Members of the 2008 (24th) Japan Prize Selection Committee
Chairman

Name

Post

Nobuaki Kumagai

President of University of Hyogo, Professor Emeritus of Osaka University

FieldⅠ Information Communication Theory and Technology
Panel Chairman

Yasuharu Suematsu

Adviser, National Institute of Informatics

Acting Chairman

Yasuhiko Yasuda

Professor Emeritus, Waseda University

Members

Setsuo Arikawa

Executive Vice President, Kyushu University〃

Kohroh Kobayashi

Professor, Precision and Intelligence Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology

Tetsuya Miki

Professor, Department of Information and Communication Engineering, University of Electro-Communications

Shojiro Nishio

Dean and Professor, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Osaka University

Kazuo Tsubouchi

Professor, Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University

Hiroshi Yasuda

Professor, School of Science Technology for Future Life, Tokyo Denki University

〃
〃
〃
〃

Japanese Students Attend
the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony
In 1987, the Science and Technology Foundation of Japan (JSTF) instituted a program whichbegan sending two Japanese students to the annual Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar (SIYSS). The event is held during Nobel Prize Week as a means of promoting the international
exchange of young scientists, and is conducted under the auspices of the Swedish Federation ofYoung Scientists and with the support of the Nobel Foundation.
This year, it sent Ms. Yuki Nakata of Sophia University and Mr. Hiroki Nakao of The University ofTokyo to the 32st SIYSS. Their report follows;

THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FOUNDATION OF JAPAN (JSTF)

Akasaka Twin Tower East, 13th Floor, 17-22
Akasaka 2-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-0052, JAPAN
Tel. +81-3-5545-0551 Fax. +81-3-5545-0554
E-mail info@japanprize.jp
URL http://www.japanprize.jp

Three American Scientists
Awarded 2008 (24th) Japan Prize

FieldⅡ Medical Genomics and Genetics
Panel Chairman

Kenich Matsubara

President, DNA Chip Research Inc., Professor Emeritus of Osaka University

Acting Chairman

Toshihisa Takagi

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

Members

Hiroo Imura

Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University, Chairman, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation〃

Yuji Kohara

Executive Director, Research Organization of Information and Systems〃

Michio Oishi

Chairman, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Emeritus Professor of the University of Tokyo〃

Kumao Toyoshima

Science Advisor, RIKEN, Member of the Japan Academy〃

Shoji Tsuji

Professor, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo〃

Mitsuaki Yoshida

Visiting Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Emeritus Professor of the University of Tokyo(Title when serving on the committee)

Categories Selected for the 2009 (25th) Japan Prize
The Science and Technology Foundation of Japan announced the two categories for the 2009 (25th) Japan Prize, and determined theirdefinition as follows.
Letters have been sent to scholars and rescarchers throughout the world, requesting nominations in the fields in which the award is being
made. The selection committee will then recommend candidates to the Board of Directors of the Foundation, and make their decisions.

Field I: Environment / Infrastructure

Field II: Health Care / Therapeutic Technology"The transformation towards a sustainable society
in harmony with nature""Technological integration of medical scienceand engineering"

The limits of the global environment have brought us to a point in time
when a reassessment is needed of modern technological society rooted ina social foundation of large-scale consumption of energy and resources.
As we turn towards a sustainable society in harmony with nature thatsatisfies basic human needs, confers safety and security, fosters humanitarian qualities and conserves energy while emitting low levels of carbon
dioxide, we will need to be able to synthesize knowledge from various
fields, including scientific knowledge about the natural world and humanactivity and highly-evolved information science, together with insights
about human societies, in order to achieve social change and re-create a
new foundation for society. People are needed who can make a significant contribution to any of the requisite tasks, such as awakening people
to the need for change, expressing a vision of the new technologicalsociety, creating a social foundation, developing key technologies needed
to transform society, or promoting mutual awareness and integration of
information and public opinion.

Recent remarkable advances in clinical medicine havebeen achieved by integration of medicine, engineering,and related fields, enabling progress in the prevention,
diagnosis and treatment of disease. Progress has been
made in various areas, including imaging techniques,drug discovery, drug delivery systems, telemedicine,regenerative medicine, and simplified diagnostic
techniques.
The prize for 2009 will be awarded for innovative
contributions to health and health care through thedevelopment and application of technological integration of medical science and engineering.

We attended the 32nd Stockholm International Science
Seminar (SIYSS) during Nobel week, which was from
December 4-10, 2007. SIYSS is held by the Swedish Federation of Young Scientists in connection with the Nobel Foundation. This year we were able to meet 23 other participantsfrom 15 different countries. They were very talented young
scientists, who had won competitions in their own countries.
All the participants received a kind and warm reception from11 coordinators from Sweden.
All the participants of the 32nd SIYSSIn the program, we had a chance to present our own
research in front of a lot of listeners. There were other participants, students in Sweden, and professors whoare interested in our research. We have to admit that giving a presentation in English is tough, but it was agreat experience. We got some feedback from the audience. They told us that they were interested in our
projects and asked us to talk to them in detail. It was a great honour.
Besides, we attended Nobel festivities such as the Press Conference, the Nobel lecture, The Nobel
Foundation’s reception, and the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony. We also visited the Nobel museum, and several
universities and institutions which are world-renowned. It is great to visit such prestigious places. What ismore, we were able to talk with several prize winners directly. They were humble and pleasant people, whowere modest about their big prizes. In fact, they were so kindand sociable as to talk with us. We were deeply impressed bythem.

Members of Fields Selection Committee
Name

Post

Research presentation

FieldⅠ Environment/Infrastructure
ChairmanShuzo Nishioka

Advisor, National Institute for Environmental Studies

Members

Tsuneo Katayama

Professor, School of Science and Technology for Future Life, Tokyo Denki University〃

Ryuji Matsuhashi

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

Shigeru Morichi

Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies〃

Kotaro Nawa

Research Fellow, Institute of Information Security

FieldⅡ Health Care/Therapeutic Technology
Chairman

Makoto Asashima

Managing Director, Executive Vice President, The University of Tokyo

Members

Mitiko Go

President, Ochanomizu University〃

Setsuo Hirohashi

President, The National Cancer Center〃

Masaki Kitajima

Vice President and Professor, International University of Health and Welfare
Director, International University of Health and Welfare Mita Hospital〃

Shigetada Nakanishi

Director, Osaka Bioscience Institute(Title when serving on the committee)

The ladies dressed in National costumes

The climax of the seminar was attending the Nobel Award
Ceremony. It was an unforgettable experience for us to participate in the formal (award ceremony and Nobel banquet) andinformal (night cap) parts of this celebration. We were proud tobe present at this historic moment. Not only did we attend the
ceremony but we learned about different cultures. During theevent, we wore Japanese traditional attire, that is, kimono andhakama. Our fellows showed a great interest in our costumes
and asked us about them. We in turn asked them about theirs. It
was a great pleasure to share our traditions.
SIYSS has been a precious experience. We studied sociallyand culturally, as well as academically. We are grateful to The
Science and Technology Foundation of Japan (JSTF) for offering us this opportunity, which will have a great influence on
our careers and development.

