Toray Science and Technology Prize

The Toray Science and Technology Prize is awarded to scientists for their distinguished achievements in science and technology. Prizewinners are presented with a gold medal and a supplemental award of 5 million yen. Toray Science Foundation invites leading scientific societies and selected scientists to recommend candidates for the Prize every year. Two scientists from among recommended are selected for prizewinners of the year by the selection committee consisting of eminent scientists. Final acknowledgement is given by the board of directors.

Toray Science and Technology Prize : List of Winners

List of winners 2020 (61^st) - 2024 (65^th)

2024 (65^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Naoto Nagaosa Program Director, Fundamental Quantum Science Research Program, RIKEN	Theory of quantum geometric phenomena of electronic spins in solids
Hitoshi Kurumizaka Professor, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo	Elucidation of chromatin structure and function for genome regulation

2023 (64^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Akihiko Yoshimura Professor, School of Medicine, Keio University	Cytokine signal regulation mechanisms and their pathophysiological roles
Jian-Ren Shen Dean and Professor, Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University	The mechanisms of water-splitting and high light-energy utilization efficiency in photosynthesis

2022 (63^rd)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Toshio Ando Distinguished Professor, Kanazawa University	Development of high-speed atomic force microscopy and its application to protein research
Ikue Mori Director and Professor, Neuroscience Institute, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University	Fundamental mechanisms of the neural circuit regulating animal behavior

2021 (62^nd)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Ryoichiro Kageyama Director, Center for Brain Science (CBS), RIKEN	The significance of oscillatory gene expression in development
Toru H. Okabe Professor, and Director General, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo	Development of environmentally-sound recycling technologies for rare metals

2020 (61^st)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Kouji Matsushima Professor, Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science	Contribution to the treatment of intractable immune diseases through the research on inflammation regulators
Kyoko Nozaki Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo	Development of polymerization catalysts based on synthetic organic chemistry

List of winners 2010 (51^st) - 2019 (60^th)

2019 (60^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Toichiro Kinoshita Goldwin-Smith Professor Emeritus, Cornell University	Development of precision calculation method of Quantum Electrodynamics and its applications
Masamitsu Iino Project Professor, School of Medicine, Nihon University	Studies on regulatory mechanisms of cell functions by calcium

2018 (59^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Eiji Yashima Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University	Studies on precise control of helical molecular structures and their functions
Hitoshi Kuninaka Director General, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency	R&D of microwave discharge ion engines and promotion of solar system exploration

2017 (58^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Hiroshi Hamada Director, Center for Developmental Biology, RIKEN	Mechanism generating morphological asymmetry of our body
Kaoru Inokuchi Professor, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama	Molecular mechanism and circuit formation of memory

2016 (57^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Kenso Soai Professor, Department of Applied Chemistry, Tokyo University of Science	Discovery of asymmetric autocatalysis and studies on the origin of homochirality
Tetsuo Hatsuda Program Director, interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences (iTHEMS) Program, RIKEN	Pioneering theoretical studies on the quark structure of nuclei

2015 (56^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Hitoshi Okamura Professor, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University	Molecular mechanisms of biological clocks in mammals
Shū Kobayashi Professor, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo	Research on environmentally-friendly organic synthesis

2014 (55^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Sachiko Tsukita Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University	Molecular mechanism for cell-cell adhesion and paracellular barrier
Akira Furusawa Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo	Realization and development of deterministic quantum teleportation and ultra-large-scale quantum entanglement

2013 (54^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Yutaka Kondo Professor, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo	Studies on Atmospheric Ozone and Aerosols, that Influence the Earth's Atmospheric Environment
Motohide Tamura Professor, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo	Subaru Studies of Exoplanets and Their Formation Sites

2012 (53^rd)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Hitoshi Sakano Professor Emeritus and Adjunct Research Scientist, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo	Neural Map Formation in the Mouse Olfactory System
Hidetoshi Katori Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo	For his pioneering work on ultrahigh precision atomic clocks by the invention and development of an optical lattice clock

