Fields Eligible for the 2016 Japan Prize

Nominations and Selection Process■

Every November, the Field Selection Committee of The Japan Prize Foundation designates and announces two
fields in which the Japan Prize will be awarded two years hence. At the same time, the Foundation calls for over
13,000 nominators, strictly comprised of prominent scientists and researchers from around the world invitedby the Foundation, to nominate the candidates through the web by JPNS (Japan Prize Nomination System).
The deadline for nominations is the end of February of the following year.

■

For each field, a Selection Subcommittee conducts a rigorous evaluation of the candidates’ academic achievements.
The conclusions are then forwarded to the Selection Committee, which conducts evaluations of candidates’ achievementsfrom a wider perspective, including contributions to the progress of science and technology, and significant advancement
towards the cause of world peace and prosperity, and finally the selected candidates are recommended for the Prize.

■

The recommendations are then sent to the Foundation’s Board of Directors, which makes the final decision on the recipients.

■

The nomination and selection process takes almost one year from the time that the fields are decided. Every January,
the winners of that year’s Japan Prize are announced. The Presentation Ceremony is held in April in Tokyo.

November, 2013
Determinethe fields eligible
for the 2015
Japan Prize
Resources, Energy andSocial Infrastructure

End February, 2014

January, 2015

April, 2015

Announce
the Laureatesof the 2015
Japan Prize

The 2015
Japan Prize
Presentation
Ceremony

Selection Committee

Invite thenominations

Closing of thenominations

Selection Subcommittee
for Resources, Energy andSocial Infrastructure

Board ofDirectors

Selection Subcommittee
for Medical Science andMedicinal Science

Medical Science andMedicinal Science

Kunio Iwatsuki

ChairmanVice Chairman

Professor Emeritus,
The University of Tokyo

Hiroshi Komiyama

Ryozo Nagai

Yoshio Karita

Chairman of the Institute,
Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.
President Emeritus,
The University of Tokyo

President,
Jichi Medical University

Director,
The Japan Prize Foundation

Masafumi Maeda

Executive Vice President, Professor,
The University of Tokyo

Hideo Miyahara

Professor Emeritus,
Osaka University

Takehiko Sasazuki

University Professor, Institute for Advanced Study, Kyushu University
President Emeritus, National Center for Global Health and Medicine

Selection Subcommittee for the “ Resources, Energy and Social Infrastructure” field
MemberKazunari Domen

Chairman

Deputy Chairman

Makoto Misono

Takashi Ibusuki

Professor Emeritus,
The University of Tokyo

Chief Advisor
Japan Environmental Management
Association for Industry

Professor, Graduate School of Environmental Studies
Tohoku University

Yoshitsugu Hayashi

Shinichiro Ohgaki

Shunsuke Ikeda

Professor Emeritus,
Tokyo Institute of Technology

Mikiko Ishikawa

The 2016 Japan Prize in the fields of “Materials and Production” will be awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions tosociety by achieving momentous scientific and technological breakthroughs that improve the quality and safety of people’s lives while ensuring
the sustainability of society by designing and developing materials with new functions, or by advancing the technologies for industrial design,
production and operation, that will create new products, services and industries.
Area of
Life Science, Agricultureand Medicine

Biological Production and Biological Environment

Background and rationale:

Keiko Sasaki

Professor,
Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University

Takashi Tatsumi

Executive Vice President for Research
Tokyo Institute of Technology

Masayuki Kamimoto

Akira Yabe

MemberKazuhito Hashimoto

Professor, Department of Applied Chemistry,
Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

ChairmanVice Chairman

Katsuhiko Shirai

Kohei Miyazono

Chairperson,
The Foundation
for the Open Universityof JapanProfessor,
Department of
Molecular Pathology,
Graduate School of Medicine,
The University of Tokyo

Vice President, National Institute of Advanced Industrial
Science and Technology

Yukiko Gotoh

Chairman

Deputy Chairman

Takehiko Sasazuki

Aikichi Iwamoto

University Professor,
Institute for Advanced Study,
Kyushu University
President Emeritus,
National Center for Global
Health and Medicine

Professor,
The Institute of Medical Science
The University of Tokyo

Professor,
Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo

Hiroshi Honda

Professor,
Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University

Hidenori Ichijo

Professor,
Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
The University of Tokyo

Suminori Kono

President,
National Institute of Health and Nutrition

Toru Nakano

Professor,
Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University

Yasuharu Nishimura

Professor,
Kyoto University Kokoro Research Center

Nobuhide Kasagi

Noriko Osumi

Tsutomu Kimura

Masakatsu Shibasaki

Hiroshi Kuwahara

Atsuko Tsuji

Professor, Department of Environmental Life Sciences,
Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University

Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo
Principal Fellow, Japan Science and Technology Agency

Senior Corporate Advisor, Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.

Director, Center for Neuroscience,
Tohoku University School of Medicine

Chairman of Board of Directors
Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation
Director, Institute of Microbial Chemistry
Staff Writer,
Op-Ed Section, The Asahi Shimbun( alphabetical order, titles as of November, 2014)

Schedule (2016-2018)

Keiya Ozawa

The fields eligible for the Japan Prize (2016 to 2018) have been decided for the two research areas, respectively.
These fields rotate every three years, basically.
Every year the Fields Selection Committee announces the eligible field for the next three years.