No. 39January 2008

The Science and Technology Foundation of Japan (Chairman: Hiroyuki Yoshikawa) announced
that three American scientists have been named as laureates of the 2008 (24th) Japan Prize.
Dr. Vinton Gray Cerf, 64, and Dr. Robert Elliot Kahn, 69, will receive the Japan Prize in thisyear's category of “Information Communication Theory and Technology”. They contributed to thecreation of network architecture and communication protocol for the Internet.
Dr. Victor A. McKusick, 86, will receive the Japan Prize in the category of “Medical Genomics
and Genetics”. He is credited with the establishment of Medical Genetics and contributed to its
development.

Information Communication Theory
and Technology

Dr. Vinton Gray Cerf

Dr. Robert Elliot Kahn

Medical Genomics
and Genetics

Dr. Victor A. McKusick

Japan Prize
The Japan Prize is awarded to world-class scientists and technologists who were credited with original and outstanding achievements
and contributed to the advancement of science and technology,
thereby furthering the cause of peace and the prosperity of mankind.
In principle, original achievements in science and technology are
given priority during the selection process.
No distinction is made as to nationality, occupation, race, or sex.
Only living persons may be named.

Fields of study for the prize encompass all categories of science andtechnology, with two categories designated for the prize each year inconsideration of developments in science and technology.
Each Japan Prize laureate receives a certificate of merit and acommemorative medal. A cash award of 50 million yen is alsopresented for each prize category. The award is intended for a single
person, in principle, but small groups of researchers are also eligible.

Information Communication Theory and Technology

Achievement

Creation of network architecture and communication protocol for the Internet

Dr. Vinton Gray Cerf (U.S.A.)

Dr. Robert Elliot Kahn (U.S.A.)

Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist, Google Inc.

Chairman, CEO & President of Corporation for
National Research Initiatives (CNRI)OUTLINE:
The appearance of the Internet has pioneered the way forthe establishment of a network society that has completelytransformed the lifestyles of people around the world. Twomen in particular were instrumental in the creation of theconcept for the basic framework and the TCP/IP communi-

The Fathers of the Internet

Today, the Internet enables us to communicate by text, audio
and video transmissions, which until a short period of time ago,
required such specialized types of media as teletype, telephone or
television. That we are able to send and receive such a diverse
array of data over the Internet is thanks to the communication
protocols known as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and IP(Internet Protocol), which provide the basic infrastructure for thesending and receiving of data. The term protocol was originallyassociated with the conduct, conventions and formalities
observed during diplomatic exchanges. However, in the world ofcommunications, this term has come to mean the establishedrules that govern the transmission of data. The two TCP and IP
communication protocols work together to guarantee theaccurate communication of data transmitted between two
Internet-connected devices. The creation of these protocols thatmake the Internet possible is the work of two dedicated researchers, Dr. Vinton Gray Cerf and Dr. Robert Elliot Kahn.

What are TCP and IP?

Every computer that is connected to theInternet is assigned a number which acts as its
Internet Protocol address. All the data sent fromone Internet-connected computer to another isbroken down into packets of a predetermined size.
Each of these packets of data is given a number
when transmitted from the sender to the recipient.
The Internet connects the computer networks
of companies, research institutes, etc. on a global
scale and enables the establishment of a networkof networks.. A device known as a router, whichconnects the networks, identiﬁes the address of
the intended recipient and sends the packet ofdata to another router until the packet ﬁnallyreaches the intended recipient. The recipientcomputer restores the original data based on theassigned number.
This mechanism can be likened to freight beingtransported by containers. The containers act likepackets of data, while the router acts as a stoppingoﬀ point, like a port or railway station. The
containers are transported by ship, rail or road,but at the stopping oﬀ point, the contents of thecontainers are not checked and the containers arecarried directly to the intended recipient. This setof rules (the rules that instruct the router to send
packets to the designated IP address) is thecation protocol which has made the Internet possible.
These men are Dr. Vinton Gray Cerf and Dr. Robert Elliot
Kahn. Known as the “Fathers of the Internet,” Dr. Cerf and
Dr. Kahn continue to lead advances in information communication.
Internet Protocol. When the containers arrive at their intended
destinations, the recipient companies check the containers, and if
any of the contents are damaged or missing, they contact theoriginal sender to request that the container be re-sent. This setof rules (the rules that control the breakdown and restoration ofdata) is the Transmission Control Protocol. In short, the TCP
performs a role that increases the reliability of data transmission.
In the same way as any contents may be freely placed into
containers of a predetermined size, many forms of data (i.e. text,
audio, or video) can be divided up into separate packets of apredetermined size and transmitted over the Internet.

tions. In addition, compared to telephone connections, wirelesstransmissions were prone to problems and deemed unreliable.
To compound the problem, nobody had ever attempted toconnect two diﬀerent types of networks, and therefore there wasno precedent or model to follow. Dr. Kahn decided to contact Dr.
Cerf, who at the time was at Stanford University, and the pair set
out to research the problem together. With a view to connecting
diﬀerent types of networks, they developed a communications
protocol that could overcome the perceived problems, designatedtheir protocol TCP and in 1974 presented the protocol in a joint
paper. In the course of time, this TCP underwent further improvements and emerged as the TCP/IP of today.

The Roles of the Laureates in
the Widespread Dissemination of TCP/IP

After ﬁnally completing the TCP/IP protocols, Dr. Cerf and
Dr. Kahn set about discovering how to put the protocols to morewidespread use. Dr. Cerf went to work for a private-sector
communications company, while Dr. Kahn founded the Corporation for National Research Initiatives (CNRI), a non-proﬁt organization, to research and develop a national communications
infrastructure. With their joint eﬀorts to promote the protocols

Medical Genomics and Genetics

Achievement

Establishment of medical genetics and contributions to its development

Dr. Victor A. McKusick (U.S.A.)The Origins of TCP and IP

It all started back in 1972. A government-related agency had
developed a computer network. Dr. Kahn, who worked at theagency, wondered if it could be possible to link a network
connected by telephone line with a wireless communications
network. However, the transmission speed, and the content andsize of transmitted data diﬀer with telephone and wireless connec-

from their respective positions in both the public and private
sectors, TCP/IP became the standard protocols in the UnitedStates. At that time, the US led the world in the ﬁeld of computersciences, and attracted a large pool of talented researchers fromaround the globe. These researchers played a prominent role inintroducing TCP/IP to their own countries, and the two protocols
soon became the global standard.
At around the same time as TCP/IP was completed, several
other communication protocols with similar objectives werebeing developed. However, owing to their stunning simplicity andconsequent superiority, TCP/IP was widely adopted as the global
standard. Even in the 1970s when the performance of computers
was still in its relative infancy, the protocol was of valuable use.
Without the foresightedness and creative genius of these two
dedicated researchers, the speed of the dissemination and global
scale of the Internet as we now know it may not have beenpossible. Today, the world has come to rely almost totally on theInternet for the communication of information. After laying thebasic foundations for the miracle of the Internet, Dr. Cerｆ, as theVice-president of Google and, Dr. Kahn, as the Chairman, CEO
and President of CNRI, continue to lead the world of information
communications.

