No.37 Nobel Prize in Physics Awarded

(Inagi Newsletter November 15, 2014 issue)

This year's Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to Professor Yoshiyuki Akasaki of Meijo University, Professor Hiroshi Amano of Nagoya University, and Professor Shuji Nakamura of the University of California, Santa Barbara, for their development of blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
Akasaki and Amano have a mentor-student relationship in a laboratory at Nagoya University, where they were the first in the world to successfully develop blue LEDs, and later Nakamura established mass production technology. In cases of joint research by multiple individuals, or when the achievements of multiple individuals are the reason for the award, up to three people can be awarded at the same time, and this time these individuals received the award simultaneously.
The Nobel Prize is an award system established based on the will of Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, and it has six categories.
Including this time, Japan's award history includes 10 in Physics, 7 in Chemistry, 2 in Physiology or Medicine, 2 in Literature, and 1 in Peace, totaling 22 individuals, while there has been no award in Economics yet.
Nobel's will states, "Establish a fund from liquid assets, and award the interest each year to the person who has made the most significant contribution to humanity in the previous year."
This reflects respect for all Nobel Prize winners who have contributed to the development of humanity and society, and this award is particularly a source of pride as it represents the achievements of Japanese researchers from basic research to practical application.
Regarding the development of science and technology, both Japan and the United States have established research policies for the advancement of science itself, while in other countries, it seems there is a perspective that it is done for economic development. Regardless of the truth, since the enactment of the Basic Law on Science and Technology in 1995, Japan has invested a large amount of funding in basic research, and the results seem to be emerging.
Although the total number of Nobel Prize winners does not compare to that of Europe and the United States, since 2000, Japan has seen a succession of awards in the three fields of natural sciences, demonstrating a certain presence. Japan also has substantial research funding and a strong information network with the world, leading to opinions that further expectations are warranted.

However, the investment in research fields is not aimed at increasing the number of Nobel Prize winners. It is essential to enhance the educational and research environment for young people, as this leads to the reproduction of human resources that support "Monozukuri Japan." I believe that investing in people is crucial for Japan, which lacks resources, to prosper in the future.
In recent educational settings, issues such as young people's disengagement from science and the decrease in international students have become challenges. However, many children engage in their studies with pure intentions, and their achievements will lead to the prosperity of the country, ultimately resulting in an increase in Nobel Prize winners. We must lay the foundation for this.
In light of this award, I have reaffirmed the importance of deepening collaboration with the Board of Education and working on the education of Inagi's children, who will carry the future.