Sumio Sugano

Area of Physics, Chemistry and Engineering

Professor,
Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University
Director, IMSUT Hospital
Director, Center for Gene & Cell Therapy
The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo
Professor,
Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo

Specialist

Shintaro Funahashi

Former Director, TDK Corporation

Tohru Nakashizuka

Director General,
National Museum of Nature and Science

Professor,
Medical School Dean, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences,
Osaka University

Toshinori Nakayama

Kenichi Mori

Yoshihiro Hayashi

Advisor to Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology

MemberHidenao Fukuyama“Resources, Energy and Social Infrastructure” field“Medical Science and Medicinal Science” field

Fields Selection Committee for the 2016 Japan Prize

Selection Subcommittee for the “Medical Science and Medicinal Science” field

Director & Professor,
Human Brain Research Center
Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine

Dr. Yutaka Takahasi, river engineer who helped reduce
disasters with his comprehensive flood control concept, andDr. Theodore Friedmann and Prof. Alain Fischer,the firsts to propose and clinically prove gene therapy concept

The 2016 Japan Prize in the fields of “Biological Production and Biological Environment” will be awarded to individuals who havemade significant contributions to the welfare of society by achieving momentous scientific and technological breakthroughs in the
improvement of biological production of food and other useful materials to overcome hunger and poverty as well as to assure theirsafety, or in the development of technologies that will measure and evaluate the effects of human activity on the environment or serve as
environmental countermeasures , thereby helping to protect and conserve the biological environment and biodiversity.

President,
Japan Water Research Center

Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering,
Chuo University
Assistant to the President,
Hirosaki University

Achievement eligible:

2015 Japan Prize Laureates Announced

Takeshi Komai

Professor of Chemical System Engineering
School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
Director & Professor,
Education and Research Center for Sustainable Co-Development
Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University

Discoveries and inventions of new materials with nonconventional functionality and characteristics as well as of advanced production
technologies have brought about numerous technological innovations, thereby contributing greatly to the advancement of society.
For instance, we have designed and successfully synthesized artificial materials with new functions, such as semiconductors, polymers,
nano-materials, and catalysts, and discovered new natural products. We have also developed new fields of industrial engineering such as design
and manufacturing technologies supported by high-performance computers, precision measurement techniques, and robotics that contribute to
the efficiency of production process.
In order to make effective use of finite resources and build a sustainable society for the future, a new paradigm for the development of materials
with new functions and groundbreaking technologies for industrial design, production and operation are necessary.

Achievement eligible:

Professor Emeritus,
The University of Tokyo

Jan. 2015

Background and rationale:

Makoto Misono

Director,
The Japan Prize Foundation

No. 53www.japanprize.jp

Masayuki Matsushita

MemberMakoto Asashima

Materials and Production

The existence of human beings is completely dependent on the continuous and diverse use of Earth’s biological resources. In recent years, however, thebiological environment of our planet, which fosters indispensable biological resources, is deteriorating rapidly. Despite many technological innovations
that have dramatically increased our food production capacity, the human race is set to outgrow that capacity at an even greater pace and environmental
issues are on the rise.
In order to maintain the precious biological environment of our global society, there is an ever-growing need for development of sustainable andenvironmentally conscious biological production technologies, as well as creation of environmental technologies for the conservation of biodiversity.

Members of the 2015 Japan Prize Selection Committee
Executive Director,
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Area ofPhysics, Chemistry
and Engineering

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

Naoyuki Shigematsu

Professor,
Keio University, School of Medicine( alphabetical order, titles as of November, 2014)

Area of Life Science, Agriculture and Medicine

Year

Eligible Fields

Year

Eligible Fields

2016
2017
2018

Materials, Production
Electronics, Information, Communication
Resources, Energy, Social Infrastructure

2016
2017
2018

Biological Production, Biological Environment
Life Science
Medical Science, Medicinal Science

Dr. Yutaka Takahasi
Professor Emeritus,
University of TokyoJapan

Dr. Theodore Friedmann

Prof. Alain Fischer

United States

FranceProfessor of Pediatrics
University of California San Diego,
School of Medicine

Professor at Collège de France
Director of Institut Imagine,
Hôpital Necker-Enfants malades

The Japan Prize Foundation has decided the recipients of the 2015 (31st) Japan Prize. In the field of “Resources, Energy
and Social Infrastructure,” Dr. Yutaka Takahasi of Japan was recognized for his “contribution to development of innovative
concept on river basin management and reduction of water-related disasters.” His comprehensive concept of river basin
management, which involves not only banks and dams but also rainwater storage and infiltration technology, has led tosignificant reduction of water-related disasters and improvement in river environment in Japan and overseas, especiallycountries in the Asian monsoon region.
In the field of “Medical Science and Medicinal Science,” Dr. Theodore Friedmann of the United States and Prof. Alain
Fischer of France were selected for the “proposal of the concept of gene therapy and its clinical applications.” During the1970s, Dr. Friedmann became the first to propose the concept of gene therapy, and Prof. Fischer was the world’ s first to
clinically prove the dramatic effectiveness of gene therapy.
To honor the three distinguished scientists, an award-presentation ceremony will be held in Tokyo on April 23, 2015.

The Japan Prize is awarded to scientists and researchers, regardless ofnationality, who have made significant contributions to the progress ofscience and technology as well as society to serve the cause of peace andprosperity of mankind.

While the prize encompasses all categories of science and technology, twofields of study are designated for the prize each year in consideration ofdevelopments in science and technology. Each Japan Prize laureate receives
a certificate of merit and a prize medal. A cash prize of 50 million yen is also
awarded to each prize field.

phoon Kathleen onward. In 1953, as a graduate student, he conducteda survey on Chikugo River in Kyushu, southern Japan, and marked an
important milestone by elucidating the correlation between historicaltransformation in the land developed after the Meiji Restoration andflood disasters.