University Professor of Medical Genetics, the McKusick- Nathans Institute of
Genetic Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University

OUTLINE:
With the completion of the human genome project, we havecome to understand almost all of the genetic information
contained in DNA, which is encoded in a series of letters.
However, we are still some way from fully identifying thoseparts which are related to the treatment of diseases. Dr. Victor
A. McKusick, recipient of the current fiscal year’s Japan Prize
In the Human Genome Project, which commenced in 1990 and
was completed in 2003, the DNA sequence of every single
chromosome was determined. Within the determined genomic
information, it was discovered that there are in vivo parts that
perform vital functions. However, there are also parts of which
the function is unclear, and these parts remain merely anundetermined series of letters. From among this seemingly
meaningless series of letters, it is important to identify the parts
with genetic functions, decode the series of letters and thus
clarify the function of the protein. Understanding the relationshipbetween genomic function and genetic diseases is vital toaccurate interpretation of the human genome. Dr. Victor A.
McKusick has spent over half a century investigating which
DNA sequences of which DNA loci cause genetic disorders, andhas been steadily compiling related information.

From cardiovascular diseases togenetic medicine

Dr. McKusick was born in 1921 into a dairy farming family in a
town with a population of approximately 500 residents in thenortheastern US state of Maine. In 1943, he was accepted to the Johns
Hopkins University, famous for its medical research, where he studied

in the category of “Medical Genomics and Genetic”, has spentover half a century compiling related knowledge, and advocating the importance of the formulation of a genomic map for
genetic disorders. Today, researchers and clinicians aroundthe world are sharing the fruits of Dr. McKusick’s labors whichhave become indispensable to the world of genetic medicine.
medicine. Specializing in heart-related diseases, Dr. McKusick became
interested in Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes cardiovascular abnormalities. Later he established a ﬁeld of medical study,
known as medical genetics to study the genetic causes, treatments
and prevention of inherited diseases, and feverishly set about agenetic mapping (chromosome mapping) project.

Laying the foundations for genetic medicine

Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder of the connective tissue
which maintains the shape of the body (e.g. gaps between cells,
cartilages, etc.), and is characterized by disproportionately longlimbs and ﬁngers. It also aﬀects the heart and cardiovascular valves
and vessels, as well as the eyes. It had been known for some timethat this was a genetic disease, but as patients were aﬀected in
diﬀerent parts of the body it was not thought to be related to themutation of a single gene. However, through analyses of vast
amounts of data related to Marfan syndrome, Dr. McKusick and his
research team at the Johns Hopkins University identiﬁed Marfan
syndrome as a condition caused by the mutation of a single gene.
In 1956, Dr. McKusick published. Through his clinical experience of patient examination,
he realized the importance of identifying the roles of genes inhuman diseases, and in 1957 he set up the world s ﬁrst Divisionof Medical Genetics, a new branch of clinical medicine at theJohns Hopkins University. Today, this research center has
been designated the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic
Medicine in commemoration of the achievements of Dr. McKusick. It was here that he devoted his energies to researchingvarious genetic diseases besides Marfan syndrome, and where
he became the ﬁrst person to clarify the genetic role in several
diseases including cartilage-hair hypoplasia and McKusickKaufmann syndrome.
In 1968, a research team he was leading identiﬁed a genethat determines the assignment of a blood type, known as theDuﬀy blood group locus, or Duﬀy antigen system, to chromosome 1. This was a landmark discovery that identiﬁed theexact location of the speciﬁc gene in autosomes, excluding thesex chromosomes, and this led to the world s ﬁrst attempt at a
genetic map. A genetic map gives a detailed depiction of whichgenes exist on which chromosomes, and on which exact part ofeach particular chromosome they are located. At the time, themapping project required a massive amount of research on
family lineage and hereditary diseases, and close observationsof chromosomes. It was indeed a project on a grand scale thatnecessitated both a great deal of experience and instinct.

The creation of a comprehensive
database of genetic diseases

In 1969, Dr. McKusick proposed that the utmost eﬀorts beexerted to identifying the genetic sequence of humanchromosomes at the International Conference on Congenital
Disease where he reported on his discovery of the Duﬀy
antigen system.
In 1973, Dr. McKusick s team led a Human Gene Mapping
Workshop which included several other research groups.
The aims of the workshop included information exchanges
and the formulation of a system for consistent genetic
designation. This workshop later developed into the Human
Genome Organization (HUGO).
Dr. McKusick s greatest achievement was his publicationof the reference work
. Firstpublished in 1966, 12 editions of this reference work wereprinted until 1998, and constitute a comprehensive cataloging
of the relations between human genes and genetic disorders.
In 1987, an online version of(OMIM) was opened to the public. This online version obtains
the latest research data before it is published in scientiﬁcjournals, and allows researchers and clinicians around theworld to access the very latest available information. It iseven said that there is no genetic clinician in the world today
who has not referred toatsome point. Undaunted by the perseverance and endurance
necessary for the collecting of such a huge amount of data,
Dr. McKusick set about the creation of a framework for thesystematic collection of data.

Leading the Human Genome Project

Dr. McKusick also worked assiduously toward the foundation of the Human Genome Organization (HUGO), a development of the aforementioned Human Genome Mapping Workshop, in order to bring together researchers on the Human
Genome Project to exchange information and to coordinate
operations. Dr. McKusick himself served as the ﬁrst
president of the organization. From the production of thevery ﬁrst genetic mapping prototypes through to today s
genomic map that is able to determine the entire humangenome sequence, Dr. McKusick has been an instrumental
ﬁgure, constantly playing a leading role in international
genetic research.
Dr. McKusick is a man of remarkable foresight. As long asover half a century ago, he strongly advocated giving fullrecognition to the critical roles played by genes, and this has
resulted in the compilation of a vast amount of genetic data
that, given the technological innovations in recent years,
continues to increase in importance. Dr. McKusick has been
instrumental in the establishment of a new ﬁeld of medical
study which is able to utilize genetic data and ascertain therole of genetics in a variety of disorders, and even enables
personalized medicine for patients suﬀering from cancer ordiabetes through the ability to determine the slight genetic
diﬀerences of each individual.
Dr. McKusick has published some 760 academic papers,
and his extensive output is further testament to his boundless human compassion and dedication to eradicating genetic
disorders in children. Even today, he continues to stand at theforefront of the latest developments in clinical genetics, andthe immense respect with which he is accorded around theworld makes Dr. McKusick an extremely worthy recipient of
the Japan Prize.

Information Communication Theory and Technology

Achievement

Creation of network architecture and communication protocol for the Internet

Dr. Vinton Gray Cerf (U.S.A.)

Dr. Robert Elliot Kahn (U.S.A.)

Vice President and Chief Evangelist, Google Inc.