2011 (52^nd)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Yasunori Yamazaki, Distinguished Senior Scientist, RIKEN Advanced Science Institute	Developmental research of atomic physics and antimatter science with exotic beams
Keiji Maruoka, Professor, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University	Development of Organocatalytic Chemistry

2010 (51^st)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Masanori Iye, Professor, National Astronomical 0bservatory	Observational study of the early history of the Universe and the development of a laser guide-star adaptive optics system
Masayuki Yamamoto, Dean & Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University	Elucidation of Molecular Mechanisms underlying Environmental Response

List of winners 2000 (41^st) - 2009 (50^th)

2009 (50^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Teruya Shinjo Professor Emeritus Kyoto University	Studies on Magnetic Properties of Metallic Multilayers
Norihiro Okada Professor Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology	Study on the Process of Evolution in Animals

2008 (49^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Genki Yagawa Director and Professor Center for Computational Mechanics Research, Toyo University	High Performance Computational Mechanics for Advanced Manufacturing
Masakazu Iwamoto Professor Chemical Resources Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology	Development of Novel Heterogeneous Catalyses Applying Characteristics of Micro- and Mesoporous Materials

2007 (48^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Kazuo Otaka Director Chiba City Museum of Science	Pioneering Study of Photonic Crystal and Fundamental Properties of Light
Keiji Tanaka, Acting Director, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science	Comprehensive Study of Dynamic Formation and Mechanistic Actions of Proteasomes

2006 (47^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Shoji Nagamiya Director J-PARC Center, KEK & JAEA	High Energy Heavy-Ion Reactions
Seiji Shinkai Professor Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University	Studies on Functional Molecules on the Basis of Molecular Recognition

2005 (46^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Tadaomi Takenawa Professor Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo	Regulatory Mechanism of Cytoskeleton and Cell Movement by Phosphoinositides
Masataka Nakazawa Professor Research Institute of Electrical Communication Tohoku University	Pioneering Research and Deveiopment of Erbium-doped Fiber Amplifiers (EDFA) and Their Applications to Optical Communication Technology

2004 (45^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Koichi Narasaka Professor Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo	Development of Innovative Synthetic Organic Reactions
Noriyuki Satoh Professor Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University	An Establishment of a Model System for Genomewide Analyses of Developmental Genes

2003 (44^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Kunisuke Asayama Professor Emeritus Osaka University	NMR Studies of Magnetism and Superconductivity
Masakatsu Shibasaki, Professor, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo	Development of Conceptually New Asymmetric Catalysts and Its Application to Drug Synthesis and Natural Product Synthesis

2002 (43^rd)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Kanetada Nagamine Professor High Energy Accelerator Research Organization	Exploratory Studies of Muon Science
Tsuneyoshi Kuroiwa Professor College of Science, Rikkyo University	Discovery of the Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Division Apparatus and the Elucidation of the Cytoplasmic Intheritance

2001 (42^nd)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Kohei Tamao Director and Professor Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University	Organometallic Chemistry Directed toward Organic Synthesis and Materials Science
Kunio Takayanagi Professor Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology	Surface Structure Determination by UHV Electron Microscopy

2000 (41^st)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Kyozi Kawasaki Professor Emeritus at Kyushu University Professor at Chubu University	Theories of Transport Phenomena and Glass Transitions
Atsuhiro Nishida Professor Emeritus at Institute of Space and Astronautical Science Supervisor at Japan Society for the Promotion of Science	Study of Structure and Dynamics of the Magnetosphere

List of winners 1990 (31^st) - 1999 (40^th)

1999(40^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Isamu Akasaki Professor Emeritus at Nagoya University Professor at Meijo University	Study of Wide Bandgap Group III Nitride Semiconductors
Mitsuhiro Yanagida Professor at Kyoto University	Studies on Regulatory Mechanisms for Chromosome Segregation

