The 2026 Japan Prize Presentation Ceremony Held -- Honoring the Peace and Prosperity for Humankind through Science and Technology --
On April 14, the Japan Prize Foundation hosted the 2026 Japan Prize presentation ceremony at the New National Theatre in Tokyo, with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress in attendance. The event was attended by leaders from the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, relevant cabinet ministers, representatives from various fields, and Foundation board members, including our visiting executive Mr. Masayuki Matsushita and special advisor Mr. Kazuhiro Tsuga, with approximately 600 participants in total.
The Japan Prize is an internationally prestigious award presented to people from all parts of the world whose original and outstanding achievements in science and technology are recognized as having served the cause of peace and prosperity for humankind. The award was established with the support of our founder, Konosuke Matsushita. Each year, the prize is awarded in the two designated fields selected by the field selection committee in consideration of developments in science and technology and contribution to society.
This year, the designated fields were "Electronics, Information, and Communication" and "Life Sciences." Out of 292 nominations recommended by approximately 16,000 distinguished scientists and engineers from Japan and abroad, three recipients were chosen.
In the field of "Electronics, Information, and Communication," Professor Cynthia Dwork of Harvard University was honored for contribution to leading research for building an ethical digital society, including differential privacy and fairness. In the field of "Life Sciences," Professor Shizuo Akira of the University of Osaka and Professor Zhijian Chen of the University of Texas received the award for discovery of the nucleic acid sensing mechanism by the innate immune system.
On April 15, a commemorative lecture was held in Tokyo, where the recipients discussed their research passions and future outlooks. On April 18, Panasonic Holdings Corporation extended congratulations by inviting the awardees and their partners to Matsushita Shinshinan in Kyoto, where special advisor Mr. Kazuhiro Tsuga and executive officer Ms. Michiko Ogawa introduced the founder's vision and thoughts.
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