Chairman, CEO & President of Corporation for
National Research Initiatives (CNRI)OUTLINE:
The appearance of the Internet has pioneered the way forthe establishment of a network society that has completelytransformed the lifestyles of people around the world. Twomen in particular were instrumental in the creation of theconcept for the basic framework and the TCP/IP communi-

The Fathers of the Internet

Today, the Internet enables us to communicate by text, audio
and video transmissions, which until a short period of time ago,
required such specialized types of media as teletype, telephone or
television. That we are able to send and receive such a diverse
array of data over the Internet is thanks to the communication
protocols known as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and IP(Internet Protocol), which provide the basic infrastructure for thesending and receiving of data. The term protocol was originallyassociated with the conduct, conventions and formalities
observed during diplomatic exchanges. However, in the world ofcommunications, this term has come to mean the establishedrules that govern the transmission of data. The two TCP and IP
communication protocols work together to guarantee theaccurate communication of data transmitted between two
Internet-connected devices. The creation of these protocols thatmake the Internet possible is the work of two dedicated researchers, Dr. Vinton Gray Cerf and Dr. Robert Elliot Kahn.

What are TCP and IP?

Every computer that is connected to theInternet is assigned a number which acts as its
Internet Protocol address. All the data sent fromone Internet-connected computer to another isbroken down into packets of a predetermined size.
Each of these packets of data is given a number
when transmitted from the sender to the recipient.
The Internet connects the computer networks
of companies, research institutes, etc. on a global
scale and enables the establishment of a networkof networks.. A device known as a router, whichconnects the networks, identiﬁes the address of
the intended recipient and sends the packet ofdata to another router until the packet ﬁnallyreaches the intended recipient. The recipientcomputer restores the original data based on theassigned number.
This mechanism can be likened to freight beingtransported by containers. The containers act likepackets of data, while the router acts as a stoppingoﬀ point, like a port or railway station. The
containers are transported by ship, rail or road,but at the stopping oﬀ point, the contents of thecontainers are not checked and the containers arecarried directly to the intended recipient. This setof rules (the rules that instruct the router to send
packets to the designated IP address) is thecation protocol which has made the Internet possible.
These men are Dr. Vinton Gray Cerf and Dr. Robert Elliot
Kahn. Known as the “Fathers of the Internet,” Dr. Cerf and
Dr. Kahn continue to lead advances in information communication.
Internet Protocol. When the containers arrive at their intended
destinations, the recipient companies check the containers, and if
any of the contents are damaged or missing, they contact theoriginal sender to request that the container be re-sent. This setof rules (the rules that control the breakdown and restoration ofdata) is the Transmission Control Protocol. In short, the TCP
performs a role that increases the reliability of data transmission.
In the same way as any contents may be freely placed into
containers of a predetermined size, many forms of data (i.e. text,
audio, or video) can be divided up into separate packets of apredetermined size and transmitted over the Internet.

The Origins of TCP and IP

It all started back in 1972. A government-related agency had
developed a computer network. Dr. Kahn, who worked at theagency, wondered if it could be possible to link a network
connected by telephone line with a wireless communications
network. However, the transmission speed, and the content andsize of transmitted data diﬀer with telephone and wireless connec-

tions. In addition, compared to telephone connections, wirelesstransmissions were prone to problems and deemed unreliable.
To compound the problem, nobody had ever attempted toconnect two diﬀerent types of networks, and therefore there wasno precedent or model to follow. Dr. Kahn decided to contact Dr.
Cerf, who at the time was at Stanford University, and the pair set
out to research the problem together. With a view to connecting
diﬀerent types of networks, they developed a communications
protocol that could overcome the perceived problems, designatedtheir protocol TCP and in 1974 presented the protocol in a joint
paper. In the course of time, this TCP underwent further improvements and emerged as the TCP/IP of today.

The Roles of the Laureates in
the Widespread Dissemination of TCP/IP

After ﬁnally completing the TCP/IP protocols, Dr. Cerf and
Dr. Kahn set about discovering how to put the protocols to morewidespread use. Dr. Cerf went to work for a private-sector
communications company, while Dr. Kahn founded the Corporation for National Research Initiatives (CNRI), a non-proﬁt organization, to research and develop a national communications
infrastructure. With their joint eﬀorts to promote the protocols

from their respective positions in both the public and private
sectors, TCP/IP became the standard protocols in the UnitedStates. At that time, the US led the world in the ﬁeld of computersciences, and attracted a large pool of talented researchers fromaround the globe. These researchers played a prominent role inintroducing TCP/IP to their own countries, and the two protocols
soon became the global standard.
At around the same time as TCP/IP was completed, several
other communication protocols with similar objectives werebeing developed. However, owing to their stunning simplicity andconsequent superiority, TCP/IP was widely adopted as the global
standard. Even in the 1970s when the performance of computers
was still in its relative infancy, the protocol was of valuable use.
Without the foresightedness and creative genius of these two
dedicated researchers, the speed of the dissemination and global
scale of the Internet as we now know it may not have beenpossible. Today, the world has come to rely almost totally on theInternet for the communication of information. After laying thebasic foundations for the miracle of the Internet, Dr. Cerｆ, as theVice-president of Google and, Dr. Kahn, as the Chairman, CEO
and President of CNRI, continue to lead the world of information
communications.

Medical Genomics and Genetics

Achievement

Establishment of medical genetics and contributions to its development

Dr. Victor A. McKusick (U.S.A.)
University Professor of Medical Genetics, the McKusick- Nathans Institute of
Genetic Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University

OUTLINE:
With the completion of the human genome project, we havecome to understand almost all of the genetic information
contained in DNA, which is encoded in a series of letters.
However, we are still some way from fully identifying thoseparts which are related to the treatment of diseases. Dr. Victor
A. McKusick, recipient of the current fiscal year’s Japan Prize
In the Human Genome Project, which commenced in 1990 and
was completed in 2003, the DNA sequence of every single
chromosome was determined. Within the determined genomic
information, it was discovered that there are in vivo parts that
perform vital functions. However, there are also parts of which
the function is unclear, and these parts remain merely anundetermined series of letters. From among this seemingly
meaningless series of letters, it is important to identify the parts
with genetic functions, decode the series of letters and thus
clarify the function of the protein. Understanding the relationshipbetween genomic function and genetic diseases is vital toaccurate interpretation of the human genome. Dr. Victor A.
McKusick has spent over half a century investigating which
DNA sequences of which DNA loci cause genetic disorders, andhas been steadily compiling related information.

From cardiovascular diseases togenetic medicine

Dr. McKusick was born in 1921 into a dairy farming family in a
town with a population of approximately 500 residents in thenortheastern US state of Maine. In 1943, he was accepted to the Johns
Hopkins University, famous for its medical research, where he studied
medicine. Specializing in heart-related diseases, Dr. McKusick became
interested in Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes cardiovascular abnormalities. Later he established a ﬁeld of medical study,
known as medical genetics to study the genetic causes, treatments
and prevention of inherited diseases, and feverishly set about agenetic mapping (chromosome mapping) project.

