023 Japan Prize, for

The mat hemat icia n G . H . Ha rdy described t hepleasure of discovery as a “cerebral chill”. Karl and I

the discovery of optogenetics. The story of optogenetics
show n t hat idea s a nd in f luences f rom unexpectedhave certainly felt this chill when our efforts todirections are not only important, but also essential, forremote-control the brain succeeded, and perhaps eventhe progress of medicine and science‒ exemplified by themore so when, thanks to our invention, we discovered

first steps I took in this direction nearly twenty years ago

some of the neural processes that underpin our lives.

at Stanford, when I did the strange experiment of putting

Today's festive occasion evokes a different kind ofgenes from green algae into mammalian neurons.

emotion: not cerebral chills but heartfelt delight̶atI am profoundly grateful to my patients in the clinic,

the great honor you have bestowed upon us, at thewho have inspired me with their courage; my students

wonderful hospitality you have shown us, and at theand postdoctora l fellows over the years , who havemessage you have sent with the award of this prize

continuously amazed me with their brilliance, and mythat fundamental research benefits mankind.

wonderful family who have supported and inspired meover the years. A special note to my two brave girls

Thank you.

Emma and Sophie who have been very courageous in
Gero Miesenböck

their travel here. And I think this is why we are all here,
at some level: the courage to advance freedom and truth
was never more important than it is now. Thank you.
Karl Deisseroth4Japan Prize Week
April 12

Commemorative Lectures

Courtesy Call on Austria Embassy

April 13

Presentation Ceremony

April 14

Courtesy Call on the Prime Minister

Media Interview

Invitation from the Japan Prize

6

Projects of the Foundation
For the further development of science and technology...
In addition to selecting and awarding the Japan Prize, the Japan Prize Foundation is engaged in projects designed to contribute to the development of science, technology, and society, including the oﬀering of research grants for the training ofyoung scientists, and our “Easy-to-understand Science and Technology Seminars” aimed at the children who will lead thecoming generations.

JAPAN PRIZE

Research Grants

The creation of the Japan Prize was motivated by the Japanese

The “Japan Prize Heisei Memorial Research Grant Program” isgovernment’s desire to “contribute to the development of science

named after Their Majesties the Emperor Emeritus andand technology worldwide by establishing a prestigious

Empress Emerita, who have been interested in the researchinternational award”. Supported by numerous private donations,activities of young scientists and have encouraged them for

the Japan Prize was established in 1983 with a cabinet

many years.

endorsement.

The Foundation provides research grants to scientists mainlyThis award honors scientists and researchers worldwide

under 45 years of age. Every year, the Foundation selects four

who are recognized for having contributed signiﬁ cantly toto eight scientists who undertake knowledge-integrated research

the peace and prosperity of humankind through their originalthat contribute to solving social issues, and gives ﬁve to ten

and outstanding achievements that have greatly advanced themillion yen.

progress of science and technology.
The eligible ﬁelds of this award cover all ﬁelds of science andtechnology. Every year, two ﬁelds for the award presentation are

The Foundation encourages international collaboration ofscientists beyond their expertise.
(An applicant must belong to a research organization in Japan.)chosen by considering the developments in science andtechnology.
As a general rule, one award is given for each ﬁeld and eachlaureate receives a certiﬁcate of merit, a prize medal and acash prize.
The Presentation Ceremony is held annually in the presenceof Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, and is also
attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, thePresident of the House of Councillors, the Chief Justice of theSupreme Court, various ministers, as well as eminent ﬁguresfrom various circles.

“Easy-to-UnderstandScience and Technology Seminars”
The Foundation holds a series of public and student seminars
on advanced technologies commonly used in everyday life byinviting experts, who will
expla in state - of-t he -a rt
technologies in plain terms.
The prog ra m beg a n i nMarch 1989 and has since
executed more than 30 0seminars across Japan by7

the end of 2019.