“Resources, Energy and Social Infrastructure” field
Achievement : Contribution to development of innovative
concept on river basin management andreduction of water-related disasters

At this point, Dr. Takahasi focused on observations from older local
residents. They said “floods these days occur quickly,” and “comparedto our younger days, rain falling upstream comes downstream much
more quickly than it used to.”Dr. Yutaka Takahasi

Born: January 28, 1927 (Age: 88)Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo

Summary
We humans benefit from rivers in our day-to-day lives, but on
occasion, suffer severe damage from bank collapse due to swelling
river waters. Dr. Yutaka Takahasi has conducted field surveys and data
analysis on post-war flood disasters, such as those caused by typhoons,and scientifically verified that transformations in river basins due tolarge-scale river improvements and developments from the Meiji Era
onward have contributed to the magnification of the scale of floods. In
addition, in order to reduce the scale of flood damage, he has continued
to propose “integrated flood control measures,” which aim not only
to make river improvements such as the building of banks but also
to achieve basin management through regulating reservoirs and themaintenance of a sound water cycle. Dr. Takahasi’s proposal has also
been applied to measures against flood disasters frequently occurring
worldwide which have been attributed to global warming.

River improvements and basin transformation from the Meiji
Restoration onward as the background for large-scale floods
Dr. Takahasi was born in Shizuoka Prefecture in 1927. He grew
up in a rural area where the underground water of Abe River gushed
forth. In 1947, two years after the end of World War II, he entered
the Second Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering
at the University of Tokyo. As to the reason for his applying for thatdepartment, he commented, “At the time, not only was the country
devastated by the war, but it also suffered major flood disasters every
year. I believed that restoration from disasters was the first step
towards rebuilding the country.”
In actuality, during the 15 post-war years, catastrophic typhoon
disasters of historic scale occurred one after another. Typhoon
Kathleen, which landed Japan in the year Dr. Takahasi entered theuniversity, destroyed the bank of Tone River and submerged theeastern part of the capital city, Tokyo. Also in 1959, Typhoon Vera(known as Ise Bay Typhoon) took the lives of 4,697 people.
Dr. Takahasi conducted field surveys on flood disasters from Ty-

Why was that? The Meiji Government proactively imported westernscience and technology and as far as river technology was concerned,in 1872, invited a Dutch technician to launch a modern river improvement operation. At that time, the government built continuous banks inmajor rivers so as to protect people who had been suffering from floods
for many years. Their course of action was not to let even a droplet ofwater outside the bank even in the event of a major flood.
Through this approach, small to medium-size floods were controlledfrom Taisho to Showa Eras; however, at the same time there was a phenomenon in which the flow rate increased each time a flood occurred.
Before the building of a bank, a small overflow would occur upstream,
delaying water from concentrating in major rivers. However, with continuous banks, large volumes of rainwater now arrived at downstream
urban areas in a short period of time.
Dr. Takahasi carefully studied old reference materials remaining
in the local communities as well as weather and river data, andscientifically clarified that basin transformation accompanying river
improvements and development from banks after the Meiji Era hascontributed to the increase in the flood scale. In 1955, he wrote anarticle entitled “Gradual Alteration in the Flow Characteristics of the
Chikugo-River Flood.”

Introducing basin management concept to flood control
consisting only of structures such as banks
Typhoon Ida (known as Kanogawa Typhoon) which hit Japan in1958 served as a trigger for Dr. Takahasi to contemplate the effects thaturbanization has on flood damage. After inflicting severe damage on
Shizuoka Prefecture in central Japan, Kanogawa Typhoon hit around
Enoshima, an island near Yokohama, for the second time. Tokyo and
Yokohama were undergoing a rapid urbanization around that time,with increasing population and development of new residential areas
around rivers. At the same time, forests and fields, which can retain
water in case of heavy rains or storms, were diminishing. Large-scale
flood damage occurred in such areas. Similar flood damage also
occurred consecutively in the 1960’s, and Dr. Takahasi coined theTransition in the damage costs due to post- war floods ( trillion yen)
(Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)

60

2014

2010

2000

1990

0

1980

0

1970

20

1960

1

1950

40

1946

2

Cumulative damage costs
since 1946

Annual damage costs(trillion yen)3

Summary of comprehensive flood control measures
Structural measures

Example of the comprehensive flood
control measures of Tsurumi RiverThe
multipurpose
retardingbasin undernormalconditions

During flood
control

Non-structural measures

River improvement

Basin management

Land use adjustment

Warning / evacuation system

Widening of the river channel
Embankment / shore protection
Riverbed excavation
Discharge channel excavation
Flood control reservoir

Reservoir facility
Infiltration facility

Water source preservation
Waterproofing of facilities

Release of a disaster map
Forecast / warning system
Transmission of flood information
Support for flood control operations

This is an example of the present “comprehensive flood control measures,” which is a realization of Dr. Takahasi’s
river philosophy. Not only is river improvement the goal, but also through non-structural measures such as water
source preservation and maintenance of a sound water cycle, the reduction of flood disaster risks as well asprotection of lives in the event of a disaster are targeted.

(Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure,
Transport andTourism)

A large-scale multipurpose retarding basin has beencreated In the Tsurumi River area, which suffered severe
damage caused by the Kanogawa Typhoon in 1958.
When the river volume increases, the water is channeledinto the retarding basin, thereby preventing the flooding of
the residential areas.

phrase for such phenomena, “urban-type flood damage.”
Dr. Takahasi became assistant professor of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Tokyo in 1961 and took up a professorshipthere in 1968. He inspired his students to study by often tellingthem to “look closely at the rivers.” That meant not only observation of the river itself, but also the geographical features of theriver basin and flora, and furthermore the lives of the people living
there. Dr. Takahasi’s research can be said to be the origin of“interdisciplinary research,” not confined to a specific discipline.
In 1971, Dr. Takahasi published a new perspective obtained fromsuch extensive field surveys in a book entitled “Land Transformation
and Flood Disasters.” In his writing, proposals to implement flood
control measures in relation to the river basin were incorporated, andnot merely flood control with structures such as banks.
This new concept led to major changes in national flood control
projects. From 1980 onward, “integrated flood control” measures were
implemented to suppress flood runoff by building retarding basins andregulating reservoirs in areas where rainwater flows into major rivers.
In particular, this approach was implemented nationwide starting withurban areas with major rivers running through them, which suffered intensified flood damage due to post-war development. These measuresbrought about far reaching effects on the mitigation of flood damage.