Laying the foundations for genetic medicine

Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder of the connective tissue
which maintains the shape of the body (e.g. gaps between cells,
cartilages, etc.), and is characterized by disproportionately longlimbs and ﬁngers. It also aﬀects the heart and cardiovascular valves
and vessels, as well as the eyes. It had been known for some timethat this was a genetic disease, but as patients were aﬀected in
diﬀerent parts of the body it was not thought to be related to themutation of a single gene. However, through analyses of vast
amounts of data related to Marfan syndrome, Dr. McKusick and his
research team at the Johns Hopkins University identiﬁed Marfan
syndrome as a condition caused by the mutation of a single gene.
In 1956, Dr. McKusick published. Through his clinical experience of patient examination,
he realized the importance of identifying the roles of genes inhuman diseases, and in 1957 he set up the world s ﬁrst Division of
Medical Genetics, a new branch of clinical medicine at the Johns
Hopkins University. Today, this research center has beenin the category of “Medical Genomics and Genetic”, has spentover half a century compiling related knowledge, and advocating the importance of the formulation of a genomic map for
genetic disorders. Today, researchers and clinicians aroundthe world are sharing the fruits of Dr. McKusick’s labors whichhave become indispensable to the world of genetic medicine.
designated the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine incommemoration of the achievements of Dr. McKusick. It was herethat he devoted his energies to researching various genetic diseases
besides Marfan syndrome, and where he became the ﬁrst person toclarify the genetic role in several diseases including cartilage-hairhypoplasia and McKusick-Kaufmann syndrome.
In 1968, a research team he was leading identiﬁed a gene that
determines the assignment of a blood type, known as the Duﬀy
blood group locus, or Duﬀy antigen system, to chromosome 1. This
was a landmark discovery that identiﬁed the exact location of thespeciﬁc gene in autosomes, excluding the sex chromosomes, andthis led to the world s ﬁrst attempt at a genetic map. A genetic map
gives a detailed depiction of which genes exist on which chromosomes, and on which exact part of each particular chromosome
they are located. At the time, the mapping project required amassive amount of research on family lineage and hereditarydiseases, and close observations of chromosomes. It was indeed aproject on a grand scale that necessitated both a great deal ofexperience and instinct.

The creation of a comprehensive
database of genetic diseases

In 1969, Dr. McKusick proposed that the utmost eﬀorts beexerted to identifying the genetic sequence of human chromosomes at the International Conference on Congenital Disease
where he reported on his discovery of the Duﬀy antigen system.
In 1973, Dr. McKusick s team led a Human Gene Mapping
Workshop which included several other research groups. The
aims of the workshop included information exchanges and theformulation of a system for consistent genetic designation. This
workshop later developed into the Human Genome Organization(HUGO).
Dr. McKusick s greatest achievement was his publicationof the reference work
. Firstpublished in 1966, 12 editions of this reference work were printed
until 1998, and constitute a comprehensive cataloging of therelations between human genes and genetic disorders.
In 1987, an online version of(OMIM) was opened to the public. This online version obtains thelatest research data before it is published in scientiﬁc journals,
and allows researchers and clinicians around the world to accessthe very latest available information. It is even said that there isno genetic clinician in the world today who has not referred toat some point. Undaunted by theperseverance and endurance necessary for the collecting of sucha huge amount of data, Dr. McKusick set about the creation of aframework for the systematic collection of data.

Leading the Human Genome Project

Dr. McKusick also worked assiduously toward the foundation of the Human Genome Organization (HUGO), a development of the aforementioned Human Genome Mapping Workshop, in order to bring together researchers on the Human
Genome Project to exchange information and to coordinate
operations. Dr. McKusick himself served as the ﬁrst
president of the organization. From the production of thevery ﬁrst genetic mapping prototypes through to today s
genomic map that is able to determine the entire humangenome sequence, Dr. McKusick has been an instrumental
ﬁgure, constantly playing a leading role in international
genetic research.
Dr. McKusick is a man of remarkable foresight. As long asover half a century ago, he strongly advocated giving fullrecognition to the critical roles played by genes, and this has
resulted in the compilation of a vast amount of genetic data
that, given the technological innovations in recent years,
continues to increase in importance. Dr. McKusick has been
instrumental in the establishment of a new ﬁeld of medical
study which is able to utilize genetic data and ascertain therole of genetics in a variety of disorders, and even enables
personalized medicine for patients suﬀering from cancer ordiabetes through the ability to determine the slight genetic
diﬀerences of each individual.
Dr. McKusick has published some 760 academic papers,
and his extensive output is further testament to his boundless human compassion and dedication to eradicating genetic
disorders in children. Even today, he continues to stand at theforefront of the latest developments in clinical genetics, andthe immense respect with which he is accorded around theworld makes Dr. McKusick an extremely worthy recipient of
the Japan Prize.

Medical Genomics and Genetics

Achievement

Establishment of medical genetics and contributed to its development

Dr. Victor A. McKusick (U.S.A.)
University Professor of Medical Genetics, the McKusick- Nathans Institute of
Genetic Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University

OUTLINE:
With the completion of the human genome project, we havecome to understand almost all of the genetic information
contained in DNA, which is encoded in a series of letters.
However, we are still some way from fully identifying thoseparts which are related to the treatment of diseases. Dr. Victor
A. McKusick, recipient of the current fiscal year’s Japan Prize
In the Human Genome Project, which commenced in 1990 and
was completed in 2003, the DNA sequence of every single
chromosome was determined. Within the determined genomic
information, it was discovered that there are in vivo parts that
perform vital functions. However, there are also parts of which
the function is unclear, and these parts remain merely anundetermined series of letters. From among this seemingly
meaningless series of letters, it is important to identify the parts
with genetic functions, decode the series of letters and thus
clarify the function of the protein. Understanding the relationshipbetween genomic function and genetic diseases is vital toaccurate interpretation of the human genome. Dr. Victor A.
McKusick has spent over half a century investigating which
DNA sequences of which DNA loci cause genetic disorders, andhas been steadily compiling related information.

From cardiovascular diseases togenetic medicine

Dr. McKusick was born in 1921 into a dairy farming family in a
town with a population of approximately 500 residents in thenortheastern US state of Maine. In 1943, he was accepted to the Johns
Hopkins University, famous for its medical research, where he studied
medicine. Specializing in heart-related diseases, Dr. McKusick became
interested in Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes cardiovascular abnormalities. Later he established a ﬁeld of medical study,
known as medical genetics to study the genetic causes, treatments
and prevention of inherited diseases, and feverishly set about agenetic mapping (chromosome mapping) project.

