Japan Brief/FPCJ, No. 0862
October 9, 2008

Four Japanese Scientists Receive Nobel Prizes

On October 7 the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced that it will award the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physics to three scientists: Yoichiro Nambu (87), professor emeritus at the University of Chicago; Makoto Kobayashi (64), a professor emeritus at the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization based in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture; and Toshihide Masukawa (68), a professor at Kyoto Sangyo University. On the following day, October 8, the academy further announced that it awarded the 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Osamu Shimomura (80), professor emeritus at Boston University, and two other American researchers. This means that four Japanese (Nambu is a naturalized US citizen, but he was born and raised in Japan) will receive Nobel Prizes this year and that Japanese have been doubly recognized in the fields of both physics and chemistry, as happened also in 2002. Amid continuing gloomy headlines dominated by the slump in share prices and a succession of heinous crimes, the Japanese people cheered the achievements of these four scientists as the first good tidings for quite a while.

Japanese Nobel Laureates Now Total 16
The three scientists who have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics are recognized as having proposed leading theories in research on basic particles that give shape to matter and having laid the foundations of modern particle physics. Nambu has received the award “for the discovery of the mechanism of spontaneous broken symmetry in subatomic physics,” and Kobayashi and Masukawa have received the award “for the discovery of the origin of the broken symmetry which predicts the existence of at least three families [six types] of quarks in nature.” It is the first time for two Japanese to be awarded the Nobel Prize for joint research.

Since Dr. Hideki Yukawa became the first Japanese Nobel laureate in 1949, Japanese particle research has been at the top level in the world, but this year’s simultaneous award to three Japanese scientists opens yet another chapter in that history. Following Yukawa, Shinichiro Tomonaga (1965), Reona Esaki (1973), and Masatoshi Koshiba (2002), the number of Japanese who have received the Nobel Prize in Physics now totals seven.

Shimomura receives the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, together with two American researchers, for his discovery of green fluorescent protein (GFP) in a type of jellyfish called Aequorea victoria, also known as the crystal jelly, which glows in the sea. In present-day medicine, GFP now plays an essential role in investigating the development of nerve cells in the brain and the spread of cancer cells; it is recognized as having revolutionized modern life science research. Shimomura is the fifth Japanese to receive the Nobel Prize in Chemistry following the late Kenichi Fukui (1981), Hideki Shirakawa (2000), Ryoji Noyori (2001), and Koichi Tanaka (2002).

As a result, the number of Japanese Nobel laureates in the natural science fields is now 12, and the total number is 16. The others were former Prime Minister Eisaku Sato (1974, peace), Yasunari Kawabata (1968, literature), Kenzaburo Oe (1994, literature), and Susumu Tonegawa (1987, physiology and medicine).

In its Science and Technology Basic Plan, the Japanese government has set the numerical target of aiming to produce 30 Nobel laureates in the natural science fields in the first half of this century. Commenting on the awards, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology Ryu Shionoya said, “The high level of Japanese research has been shown both domestically and internationally. From now on, as well as the promotion of science, I hope that the Nobel Prize effect can be utilized in a wide range of fields, including education, where a drift away from science has been noted.”

Newspapers Rejoice at Awards
Japan’s main newspapers all carried editorials on the award in the field of physics in their October 8 editions and then reported on the award to Shimomura in the field of chemistry in their October 9 editions.

Regarding the Nobel Prize in Physics award, the Asahi Shimbun described Japan’s tradition of theoretical physics, as symbolized by Yukawa and Tomonaga, as “‘paper and pencil’ science” and said that “Nambu, Kobayashi, and Masukawa may be called their ‘heirs.’” “We rejoice at the fact that this year’s three Nobel physics laureates are from the most basic fields of science,” the Asahi stated, concluding, “A broad perspective and patience are indispensable to scientists. This is the message that rings loud and clear from the success of this year’s three Nobel physics laureates.” The Yomiuri Shimbun similarly commented that Japanese particle research has “made use of intellectual traditions” passed down from the three Nobel laureates Yukawa, Tomonaga, and Koshiba. Expressing concern that young people have been steering clear of physics and other science and engineering subjects in recent years, it urged, “The government and universities should tackle reform of the system of bringing up scientists and engineers.”

The Mainichi Shimbun observed, “Their winning of the prize not only reconfirms the fundamental strength of Japan’s basic science but also fires the scientific imagination in children, as the research has provided clues to the formation of the universe.” On the other hand, the Mainichi also expressed concern that at a time when basic research not bound by immediate results is being emphasized, Japan’s science and technology policy is leaning toward the economic benefits. The Sankei Shimbun commented, “Since this really was ‘paper and pencil’ research that built up a corner of the standard theory that forms the framework of modern particle physics, its creativity is truly awesome.” The Sankei urged, “We hope that young researchers in the natural science fields will be encouraged by these achievements and will tackle ever more original research.” The Nikkei said, “Japan is showing its strength in the field of particle physics. Particle theory is now tied up with cosmology, and its overall strength is being questioned. We hope that inspired by these awards, researchers will further polish their research and achieve results that contribute to the world.”

Regarding the Nobel Prize in Chemistry award, noting that it was youthful creativity that led to the Nobel Prize, the Asahi stated, “What must Japan do to train competent young researchers and provide an environment in which they can fully demonstrate their abilities? How much is the nation willing to spend to fund pioneering research that has limitless potential? These factors will determine the future of Japan’s standing in scientific research.” Similarly observing that “the prizewinners achieved results in their younger days,” The Nikkei added, “It teaches us how important it is to establish an environment in which young researchers brimming with curiosity and passion can engage in research in an unbridled atmosphere. Scientific and technological strength is proportionate to the depth of the researcher population. Instead of just basking in the glory of the Nobel Prize awards, it is important to channel efforts toward the nurturing of young researchers.” The Yomiuri pointed out that both Shimomura and Nambu “are brain-drain researchers who left Japan when they were young, worked alongside Americans, and achieved great results.” It encouraged young Japanese researchers to “learn from these seniors who spread their wings overseas.”

Describing the intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for research of Shimomura, who is said to have caught several hundred thousand jellyfish, as out of the ordinary, the Mainichi noted that “this basic research was connected to genetic engineering and developed into applications.” It went on, “Maybe the award [to Shimomura] was backed up by the fact that recently there has been a tendency for the Nobel Prize to pay attention to the field of application.” The Sankei similarly pointed to Shimomura’s “exceptional perseverance” in continuing to collect jellyfish for more than 15 years and identifying a different mechanism from the luminescent substances that had been known until then. For Japan to continue development from now on, it said, “it is important for the whole nation to have an interest in science. We hope Shimomura’s Nobel Prize, the result of his relentless research, will be an impetus for that.”

(Copyright 2008 Foreign Press Center / Japan)