Efforts to counter flood disasters in the monsoon region
Changing the world through renewed river philosophy
Dr. Takahasi has been peering into Japanese rivers since the end ofWorld War II. In 1990, he wrote a university text book entitled “River
Engineering,” in which a renewed river philosophy, not seen inconventional river engineering, was incorporated in many areas.
Conventionally, emphasis was placed on flood control and water
utilization along the river course (the course to which water runs), butmore important is to widen one’s perspective to the river basin. Additionally, suggestions were made to contemplate the effects that riverprojects have on the environment and to consider public involvement
in river planning. A new river engineering system was created that
integrates the river, the natural environment and residents’ living
space into one.
Furthermore, Dr. Takahasi proposed to protect the “sound water
cycle” in the nation’s water administration. Before that time, water
was categorized into rivers, underground water and agricultural water,and managed independently by respective administrative sectors.
However, in order to efficiently utilize this precious resource, heasserted the need for law that allows for a unified management in thelight of the water cycle of the river basin. His idea was reflected in the“basic water cycle law” sponsored by a cross-party group of lawmakers that was enacted in 2014.
As an overseas endeavor, Dr. Takahasi developed a cooperation
system of 13 countries in the Asia monsoon region, where the naturaland social environment is similar to that of Japan, and has exerted
himself to establish regional cooperation and human resource development in this field. As a result, flood damage in this region has been
mitigated and improvements in the river environment have beenachieved. In particular, regarding the cyclone disaster in Bangladesh
which claimed approximately 140,000 lives in 1991, he authored theUnited Nations report that proposed to “improve the provision of
information and shelter for evacuation over bank improvement.”
Based on the proposal, improvements with ODA assistance also
progressed, so that in a similar-scale storm surge disaster which
occurred in 2007, the victims were reduced to approximately 4,000.
In 2009, the International Journal of Water Resources Development,
the most prestigious specialized international journal in the water
resources sector, issued a special issue dedicated to Dr. Takahasi,featuring an individual for the first time in the journal’s 25-year
history to praise his great contributions in the field of water resources
and flood control.
In recent years, amid frequent occurrences worldwide of large scale
flood disasters deemed attributable to global warming, new flood
control measures and water resource management are sought after.
The river philosophy advocated by Dr. Takahasi will no doubt live onas the foundation of flood control measures of the next generation.

“Medical Science and Medicinal Science” field
Achievement : Proposal of the concept of gene therapy andits clinical applications

Figure 1 : What is an ideal gene delivery vector?
Inserted therapeutic genes

VectorDr. Theodore Friedmann

Born: June 16, 1935 (Age: 79)
Professor of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego,
School of Medicine

Prof. Alain Fischer

Born: September 11, 1949 (Age: 65)
Professor at Collège de France,
Director of Institute Imagine, Hôpital Necker-Enfants malades

Summary“Injecting genes or gene-transduced cells into a human body forthe purpose of treating diseases” is called gene therapy. In the last
few years, there has been a series of reports on convincing clinicalefficacy of gene therapy in patients suffering from difficult-to-treat
diseases, such as congenital diseases and intractable neurologicaldiseases. The origin of gene therapy can be traced back about 40
years ago to 1972, when Dr. Theodore Friedmann published an article
on the revolutionary therapeutic concept and research procedure in ascientific journal. In the years following that event, many researchers
carried out fundamental research. Clinical studies started in 1990, but
no convincing clinical efficacy could be established. After a period of
trial and error, in 1999, Prof. Alain Fischer successfully implemented
a hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy on patients with X-linked
severe combined immunodeficiency disease with dramatic results,
proving the efficacy of gene therapy. The vision of gene therapy as
portrayed by Dr. Friedmann and the empirical study carried out by
Prof. Fischer paved the way for the present gene therapy.

Delivering a normal, therapeutic gene into a defective cellby using a virus as a carrier
Humans differ in many properties, such as height, hair color, andsome have a tendency to be overweight while others don’t. The
reason is that the information inscribed in our genes differs slightly
from person to person. Sometimes an abnormality in the gene cancause an inherited disease. For example, if the gene producing adenosine deaminase (ADA), an enzyme related to nucleic acid metabolism in the cell, has an abnormality, lymphocytes which control the
immune system cannot proliferate even after birth, so that without
treatment, the individual would have severe immunodeficiency.
Hemophilia and muscular dystrophy are also examples of typicalcongenital diseases.
In treating such diseases with few effective treatment options,progress in the field of “genetic engineering” provided a ray of hope.
In the early 1970’s, the technology of isolating desired genes andtransducing them to cells was developed. Many clinicians anticipatedthat “inserting normal genes to patients would lead to a fundamental
cure for congenital diseases.”
Amid such a climate, it was Dr. Theodore Friedmann, an assistantprofessor at the University of California, San Diego, who set the course
for the realization of gene therapy based on scientific data.
For example, what is required in gene therapy is “safely transducing
the target gene into the patient’s body” and “long-term stable gene expression within the body.” In 1972, Dr. Friedmann and his colleague,
Dr. Richard Roblin, co-authored an article in the Science journal. In
the article, they explained the concept and importance of gene therapy,
as well as the importance of the method using a virus as a gene delivery
vector in injecting normal genes into the patient. They also indicatedthat there were many obstacles to be cleared before it could be put into
clinical application.
The word “vector” originates from a Latin word meaning “carrier.”
A virus multiplies by transducing its genes into the cell it infects andusing the cell’s function. The idea is to use this virus as a carrier todeliver the desired therapeutic gene into the defective cell in order toDisplaced viral genes

No unwanted viral proteins
TherapeuticproteinNo new virus

No viral genes
Ideal treatment as advocated by Dr. Friedmann. Viral genes are replaced withtherapeutic genes to convert a virus into a safe therapy vector, which infects thetarget cell. The transduced genes synthesize therapeutic protein, but no unwanted
viral proteins that cause side effects, since vital genes from the virus are removed.
Source: Overcoming the Obstacles to Gene Therapy by Theodore Friedmann,
Scientific American, June 1997

recover the lost function. Among such viruses, retrovirus has thecharacteristic to be able to insert a gene into the cell chromosome,enabling a relatively stable gene expression to take place. Thus,
retroviruses were thought to be the most promising as a gene delivery
vector.