Laying the foundations for genetic medicine

Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder of the connective tissue
which maintains the shape of the body (e.g. gaps between cells,
cartilages, etc.), and is characterized by disproportionately longlimbs and ﬁngers. It also aﬀects the heart and cardiovascular valves
and vessels, as well as the eyes. It had been known for some timethat this was a genetic disease, but as patients were aﬀected in
diﬀerent parts of the body it was not thought to be related to themutation of a single gene. However, through analyses of vast
amounts of data related to Marfan syndrome, Dr. McKusick and his
research team at the Johns Hopkins University identiﬁed Marfan
syndrome as a condition caused by the mutation of a single gene.
In 1956, Dr. McKusick published. Through his clinical experience of patient examination,
he realized the importance of identifying the roles of genes inhuman diseases, and in 1957 he set up the world s ﬁrst Division of
Medical Genetics, a new branch of clinical medicine at the Johns
Hopkins University. Today, this research center has beenin the category of “Medical Genomics and Genetic”, has spentover half a century compiling related knowledge, and advocating the importance of the formulation of a genomic map for
genetic disorders. Today, researchers and clinicians aroundthe world are sharing the fruits of Dr. McKusick’s labors whichhave become indispensable to the world of genetic medicine.
designated the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine incommemoration of the achievements of Dr. McKusick. It was herethat he devoted his energies to researching various genetic diseases
besides Marfan syndrome, and where he became the ﬁrst person toclarify the genetic role in several diseases including cartilage-hairhypoplasia and McKusick-Kaufmann syndrome.
In 1968, a research team he was leading identiﬁed a gene that
determines the assignment of a blood type, known as the Duﬀy
blood group locus, or Duﬀy antigen system, to chromosome 1. This
was a landmark discovery that identiﬁed the exact location of thespeciﬁc gene in autosomes, excluding the sex chromosomes, andthis led to the world s ﬁrst attempt at a genetic map. A genetic map
gives a detailed depiction of which genes exist on which chromosomes, and on which exact part of each particular chromosome
they are located. At the time, the mapping project required amassive amount of research on family lineage and hereditarydiseases, and close observations of chromosomes. It was indeed aproject on a grand scale that necessitated both a great deal ofexperience and instinct.

The creation of a comprehensive
database of genetic diseases

In 1969, Dr. McKusick proposed that the utmost eﬀorts beexerted to identifying the genetic sequence of human chromosomes at the International Conference on Congenital Disease
where he reported on his discovery of the Duﬀy antigen system.
In 1973, Dr. McKusick s team led a Human Gene Mapping
Workshop which included several other research groups. The
aims of the workshop included information exchanges and theformulation of a system for consistent genetic designation. This
workshop later developed into the Human Genome Organization(HUGO).
Dr. McKusick s greatest achievement was his publicationof the reference work
. Firstpublished in 1966, 12 editions of this reference work were printed
until 1998, and constitute a comprehensive cataloging of therelations between human genes and genetic disorders.
In 1987, an online version of(OMIM) was opened to the public. This online version obtains thelatest research data before it is published in scientiﬁc journals,
and allows researchers and clinicians around the world to accessthe very latest available information. It is even said that there isno genetic clinician in the world today who has not referred toat some point. Undaunted by theperseverance and endurance necessary for the collecting of sucha huge amount of data, Dr. McKusick set about the creation of aframework for the systematic collection of data.

Leading the Human Genome Project

Dr. McKusick also worked assiduously toward the foundation of the Human Genome Organization (HUGO), a development of the aforementioned Human Genome Mapping Workshop, in order to bring together researchers on the Human
Genome Project to exchange information and to coordinate
operations. Dr. McKusick himself served as the ﬁrst
president of the organization. From the production of thevery ﬁrst genetic mapping prototypes through to today s
genomic map that is able to determine the entire humangenome sequence, Dr. McKusick has been an instrumental
ﬁgure, constantly playing a leading role in international
genetic research.
Dr. McKusick is a man of remarkable foresight. As long asover half a century ago, he strongly advocated giving fullrecognition to the critical roles played by genes, and this has
resulted in the compilation of a vast amount of genetic data
that, given the technological innovations in recent years,
continues to increase in importance. Dr. McKusick has been
instrumental in the establishment of a new ﬁeld of medical
study which is able to utilize genetic data and ascertain therole of genetics in a variety of disorders, and even enables
personalized medicine for patients suﬀering from cancer ordiabetes through the ability to determine the slight genetic
diﬀerences of each individual.
Dr. McKusick has published some 760 academic papers,
and his extensive output is further testament to his boundless human compassion and dedication to eradicating genetic
disorders in children. Even today, he continues to stand at theforefront of the latest developments in clinical genetics, andthe immense respect with which he is accorded around theworld makes Dr. McKusick an extremely worthy recipient of
the Japan Prize.

Members of the 2008 (24th) Japan Prize Selection Committee
Chairman

Name

Post

Nobuaki Kumagai

President of University of Hyogo, Professor Emeritus of Osaka University

FieldⅠ Information Communication Theory and Technology
Panel Chairman

Yasuharu Suematsu

Adviser, National Institute of Informatics

Acting Chairman

Yasuhiko Yasuda

Professor Emeritus, Waseda University

Members

Setsuo Arikawa

Executive Vice President, Kyushu University〃

Kohroh Kobayashi

Professor, Precision and Intelligence Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology

Tetsuya Miki

Professor, Department of Information and Communication Engineering, University of Electro-Communications

Shojiro Nishio

Dean and Professor, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Osaka University

Kazuo Tsubouchi

Professor, Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University

Hiroshi Yasuda

Professor, School of Science Technology for Future Life, Tokyo Denki University

〃
〃
〃
〃

Japanese Students Attend
the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony
In 1987, the Science and Technology Foundation of Japan (JSTF) instituted a program whichbegan sending two Japanese students to the annual Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar (SIYSS). The event is held during Nobel Prize Week as a means of promoting the international
exchange of young scientists, and is conducted under the auspices of the Swedish Federation ofYoung Scientists and with the support of the Nobel Foundation.
This year, it sent Ms. Yuki Nakata of Sophia University and Mr. Hiroki Nakao of The University ofTokyo to the 32st SIYSS. Their report follows;

THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FOUNDATION OF JAPAN (JSTF)

Akasaka Twin Tower East, 13th Floor, 17-22
Akasaka 2-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-0052, JAPAN
Tel. +81-3-5545-0551 Fax. +81-3-5545-0554
E-mail info@japanprize.jp
URL http://www.japanprize.jp

Three American Scientists
Awarded 2008 (24th) Japan Prize

FieldⅡ Medical Genomics and Genetics
Panel Chairman

Kenich Matsubara

President, DNA Chip Research Inc., Professor Emeritus of Osaka University

Acting Chairman

Toshihisa Takagi

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

Members

Hiroo Imura

Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University, Chairman, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation〃

Yuji Kohara

Executive Director, Research Organization of Information and Systems〃

Michio Oishi

Chairman, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Emeritus Professor of the University of Tokyo〃

Kumao Toyoshima

Science Advisor, RIKEN, Member of the Japan Academy〃

Shoji Tsuji

Professor, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo〃

Mitsuaki Yoshida

Visiting Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Emeritus Professor of the University of Tokyo(Title when serving on the committee)

Categories Selected for the 2009 (25th) Japan Prize
The Science and Technology Foundation of Japan announced the two categories for the 2009 (25th) Japan Prize, and determined theirdefinition as follows.
Letters have been sent to scholars and rescarchers throughout the world, requesting nominations in the fields in which the award is being
made. The selection committee will then recommend candidates to the Board of Directors of the Foundation, and make their decisions.