1998 (39^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Masao Doyama Professor Emeritus at University of Tokyo Professor at Teikyo University of Science and Technology	Study of Crystalline Defects in Metals and Alloys
Makoto Asashima Professor at University of Tokyo	Control of Embryonic Body Form and Organs in vitro

1997 (38^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Taro Kihara Professor Emeritus at University of Tokyo	Pioneering Work on the Structure of Universe
Toyoichi Tanaka Professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Discovery of Phase Transitions of Gels

1996 (37^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Hajime Mori Professor Emeritus at Kyushu University Professor at Kyushu Kyoritsu University	Statistical Mechanical Study on Transport Phenomena and Chaos
Hisashi Yamamoto Professor at Nagoya University	Development of Designer Lewis Acids

1995 (36^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Hirotaka Sugawara Director at National Laboratory for High Energy Physics	Algebraic Formulation of Field Theory
Shigetada Nakanishi Professor at Kyoto University	Molecular Physiological Studies of Neurotransmitter Receptors

1994 (35^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Toru Yoshizawa Professor Emeritus at Kyoto University Professor at Osaka Sangyo University	Photo-biophysical Studies on Vision
Kenichi Iga Professor at Tokyo Institute of Technology	Pioneering Works Initiating Parallel Optoelectronics Based on Invention and Realization of Surface Emitting Lasers and Microlens Arrays

1993 (34^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Hironari Miyazawa Professor Emeritus at University of Tokyo Professor at Kanagawa University	Proposal of Supersymmetry and Pioneering Works in Meson Physics
Shohei Inoue Professor at University of Tokyo	Precise Control of Polymer Synthesis

1992 (33^rd)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Toru Imura Professor Emeritus at Nagoya University Professor at Aichi Institute of Technology	Development of High Speed Diffraction Microtopography and its Application to the Study of Behavior of Lattice Defects
Masao Iri Professor at University of Tokyo	Mathematical Methods for Discrete Systems and Applications
Shuji Saito Professor at Institute for Molecular Science	Spectroscopic Study of Interstellar Molecules

1991 (32^nd)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Haruo Chino Professor Emeritus at Hokkaido University	Studies on Lipophorin, A Lipid-Carrier Protein
Minoru Ozima Professor at Osaka University	Study of Noble Gas Geochemistry
Shinji Kawaji Professor at Gakushuin University	Quantum Physics of Two Dimensional Electron Systems

1990 (31^st)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Tadao Kasuya Professor at Tohoku University	Theoretical Studies on Magnetic and Transport Properties of Rare Earth Compounds
Humio Inaba Director and Professor, Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University	Advanced Researches in Optical Electronics ; Laser Radar and Related Technology, and Detection of Ultraweak Photon Signals

List of winners 1980 (21^st) - 1989 (30^th)

1989 (30^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Yasuo Tanaka Professor at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science	X-ray Astronomy with Scientific Satellite
Ryoji Noyori Professor at Nagoya University	Organic Syntheses Based on Organometallic Chemistry

1988 (29^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Yasuharu Suematsu Professor at the Tokyo Institute of Technology	Study on Dynamic-Single-Mode Semiconductor Laser
Masuo Suzuki Professor at University of Tokyo	Research on the Phase Transition by Statistical Mechanics

1987 (28^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Kozo Kuchitsu Professor at University of Tokyo	Study on the Structure and Dynamical Properties of Gas Molecules
Masato Morita Professor at Osaka University	Theory of Beta Decay and Muon Capture
Akira Endo Professor at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology	Studies of Inhibitors of Cholesterol Synthesis

1986 (27^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Nobuhiko Saito Professor at Waseda University	Statistical Mechanical Studies on Biopolymers
Kozo Tanabe Professor at Hokkaido University	Research and Development on Solid Acids and Bases