First dramatic clinical effect demonstrates
efficacy of gene therapyWith the advocacy of gene therapy by Dr. Friedmann and hiscolleagues, researchers worldwide embarked on the study, andanticipation toward clinical application was heightened. In 1982,
the U.S. presidential commission for the study of ethical problems
in medicine and biomedical research published a report on the socialand ethical issues of genetic engineering with human beings, and in
1986, gene therapy guidelines were announced by the U.S. National
Institute of Health (NIH) .
It seemed as if the time was ripe for gene therapy; in the 1990’s
researchers worldwide were competing to conduct clinical studies.
In 1990, the world’s first gene therapy was carried out on patientswith ADA deficiency, a severe inherited immune system disorder,
by a research group headed by the NIH in the United States. In 1995,
Hokkaido University in Japan performed gene therapy for the samedisease.
However, the initial results of such therapy did not live up to
expectations. In 1997, Dr. Friedmann wrote in a scientific journal:“So far no approach has definitively improved the health of a single
one of the more than 2,000 patients who have enrolled in gene therapy trials. This lack of a convincing therapeutic benefit is sobering.”
Reasons cited for the ineffectiveness included that genes introduced
into the patients did not reach enough of the appropriate cells andthat with time, the transduced genes shut off protein synthesis in thetarget cell.
While the researchers felt they’re at an impasse, a research groupheaded by Prof. Alain Fischer, Director of the Department of Pediatric Immunology at Hôpital Necker-Enfants malades in France,
achieved a breakthrough. He successfully performed gene therapy
on patients with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency
disease (X-SCID), an inherent immune system disorder caused bya defect on the X chromosome.
There was a difference in the target cells between the first genetherapy carried out in 1990 in the U. S. and Prof. Fischer’s method
used in 1999. In the 1990 trial, genes were transduced to lymphocytes
extracted from the body and the genes had to be administered manytimes to maintain a therapeutic level. On the contrary, Prof. Fischer
first isolated hematopoietic stem cells of the bone marrow, the sourceof lymphocytes, and inserted genes into the stem cells. Thus, evenwith a single administration, the hematopoietic stem cells continue

Figure 2 : Gene therapy with dramatic effects
Hematopoietic
stem cells

Blood cell differentiation
Red blood cells
White blood cells
Platelets

Recombinant virus
used as a genedelivery vector

Lymphocytes

Patient

Transducing hematopoietic
stem cells into genes

Gene therapy Prof. Fischer performed in 1999 on patients with X-linked severe
combined immunodeficiency disease. Normal genes are delivered by a retroviral
vector into hematopoietic stem cells, the source of lymphocytes which play a vitalrole in immunity. This method, through a single administration, enables continuous
production of normally functioning lymphocytes, with proven continuous clinicalefficacy.

to produce lymphocytes one after another, enabling the patients torecover their immune function in the long run.
The article presented by Prof. Fischer in 2000 provided a strong
impact and courage to researchers worldwide. It instilled confidence
that when the biological characteristics of the target cells and thetransduction vectors were thoroughly examined, there was great
potential for gene therapy to play a major part in next-generation
medicine.

Overcoming twists and turns,
gene therapy making strides towards practical application
Even after that time, gene therapy had many twists and turns. Prof.
Fischer himself suspended the therapy temporarily in 2002. Four out
of 10 patients who were undergoing the therapy were diagnosed withleukemia. In addition, in an altogether different type of gene therapy,
there was a fatal incident related to gene therapy in the United Statesin 1999.
Due to such circumstances, gene therapy had to be carried out withfurther discretion. Prof. Fischer and his colleagues identified thecause of the problem and implemented safety measures. By meansof long-term follow-up on patients, they established the scientificevidence that “regarding severe immunodeficiency, gene therapy
has shown efficacy equal to conventional hematopoietic stem celltransplant treatment, and is a safer option of the two.”
After fatal side-effect incidents, clinical studies on gene therapy
were stagnant. However, from around 2008, successful cases ofgene therapy were successively made public. One new trend ofresearch was the active implementation of gene therapy using an
adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector.
In addition, not only were inherited diseases, which were theoriginal target of gene therapy, but it is also noteworthy that the scopeof gene therapy was now expanded to include acquired diseases aswell. Thus, the idea shifted from “curing the gene” (ultimate genetherapy) to “curing with the gene” (the majority of present genetherapy). In other words, this means not to make abnormal genes
normal, but to transduce genes with the desired therapeutic functions.
One example of this is gene therapy for Parkinson's Disease. AAV
vectors are capable of gene delivery to terminally differentiated cells
such as nerve cells which do not divide, thus enabling long-term gene
expression. In a clinical study which transduced genes synthesizing
a neurotransmitter called dopamine, which is lacking in Parkinson’s
patients, improvement in symptoms was verified in patients.
Gene therapy is now making significant progress. To get to thispoint, Dr. Friedmann’s foresight with his scientific vision of genetherapy and Prof. Fischer’s achievements in realizing that visionboth proved to be indispensable.

Nominations and Selection Process■

Every November, the Field Selection Committee of The Japan Prize Foundation designates and announces two
fields in which the Japan Prize will be awarded two years hence. At the same time, the Foundation calls for over
13,000 nominators, strictly comprised of prominent scientists and researchers from around the world invitedby the Foundation, to nominate the candidates through the web by JPNS (Japan Prize Nomination System).
The deadline for nominations is the end of February of the following year.