Field I: Environment / Infrastructure

Field II: Health Care / Therapeutic Technology"The transformation towards a sustainable society
in harmony with nature""Technological integration of medical scienceand engineering"

The limits of the global environment have brought us to a point in time
when a reassessment is needed of modern technological society rooted ina social foundation of large-scale consumption of energy and resources.
As we turn towards a sustainable society in harmony with nature thatsatisfies basic human needs, confers safety and security, fosters humanitarian qualities and conserves energy while emitting low levels of carbon
dioxide, we will need to be able to synthesize knowledge from various
fields, including scientific knowledge about the natural world and humanactivity and highly-evolved information science, together with insights
about human societies, in order to achieve social change and re-create a
new foundation for society. People are needed who can make a significant contribution to any of the requisite tasks, such as awakening people
to the need for change, expressing a vision of the new technologicalsociety, creating a social foundation, developing key technologies needed
to transform society, or promoting mutual awareness and integration of
information and public opinion.

Recent remarkable advances in clinical medicine havebeen achieved by integration of medicine, engineering,and related fields, enabling progress in the prevention,
diagnosis and treatment of disease. Progress has been
made in various areas, including imaging techniques,drug discovery, drug delivery systems, telemedicine,regenerative medicine, and simplified diagnostic
techniques.
The prize for 2009 will be awarded for innovative
contributions to health and health care through thedevelopment and application of technological integration of medical science and engineering.

We attended the 32nd Stockholm International Science
Seminar (SIYSS) during Nobel week, which was from
December 4-10, 2007. SIYSS is held by the Swedish Federation of Young Scientists in connection with the Nobel Foundation. This year we were able to meet 23 other participantsfrom 15 different countries. They were very talented young
scientists, who had won competitions in their own countries.
All the participants received a kind and warm reception from11 coordinators from Sweden.
All the participants of the 32nd SIYSSIn the program, we had a chance to present our own
research in front of a lot of listeners. There were other participants, students in Sweden, and professors whoare interested in our research. We have to admit that giving a presentation in English is tough, but it was agreat experience. We got some feedback from the audience. They told us that they were interested in our
projects and asked us to talk to them in detail. It was a great honour.
Besides, we attended Nobel festivities such as the Press Conference, the Nobel lecture, The Nobel
Foundation’s reception, and the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony. We also visited the Nobel museum, and several
universities and institutions which are world-renowned. It is great to visit such prestigious places. What ismore, we were able to talk with several prize winners directly. They were humble and pleasant people, whowere modest about their big prizes. In fact, they were so kindand sociable as to talk with us. We were deeply impressed bythem.

Members of Fields Selection Committee
Name

Post

Research presentation

FieldⅠ Environment/Infrastructure
ChairmanShuzo Nishioka

Advisor, National Institute for Environmental Studies

Members

Tsuneo Katayama

Professor, School of Science and Technology for Future Life, Tokyo Denki University〃

Ryuji Matsuhashi

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

Shigeru Morichi

Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies〃

Kotaro Nawa

Research Fellow, Institute of Information Security

FieldⅡ Health Care/Therapeutic Technology
Chairman

Makoto Asashima

Managing Director, Executive Vice President, The University of Tokyo

Members

Mitiko Go

President, Ochanomizu University〃

Setsuo Hirohashi

President, The National Cancer Center〃

Masaki Kitajima

Vice President and Professor, International University of Health and Welfare
Director, International University of Health and Welfare Mita Hospital〃

Shigetada Nakanishi

Director, Osaka Bioscience Institute(Title when serving on the committee)

The ladies dressed in National costumes

The climax of the seminar was attending the Nobel Award
Ceremony. It was an unforgettable experience for us to participate in the formal (award ceremony and Nobel banquet) andinformal (night cap) parts of this celebration. We were proud tobe present at this historic moment. Not only did we attend the
ceremony but we learned about different cultures. During theevent, we wore Japanese traditional attire, that is, kimono andhakama. Our fellows showed a great interest in our costumes
and asked us about them. We in turn asked them about theirs. It
was a great pleasure to share our traditions.
SIYSS has been a precious experience. We studied sociallyand culturally, as well as academically. We are grateful to The
Science and Technology Foundation of Japan (JSTF) for offering us this opportunity, which will have a great influence on
our careers and development.

No. 39January 2008

The Science and Technology Foundation of Japan (Chairman: Hiroyuki Yoshikawa) announced
that three American scientists have been named as laureates of the 2008 (24th) Japan Prize.
Dr. Vinton Gray Cerf, 64, and Dr. Robert Elliot Kahn, 69, will receive the Japan Prize in thisyear's category of “Information Communication Theory and Technology”. They contributed to thecreation of network architecture and communication protocol for the Internet.
Dr. Victor A. McKusick, 86, will receive the Japan Prize in the category of “Medical Genomics
and Genetics”. He is credited with the establishment of Medical Genetics and contributed to its
development.

Information Communication Theory
and Technology

Dr. Vinton Gray Cerf

Dr. Robert Elliot Kahn

Medical Genomics
and Genetics

Dr. Victor A. McKusick

Japan Prize
The Japan Prize is awarded to world-class scientists and technologists who were credited with original and outstanding achievements
and contributed to the advancement of science and technology,
thereby furthering the cause of peace and the prosperity of mankind.
In principle, original achievements in science and technology are
given priority during the selection process.
No distinction is made as to nationality, occupation, race, or sex.
Only living persons may be named.

Fields of study for the prize encompass all categories of science andtechnology, with two categories designated for the prize each year inconsideration of developments in science and technology.
Each Japan Prize laureate receives a certificate of merit and acommemorative medal. A cash award of 50 million yen is alsopresented for each prize category. The award is intended for a single
person, in principle, but small groups of researchers are also eligible.

Members of the 2008 (24th) Japan Prize Selection Committee
Chairman

Name

Post

Nobuaki Kumagai

President of University of Hyogo, Professor Emeritus of Osaka University

FieldⅠ Information Communication Theory and Technology
Panel Chairman

Yasuharu Suematsu

Adviser, National Institute of Informatics

Acting Chairman

Yasuhiko Yasuda

Professor Emeritus, Waseda University

Members

Setsuo Arikawa

Executive Vice President, Kyushu University〃

Kohroh Kobayashi

Professor, Precision and Intelligence Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology

Tetsuya Miki

Professor, Department of Information and Communication Engineering, University of Electro-Communications

Shojiro Nishio

Dean and Professor, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Osaka University

Kazuo Tsubouchi

Professor, Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University

Hiroshi Yasuda

Professor, School of Science Technology for Future Life, Tokyo Denki University

〃
〃
〃
〃

Japanese Students Attend
the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony
In 1987, the Science and Technology Foundation of Japan (JSTF) instituted a program whichbegan sending two Japanese students to the annual Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar (SIYSS). The event is held during Nobel Prize Week as a means of promoting the international
exchange of young scientists, and is conducted under the auspices of the Swedish Federation ofYoung Scientists and with the support of the Nobel Foundation.
This year, it sent Ms. Yuki Nakata of Sophia University and Mr. Hiroki Nakao of The University ofTokyo to the 32st SIYSS. Their report follows;

THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FOUNDATION OF JAPAN (JSTF)

