JAPAN PRIZE NEWSTHE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FOUNDATION OF JAPAN (JSTF)
Kamiyacho Mori Building, 4th Floor
3-20, Toranomon 4-chome, Minato-ku
Tokyo, 105
Tel. 03 (3432) 5951

No. 14
AUGUST 1995

Two U.S. Scientists Awarded 1995 (11th) Japan Prize
Recognized for Scientific Achievements in Materials Processing Technologies;
and Science and Technology for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery which conserves the Environment.

Dr. Nick Holonyak, Jr.

Two U.S. scientists were awarded the 1995 (I Ith) Japan Prize, themost prestigious and honored prize in the fields of science andtechnology, during a presentation ceremony held at the National Theatrein Tokyo on Apri l 27, 1995.
The Pri ze is presented annually by The Science and Technology
Foundation of Japan (JSTF) to scientists and researchers who have madesubstantial contributions to the advancement of science and technology
as well as to the peace and prosperity of mankind.
The categories this year were Materials Processing Technologies; andScience and Technology for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery whichconserves the Environment. Top scientists and academics from aroundthe world submitted 338 nominations, 2 12 for Materials ProcessingTechnologies; and 126 for Science and Technology for Agriculture,Forestry, and Fishery which conserves the Env ironment.
Dr. Nick Holonyak, Jr. , Professor, Center for Advanced Study, John
Bardeen Chair Professor, University of Illinois, received the 1995 (11th)
Japan Pri ze in the category of Materials Processing Technologies. Dr.
Holonyak is credited for hi s outstanding contributions to research andpractical applications of li ght emitting diodes and lasers throughpioneering achievements in the understanding of physical principles andin the process technology of intermetallic compound semiconductors.
In the category of Science and Technology for Agriculture, Forestry,and Fishery which conserves the Environment, the Pri ze went to Dr.
Edward Fred Knipling, Retired Director, Entomology Research Division,Agriculture Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, who iscredited with Pioneer Contributions in the Development Integrated Pest
Management by the Sterile Insect Release Method and other biologicalapproaches.

Dr. Edward Fred Knipling

JAPAN PRIZE
Their Majesties The Emperorand Empress Attended
The Presentation Ceremony
Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress attended thepresentation ceremony at the National Theatre in Tokyo on April 27,
1995. Some 700 prominent guests attended the ceremony, including
the President of the House of Councillors, the Chief Justice of theSupreme Court, the Minister of Education, the Minister of Scienceand Technology Agency, numerous ambassadors to Japan, eminent
scholars and researchers, 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 and performedby the Toho Gakuen Orchestra under the direction of Masahiko
Enjoji. As Chairman of the 1995 Japan Prize Selection Committee,
the Foundation Chairman, Prof. Jiro Kondo delivered the opening
address and introduced the two winners and spoke of theirachievements. After the chairmen of the two selection panels
presented the I'easons for their selections, Foundation President Dr.
Masami Ito presented the winners with their certificates of merit,commemorative medals, and cash awards of 50 million yen for eachcategory.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Holonyak said, "A great prizereflecting so much credit on myself and my wife, on my teacher, thegreat scientist John Bardeen, on the University of Illinois, my many,.,.,_-=- ..r

students, and on my colleagues worldwide engaged in semiconductor
research. I hope my work has helped shed a little light in a few darkcorners." Dr. Knipling expressed his appreciation, saying, "There is
still much to be done to resolve insect pest problems in anenvironmentally safe and economically sound manner. With theexpanding world population, more and more food will have to be
produced on diminishing agricultural lands. Preventing damage byinsect pests can make important contributions toward meeting thisrequirement."..,::.,·. ...
The laureates, blessed by Thier Majesty Emperor and Empress

Dr. Holonyak (left) and Dr. Knipling (right) receiveing the Japan Prize from JSTF President Masami Ito

Japan Prize Week&, .

Courtesy call on the Prime Minister,Tomiichi Murayama (April 24)

Press conference at the Japan Press Center(April 25)

Reception Party hosted by American Ambassador(April 25)

JAPAN PRIZE

Address by
His Majesty
the Emperor
I would like to express mysincere congratulations to Dr.
Nick Holonyak , Jr. and Dr.
Edward Fred Knipling on being awarded the Japan Prize. Dr.
Holonyak was awarded the prize for wor k in the category of Materials
Processing Technologies and Dr. Knip li ng in the category of Scienceand Technology for Agricul ture, Forestry and Fishery which conserves
the Environment.
Whi le Dr. Holonyak cond ucted a broad range of research, he is best
known for developing light emitting diodes, indispensable in many
household electrical goods, and emiconductor lasers, which are used incompact disk players and other devices. Thus, Dr. Holonyak's work
has greatly served to bring comforts and affl uence to people's lives.
Among Dr. Kn.ipling's many re earches, his developing of the sterilein ect release method may be cited as a major achievement. When I
visited Okinawa Prefecture, I had an opportunity to witness th e sterile
insect release method which was bei ng used to control the melon fl y.