■

For each field, a Selection Subcommittee conducts a rigorous evaluation of the candidates’ academic achievements.
The conclusions are then forwarded to the Selection Committee, which conducts evaluations of candidates’ achievementsfrom a wider perspective, including contributions to the progress of science and technology, and significant advancement
towards the cause of world peace and prosperity, and finally the selected candidates are recommended for the Prize.

■

The recommendations are then sent to the Foundation’s Board of Directors, which makes the final decision on the recipients.

■

The nomination and selection process takes almost one year from the time that the fields are decided. Every January,
the winners of that year’s Japan Prize are announced. The Presentation Ceremony is held in April in Tokyo.

November, 2013
Determinethe fields eligible
for the 2015
Japan Prize
Resources, Energy andSocial Infrastructure

End February, 2014

January, 2015

April, 2015

Announce
the Laureatesof the 2015
Japan Prize

The 2015
Japan Prize
Presentation
Ceremony

Selection Committee

Invite thenominations

Closing of thenominations

Selection Subcommittee
for Resources, Energy andSocial Infrastructure

Board ofDirectors

Selection Subcommittee
for Medical Science andMedicinal Science

Medical Science andMedicinal Science

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

No. 53Jan. 2015

www.japanprize.jp

2015 Japan Prize Laureates Announced
Dr. Yutaka Takahasi, river engineer who helped reduce
disasters with his comprehensive flood control concept, andDr. Theodore Friedmann and Prof. Alain Fischer,the firsts to propose and clinically prove gene therapy concept“Resources, Energy and Social Infrastructure” field“Medical Science and Medicinal Science” field

Members of the 2015 Japan Prize Selection Committee
MemberMakoto Asashima

Executive Director,
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Kunio Iwatsuki

ChairmanVice Chairman

Hiroshi Komiyama

Ryozo Nagai

Chairman of the Institute,
Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.
President Emeritus,
The University of Tokyo

President,
Jichi Medical University

Professor Emeritus,
The University of Tokyo

Yoshio Karita

Director,
The Japan Prize Foundation

Masafumi Maeda

Executive Vice President, Professor,
The University of Tokyo

Masayuki Matsushita

Director,
The Japan Prize Foundation

Makoto Misono

Professor Emeritus,
The University of Tokyo

Hideo Miyahara

Professor Emeritus,
Osaka University

Takehiko Sasazuki

University Professor, Institute for Advanced Study, Kyushu University
President Emeritus, National Center for Global Health and Medicine

Selection Subcommittee for the “ Resources, Energy and Social Infrastructure” field
MemberKazunari Domen

Chairman

Deputy Chairman

Makoto Misono

Takashi Ibusuki

Professor Emeritus,
The University of Tokyo

Chief Advisor
Japan Environmental Management
Association for Industry

Takeshi Komai

Professor of Chemical System Engineering
School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

Professor, Graduate School of Environmental Studies
Tohoku University

Yoshitsugu Hayashi

Shinichiro Ohgaki

Director & Professor,
Education and Research Center for Sustainable Co-Development
Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University

Shunsuke Ikeda

Professor Emeritus,
Tokyo Institute of Technology

Mikiko Ishikawa

Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering,
Chuo University

Masayuki Kamimoto

Assistant to the President,
Hirosaki University

President,
Japan Water Research Center

Keiko Sasaki

Professor,
Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University

Takashi Tatsumi

Executive Vice President for Research
Tokyo Institute of Technology

Akira Yabe

Vice President, National Institute of Advanced Industrial
Science and Technology

Selection Subcommittee for the “Medical Science and Medicinal Science” field
MemberHidenao Fukuyama

Director & Professor,
Human Brain Research Center
Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine

Yukiko Gotoh

Chairman

Deputy Chairman

Takehiko Sasazuki

Aikichi Iwamoto

University Professor,
Institute for Advanced Study,
Kyushu University
President Emeritus,
National Center for Global
Health and Medicine

Professor,
The Institute of Medical Science
The University of Tokyo

Professor,
Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo

Hiroshi Honda

Professor,
Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University

Hidenori Ichijo

Professor,
Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
The University of Tokyo

Suminori Kono

President,
National Institute of Health and Nutrition

Toru Nakano

Professor,
Medical School Dean, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences,
Osaka University

Toshinori Nakayama

Professor,
Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University

Yasuharu Nishimura

Professor,
Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University

Shintaro Funahashi

Professor Emeritus,
University of TokyoJapan

Dr. Theodore Friedmann

Prof. Alain Fischer

United States

FranceProfessor of Pediatrics
University of California San Diego,
School of Medicine

Professor at Collège de France
Director of Institut Imagine,
Hôpital Necker-Enfants malades

The Japan Prize Foundation has decided the recipients of the 2015 (31st) Japan Prize. In the field of “Resources, Energy
and Social Infrastructure,” Dr. Yutaka Takahasi of Japan was recognized for his “contribution to development of innovative
concept on river basin management and reduction of water-related disasters.” His comprehensive concept of river basin
management, which involves not only banks and dams but also rainwater storage and infiltration technology, has led tosignificant reduction of water-related disasters and improvement in river environment in Japan and overseas, especiallycountries in the Asian monsoon region.
In the field of “Medical Science and Medicinal Science,” Dr. Theodore Friedmann of the United States and Prof. Alain
Fischer of France were selected for the “proposal of the concept of gene therapy and its clinical applications.” During the1970s, Dr. Friedmann became the first to propose the concept of gene therapy, and Prof. Fischer was the world’ s first to
clinically prove the dramatic effectiveness of gene therapy.
To honor the three distinguished scientists, an award-presentation ceremony will be held in Tokyo on April 23, 2015.