Akasaka Twin Tower East, 13th Floor, 17-22
Akasaka 2-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-0052, JAPAN
Tel. +81-3-5545-0551 Fax. +81-3-5545-0554
E-mail info@japanprize.jp
URL http://www.japanprize.jp

Three American Scientists
Awarded 2008 (24th) Japan Prize

FieldⅡ Medical Genomics and Genetics
Panel Chairman

Kenich Matsubara

President, DNA Chip Research Inc., Professor Emeritus of Osaka University

Acting Chairman

Toshihisa Takagi

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

Members

Hiroo Imura

Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University, Chairman, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation〃

Yuji Kohara

Executive Director, Research Organization of Information and Systems〃

Michio Oishi

Chairman, Kazusa DNA Research Institute, Emeritus Professor of the University of Tokyo〃

Kumao Toyoshima

Science Advisor, RIKEN, Member of the Japan Academy〃

Shoji Tsuji

Professor, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo〃

Mitsuaki Yoshida

Visiting Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Emeritus Professor of the University of Tokyo(Title when serving on the committee)

Categories Selected for the 2009 (25th) Japan Prize
The Science and Technology Foundation of Japan announced the two categories for the 2009 (25th) Japan Prize, and determined theirdefinition as follows.
Letters have been sent to scholars and rescarchers throughout the world, requesting nominations in the fields in which the award is being
made. The selection committee will then recommend candidates to the Board of Directors of the Foundation, and make their decisions.

Field I: Environment / Infrastructure

Field II: Health Care / Therapeutic Technology"The transformation towards a sustainable society
in harmony with nature""Technological integration of medical scienceand engineering"

The limits of the global environment have brought us to a point in time
when a reassessment is needed of modern technological society rooted ina social foundation of large-scale consumption of energy and resources.
As we turn towards a sustainable society in harmony with nature thatsatisfies basic human needs, confers safety and security, fosters humanitarian qualities and conserves energy while emitting low levels of carbon
dioxide, we will need to be able to synthesize knowledge from various
fields, including scientific knowledge about the natural world and humanactivity and highly-evolved information science, together with insights
about human societies, in order to achieve social change and re-create a
new foundation for society. People are needed who can make a significant contribution to any of the requisite tasks, such as awakening people
to the need for change, expressing a vision of the new technologicalsociety, creating a social foundation, developing key technologies needed
to transform society, or promoting mutual awareness and integration of
information and public opinion.

Recent remarkable advances in clinical medicine havebeen achieved by integration of medicine, engineering,and related fields, enabling progress in the prevention,
diagnosis and treatment of disease. Progress has been
made in various areas, including imaging techniques,drug discovery, drug delivery systems, telemedicine,regenerative medicine, and simplified diagnostic
techniques.
The prize for 2009 will be awarded for innovative
contributions to health and health care through thedevelopment and application of technological integration of medical science and engineering.

We attended the 32nd Stockholm International Science
Seminar (SIYSS) during Nobel week, which was from
December 4-10, 2007. SIYSS is held by the Swedish Federation of Young Scientists in connection with the Nobel Foundation. This year we were able to meet 23 other participantsfrom 15 different countries. They were very talented young
scientists, who had won competitions in their own countries.
All the participants received a kind and warm reception from11 coordinators from Sweden.
All the participants of the 32nd SIYSSIn the program, we had a chance to present our own
research in front of a lot of listeners. There were other participants, students in Sweden, and professors whoare interested in our research. We have to admit that giving a presentation in English is tough, but it was agreat experience. We got some feedback from the audience. They told us that they were interested in our
projects and asked us to talk to them in detail. It was a great honour.
Besides, we attended Nobel festivities such as the Press Conference, the Nobel lecture, The Nobel
Foundation’s reception, and the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony. We also visited the Nobel museum, and several
universities and institutions which are world-renowned. It is great to visit such prestigious places. What ismore, we were able to talk with several prize winners directly. They were humble and pleasant people, whowere modest about their big prizes. In fact, they were so kindand sociable as to talk with us. We were deeply impressed bythem.

Members of Fields Selection Committee
Name

Post

Research presentation

FieldⅠ Environment/Infrastructure
ChairmanShuzo Nishioka

Advisor, National Institute for Environmental Studies

Members

Tsuneo Katayama

Professor, School of Science and Technology for Future Life, Tokyo Denki University〃

Ryuji Matsuhashi

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

Shigeru Morichi

Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies〃

Kotaro Nawa

Research Fellow, Institute of Information Security

FieldⅡ Health Care/Therapeutic Technology
Chairman

Makoto Asashima

Managing Director, Executive Vice President, The University of Tokyo

Members

Mitiko Go

President, Ochanomizu University〃

Setsuo Hirohashi

President, The National Cancer Center〃

Masaki Kitajima

Vice President and Professor, International University of Health and Welfare
Director, International University of Health and Welfare Mita Hospital〃

Shigetada Nakanishi

Director, Osaka Bioscience Institute(Title when serving on the committee)

The ladies dressed in National costumes

The climax of the seminar was attending the Nobel Award
Ceremony. It was an unforgettable experience for us to participate in the formal (award ceremony and Nobel banquet) andinformal (night cap) parts of this celebration. We were proud tobe present at this historic moment. Not only did we attend the
ceremony but we learned about different cultures. During theevent, we wore Japanese traditional attire, that is, kimono andhakama. Our fellows showed a great interest in our costumes
and asked us about them. We in turn asked them about theirs. It
was a great pleasure to share our traditions.
SIYSS has been a precious experience. We studied sociallyand culturally, as well as academically. We are grateful to The
Science and Technology Foundation of Japan (JSTF) for offering us this opportunity, which will have a great influence on
our careers and development.

No. 39January 2008

The Science and Technology Foundation of Japan (Chairman: Hiroyuki Yoshikawa) announced
that three American scientists have been named as laureates of the 2008 (24th) Japan Prize.
Dr. Vinton Gray Cerf, 64, and Dr. Robert Elliot Kahn, 69, will receive the Japan Prize in thisyear's category of “Information Communication Theory and Technology”. They contributed to thecreation of network architecture and communication protocol for the Internet.
Dr. Victor A. McKusick, 86, will receive the Japan Prize in the category of “Medical Genomics
and Genetics”. He is credited with the establishment of Medical Genetics and contributed to its
development.

Information Communication Theory
and Technology

Dr. Vinton Gray Cerf

Dr. Robert Elliot Kahn

Medical Genomics
and Genetics

Dr. Victor A. McKusick

Japan Prize
The Japan Prize is awarded to world-class scientists and technologists who were credited with original and outstanding achievements
and contributed to the advancement of science and technology,
thereby furthering the cause of peace and the prosperity of mankind.
In principle, original achievements in science and technology are
given priority during the selection process.
No distinction is made as to nationality, occupation, race, or sex.
Only living persons may be named.

Fields of study for the prize encompass all categories of science andtechnology, with two categories designated for the prize each year inconsideration of developments in science and technology.
Each Japan Prize laureate receives a certificate of merit and acommemorative medal. A cash award of 50 million yen is alsopresented for each prize category. The award is intended for a single
person, in principle, but small groups of researchers are also eligible.