Memorable Banquet Held withTheir Majesties the Emperorand Empress
Following the presentation ceremony, a banquet for the 1995 JapanPri ze winners was held at the Hotel New Otani in Tokyo on the eveningof April 27, in the presence of Their Majesti es The Emperor andEmpress as we ll as 300 dignitaries, including Japanese government top
offi cials, the U. S. ambassador to Japan, other ambassadors andministers, and celebrities from various fie lds.
An opening address by the Foundation President, Dr. Masami Ito,was fo llowed by dinner, after which His Majesty The Emperor honored
the two winners with a congratulatory toast. A second toast was madeby His Excellency Ryohachi Kusaba, Chief Justice of the SupremeCourt, who represented the three branches of the Japanese government.
Yet another toast was proposed by Her Excellency Maki ko Tanaka,
M inister of Science and Technology Agency, who asked the guests totoast the Japan Pri ze's further develop ment and contribution toward

Commemorative Lectures at the lino Hall in Tokyo(April 26)

Two years ago, Okinawa Prefecture was able to eradi cate the melon fly
from the prefecture using thi s method . This made a remarkable
contribution to agriculture in Okinawa Prefecture. With the concern
about the influence of agricultural chemicals on human health and theenvironment today, Dr. Knip ling's development of this insect control
system which does not have a negative impact on the environment isextremely important.
I would like to take this opportu nity to express my deepest
admiration for the outstanding achievements of both Doctors of Science.
Developments in science and technology have brought various
benefits to mankind . On the other hand , however, these samedevelopments can also bring much unhappiness to mankind depend ing
on the in tentions with which people use the science and technology. I
believe that all persons engaged in scientific and technological researchshould be mindful of the nature of their work, and make every effort toensure that scientific development will truly contribute to the peace andprosperity of mankind.
Today, remarkable developments in science and technology arebeing posted as many people in various fie lds of study throughout theworld cooperate to achieve deve lopments that tran scend nationalborders. In closing, I would like to express my hope that the JapanPri ze conti nues to contribute to the promotion of the advancement ofscience and technology.

world peace and prosperity.
The banquet continued with a congratulatory message from H.E.
Fawzi Bin Abdul Majeed Shobokshi , Ambassador Extraordinary andPlenipotenti ary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, representing thediplomatic corps in Japan. Thereafter Ambassador Extraord inary andPlenipotentiary, H.E. Walter F. Mondale follo wed with hi s ow ncongratulatory speech.
The end of the banquet was highl ighted by a performance ofMatsushita Chuo Chorus featuring favo rite songs of the uni vers ities andcountry where the laureates spent their days as young students.
Prior to the closing of the banquet, Dr. Holonyak and Dr. Kniplingdelivered speeches of thanks and brought their memorable banquet to anend.

JAPAN PRIZEe Holiday in Kyoto ee Dr. Knipling Delivered
Special Lecture in Okinawa e

After the presentation ceremony,Dr. Holonyak and Dr. Knipling enjoyeda holiday in Kyoto and experienced
traditional Japanese culture.

The melon fly, which inflicted serious damage
on fruit and vegetables, was successfully
eradicated in Okinawa thanks to Dr. Knipling.
He was invited by Okinawa Prefecture
to deliver a speech.

Selection of Winners Begins
for the 1996 (12th) Japan Prize
The categories for the 1996 (12th) Japan
Prize are Information , Computer, andCommunication Systems; and Neuroscience.
Candidates have been recommended as a resultof numerous letters of nomination from aroundthe world received by the Fou ndation . The

Information, Computer,and Communication
Systems
Recent information systems, resulting
from progress of com puter and communication technologies, play an important rolein our society. The prize for 1996 will beawarded for outstanding achievements inbasic theory, hardware and software, andsystems techno logies rega rdin g information , computer, and communication .

1996 (12th) Japan Prize Selection Committee
has been establi shed and the process of
selecting next year's winners is underway .
Results will be announced in December 1995
with the presentation ceremony held in April
1996.

Neuroscience
Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary fieldthat has developed markedly in rece ntyears. It covers such analyses activities as
nerve ce lls, studies of comp lex system
functions, and investigations of brain
mechanisms underlying human mentalactivities. It includes research at molecular,
ce llular, developmental , behavioral , andcogn itive levels. The Prize for 1996 will beawarded for outstanding achievements indevelopment of novel research methods,
experimental investigation , and proposal ofconceptual framework for elucidating brain
function and its mechanisms.

General Science andTechnology Seminars
The Foundation holds a series of monthly
science and technology seminars in Japanese
for the general publi c, free of charge. The
seminars are aimed at promoting the comprehensive spread of information and thedevelopment of ideas regarding science andtechnology.
Distinguished scholars , scienti sts, engineers, and other recognized leaders in theirfields give lectures in easy-to-understandlanguage for the benefit of the public.
Sem inars in the 1995 series are organizedunder this year's theme, "Science and Technology of the 21st Century." Seminar titles
from September through D ecember include"Can we make a brain?" (September 27), "Canthe brain understand itself?--Brain Science ofthe 2 1st century" (October 25), "Life: theKeyword in Science and Technology in the21st Century" (November 22), and "Moleculesof Life" (December 13).