Keiya Ozawa

Director, IMSUT Hospital
Director, Center for Gene & Cell Therapy
The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo

Sumio Sugano

Professor,
Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo

Specialist
Professor,
Kyoto University Kokoro Research Center

Dr. Yutaka Takahasi

Naoyuki Shigematsu

Professor,
Keio University, School of Medicine( alphabetical order, titles as of November, 2014)

The Japan Prize is awarded to scientists and researchers, regardless ofnationality, who have made significant contributions to the progress ofscience and technology as well as society to serve the cause of peace andprosperity of mankind.

While the prize encompasses all categories of science and technology, twofields of study are designated for the prize each year in consideration ofdevelopments in science and technology. Each Japan Prize laureate receives
a certificate of merit and a prize medal. A cash prize of 50 million yen is also
awarded to each prize field.

Fields Eligible for the 2016 Japan Prize

Nominations and Selection Process■

Every November, the Field Selection Committee of The Japan Prize Foundation designates and announces two
fields in which the Japan Prize will be awarded two years hence. At the same time, the Foundation calls for over
13,000 nominators, strictly comprised of prominent scientists and researchers from around the world invitedby the Foundation, to nominate the candidates through the web by JPNS (Japan Prize Nomination System).
The deadline for nominations is the end of February of the following year.

■

For each field, a Selection Subcommittee conducts a rigorous evaluation of the candidates’ academic achievements.
The conclusions are then forwarded to the Selection Committee, which conducts evaluations of candidates’ achievementsfrom a wider perspective, including contributions to the progress of science and technology, and significant advancement
towards the cause of world peace and prosperity, and finally the selected candidates are recommended for the Prize.

■

The recommendations are then sent to the Foundation’s Board of Directors, which makes the final decision on the recipients.

■

The nomination and selection process takes almost one year from the time that the fields are decided. Every January,
the winners of that year’s Japan Prize are announced. The Presentation Ceremony is held in April in Tokyo.

November, 2013
Determinethe fields eligible
for the 2015
Japan Prize
Resources, Energy andSocial Infrastructure

End February, 2014

January, 2015

April, 2015

Announce
the Laureatesof the 2015
Japan Prize

The 2015
Japan Prize
Presentation
Ceremony

Selection Committee

Invite thenominations

Closing of thenominations

Selection Subcommittee
for Resources, Energy andSocial Infrastructure

Board ofDirectors

Selection Subcommittee
for Medical Science andMedicinal Science

Medical Science andMedicinal Science

Kunio Iwatsuki

ChairmanVice Chairman

Professor Emeritus,
The University of Tokyo

Hiroshi Komiyama

Ryozo Nagai

Yoshio Karita

Chairman of the Institute,
Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.
President Emeritus,
The University of Tokyo

President,
Jichi Medical University

Director,
The Japan Prize Foundation

Masafumi Maeda

Executive Vice President, Professor,
The University of Tokyo

Hideo Miyahara

Professor Emeritus,
Osaka University

Takehiko Sasazuki

University Professor, Institute for Advanced Study, Kyushu University
President Emeritus, National Center for Global Health and Medicine

Selection Subcommittee for the “ Resources, Energy and Social Infrastructure” field
MemberKazunari Domen

Chairman

Deputy Chairman

Makoto Misono

Takashi Ibusuki

Professor Emeritus,
The University of Tokyo

Chief Advisor
Japan Environmental Management
Association for Industry

Professor, Graduate School of Environmental Studies
Tohoku University

Yoshitsugu Hayashi

Shinichiro Ohgaki

Shunsuke Ikeda

Professor Emeritus,
Tokyo Institute of Technology

Mikiko Ishikawa

The 2016 Japan Prize in the fields of “Materials and Production” will be awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions tosociety by achieving momentous scientific and technological breakthroughs that improve the quality and safety of people’s lives while ensuring
the sustainability of society by designing and developing materials with new functions, or by advancing the technologies for industrial design,
production and operation, that will create new products, services and industries.
Area of
Life Science, Agricultureand Medicine

Biological Production and Biological Environment

Background and rationale:

Keiko Sasaki

Professor,
Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University

Takashi Tatsumi

Executive Vice President for Research
Tokyo Institute of Technology

Masayuki Kamimoto

Akira Yabe

MemberKazuhito Hashimoto

Professor, Department of Applied Chemistry,
Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

ChairmanVice Chairman

Katsuhiko Shirai

Kohei Miyazono

Chairperson,
The Foundation
for the Open Universityof JapanProfessor,
Department of
Molecular Pathology,
Graduate School of Medicine,
The University of Tokyo

Vice President, National Institute of Advanced Industrial
Science and Technology

Yukiko Gotoh

Chairman

Deputy Chairman

Takehiko Sasazuki

Aikichi Iwamoto

University Professor,
Institute for Advanced Study,
Kyushu University
President Emeritus,
National Center for Global
Health and Medicine

Professor,
The Institute of Medical Science
The University of Tokyo

Professor,
Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo

Hiroshi Honda

Professor,
Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University

Hidenori Ichijo

Professor,
Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
The University of Tokyo

Suminori Kono

President,
National Institute of Health and Nutrition

Toru Nakano

Professor,
Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University

Yasuharu Nishimura

Professor,
Kyoto University Kokoro Research Center

Nobuhide Kasagi

Noriko Osumi

Tsutomu Kimura

Masakatsu Shibasaki

Hiroshi Kuwahara

Atsuko Tsuji

Professor, Department of Environmental Life Sciences,
Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University

Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo
Principal Fellow, Japan Science and Technology Agency

Senior Corporate Advisor, Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.

Director, Center for Neuroscience,
Tohoku University School of Medicine

Chairman of Board of Directors
Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation
Director, Institute of Microbial Chemistry
Staff Writer,
Op-Ed Section, The Asahi Shimbun( alphabetical order, titles as of November, 2014)

Schedule (2016-2018)

Keiya Ozawa

The fields eligible for the Japan Prize (2016 to 2018) have been decided for the two research areas, respectively.
These fields rotate every three years, basically.
Every year the Fields Selection Committee announces the eligible field for the next three years.

Sumio Sugano

Area of Physics, Chemistry and Engineering

Professor,
Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University
Director, IMSUT Hospital
Director, Center for Gene & Cell Therapy
The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo
Professor,
Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo

Specialist

Shintaro Funahashi

Former Director, TDK Corporation

Tohru Nakashizuka

Director General,
National Museum of Nature and Science

Professor,
Medical School Dean, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences,
Osaka University

Toshinori Nakayama

Kenichi Mori

Yoshihiro Hayashi

Advisor to Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology

MemberHidenao Fukuyama“Resources, Energy and Social Infrastructure” field“Medical Science and Medicinal Science” field

Fields Selection Committee for the 2016 Japan Prize

Selection Subcommittee for the “Medical Science and Medicinal Science” field

Director & Professor,
Human Brain Research Center
Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine

Dr. Yutaka Takahasi, river engineer who helped reduce
disasters with his comprehensive flood control concept, andDr. Theodore Friedmann and Prof. Alain Fischer,the firsts to propose and clinically prove gene therapy concept

The 2016 Japan Prize in the fields of “Biological Production and Biological Environment” will be awarded to individuals who havemade significant contributions to the welfare of society by achieving momentous scientific and technological breakthroughs in the
improvement of biological production of food and other useful materials to overcome hunger and poverty as well as to assure theirsafety, or in the development of technologies that will measure and evaluate the effects of human activity on the environment or serve as
environmental countermeasures , thereby helping to protect and conserve the biological environment and biodiversity.

President,
Japan Water Research Center

Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering,
Chuo University
Assistant to the President,
Hirosaki University

Achievement eligible:

2015 Japan Prize Laureates Announced

Takeshi Komai

Professor of Chemical System Engineering
School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
Director & Professor,
Education and Research Center for Sustainable Co-Development
Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University

Discoveries and inventions of new materials with nonconventional functionality and characteristics as well as of advanced production
technologies have brought about numerous technological innovations, thereby contributing greatly to the advancement of society.
For instance, we have designed and successfully synthesized artificial materials with new functions, such as semiconductors, polymers,
nano-materials, and catalysts, and discovered new natural products. We have also developed new fields of industrial engineering such as design
and manufacturing technologies supported by high-performance computers, precision measurement techniques, and robotics that contribute to
the efficiency of production process.
In order to make effective use of finite resources and build a sustainable society for the future, a new paradigm for the development of materials
with new functions and groundbreaking technologies for industrial design, production and operation are necessary.

Achievement eligible:

Professor Emeritus,
The University of Tokyo

Jan. 2015

Background and rationale:

Makoto Misono

Director,
The Japan Prize Foundation

No. 53www.japanprize.jp

Masayuki Matsushita

MemberMakoto Asashima

Materials and Production

The existence of human beings is completely dependent on the continuous and diverse use of Earth’s biological resources. In recent years, however, thebiological environment of our planet, which fosters indispensable biological resources, is deteriorating rapidly. Despite many technological innovations
that have dramatically increased our food production capacity, the human race is set to outgrow that capacity at an even greater pace and environmental
issues are on the rise.
In order to maintain the precious biological environment of our global society, there is an ever-growing need for development of sustainable andenvironmentally conscious biological production technologies, as well as creation of environmental technologies for the conservation of biodiversity.

Members of the 2015 Japan Prize Selection Committee
Executive Director,
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Area ofPhysics, Chemistry
and Engineering

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

Naoyuki Shigematsu

Professor,
Keio University, School of Medicine( alphabetical order, titles as of November, 2014)

Area of Life Science, Agriculture and Medicine

Year

Eligible Fields

Year

Eligible Fields

2016
2017
2018

Materials, Production
Electronics, Information, Communication
Resources, Energy, Social Infrastructure

2016
2017
2018

Biological Production, Biological Environment
Life Science
Medical Science, Medicinal Science

Dr. Yutaka Takahasi
Professor Emeritus,
University of TokyoJapan

Dr. Theodore Friedmann

Prof. Alain Fischer

United States

FranceProfessor of Pediatrics
University of California San Diego,
School of Medicine

Professor at Collège de France
Director of Institut Imagine,
Hôpital Necker-Enfants malades

The Japan Prize Foundation has decided the recipients of the 2015 (31st) Japan Prize. In the field of “Resources, Energy
and Social Infrastructure,” Dr. Yutaka Takahasi of Japan was recognized for his “contribution to development of innovative
concept on river basin management and reduction of water-related disasters.” His comprehensive concept of river basin
management, which involves not only banks and dams but also rainwater storage and infiltration technology, has led tosignificant reduction of water-related disasters and improvement in river environment in Japan and overseas, especiallycountries in the Asian monsoon region.
In the field of “Medical Science and Medicinal Science,” Dr. Theodore Friedmann of the United States and Prof. Alain
Fischer of France were selected for the “proposal of the concept of gene therapy and its clinical applications.” During the1970s, Dr. Friedmann became the first to propose the concept of gene therapy, and Prof. Fischer was the world’ s first to
clinically prove the dramatic effectiveness of gene therapy.
To honor the three distinguished scientists, an award-presentation ceremony will be held in Tokyo on April 23, 2015.

The Japan Prize is awarded to scientists and researchers, regardless ofnationality, who have made significant contributions to the progress ofscience and technology as well as society to serve the cause of peace andprosperity of mankind.

While the prize encompasses all categories of science and technology, twofields of study are designated for the prize each year in consideration ofdevelopments in science and technology. Each Japan Prize laureate receives
a certificate of merit and a prize medal. A cash prize of 50 million yen is also
awarded to each prize field.