1985 (26^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Takeshi Kanazawa Professor Emeritus at University of Tokyo Professor at Nagasaki Institute of Applied Science University	Studies on Brittle Fracture of Steels for Welded Structures
Akira Kobata Professor at University of Tokyo	Development and Application of Methods to Structurally Characterize Sugar Chains of Glycoproteins

1984 (25^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Ikuzo Tanaka Professor at Tokyo Institute of Technology	Comprehensive Study on Elementary Processes in Photochemistry
Yoshihiro Hamakawa Professor at Osaka University	Valency Electron Control of Amorphous Silicon Carbide and its Application to Electronic Devices

1983 (24^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Kei Yoshida Professor Emeritus at University of Tokyo Professor at Tokyo University of Science	Theory of Kondo Effect
Shun-ichi Iwasaki Professor at Tohoku University	Studies on High Density Magnetic Recording

1982 (23^rd)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Ryoyu Utiyama Professor Emeritus at Osaka University President of Tezukayama University	Theory of General Gauge Fields
Kozo Kawata Professor at University of Tokyo	Studies on Mechanics of High Velocity Deformation of Solids

1981 (22^nd)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Tuneji Rikitake Professor Emeritus at University of Tokyo Professor at Nihon University	Studies of Geoelectric and Geomagnetic Problems in Earth's Interior
Hisashi Matsuda Professor at Osaka University	Development of High Resolution Mass Spectrometer and its Application to Molecular Science

1980 (21^st)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Katsuma Dan Professor Emeritus at Tokyo Metropolitan University Scientific Adviser at Mitsubishi-Kasei Institute of Life Sciences	Analysing Mechanism of Cell Division
Norio Kato Professor at Nagoya University	Spherical Wave Theory in X-Ray Diffraction

List of winners 1970 (11^th) - 1979 (20^th)

1979 (20^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Takeo Saegusa Professor at Kyoto University	New Polymerization Reactions and Application thereof to Synthesis of New Polymers
Kazuo Takayanagi Professor at University of Tokyo	Theory of Atomic and Molecular Collision Processes and Its Applications to Space Physics

1978 (19^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Shiro Ogawa Professor Emeritus at Tohoku University Professor at Shibaura Institute of Technology	Application of Diffraction Crystallography to Study of Metal Physics
Saburo Miyake Professor at University of Tokyo	Researches on Cosmic Rays Deep Underground

1977 (18^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Teruaki Mukaiyama Professor at University of Tokyo	New Synthetic Reactions and Application to Syntheses of Natural Products
Sakaru Suzuki Professor at Nagoya University	Structure, Biosynthesis and Biological Functions of Proteoglycan

1976 (17^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Tatsuzo Obayashi Professor at University of Tokyo	Solar Terrestrial Physics
Ryo Sato Professor at Osaka University	Biochemical Studies on Microsomal Electron Transport System

1975 (16^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Takao Inui Professor at University of Tokyo	Wave-analytical Approach Applied to With-bulb Waveless Ship Hull Forms
Kazutomo Imahori Professor at University of Tokyo	Physicochemical Properties of Biopolymers in Relation to Their Functions

1974 (15^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Takashi Kubota Professor Emeritus at Osaka City University Professor at Kinki University	Studies on Constituents of Black-rotted Sweet Potatoes and Other Plant Bitter Principles
Kenzo Sugimoto Professor at Osaka University	Studies on Electromagnetic Moments of Nuclei

1973 (14^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Kei Arima Professor at University of Tokyo	Studies on Mucor Rennin
Koichi Shimoda Professor at University of Tokyo	Studies on Quantum Electronics

1972 (13^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Takakazu Maruyasu Professor at University of Tokyo	Studies on Application of Photogrammetry
Kunio Yagi Professor at Nagoya University	Studies on Flavins and Flavin Enzymes

1971 (12^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Yoshimitsu Kikuchi Professor at Tohoku University	Research and Study on Magnetostriction Vibration
Takeo Matsubara Professor at Kyoto University	Study of Quantum Statistical Mechanics

1970 (11^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Minoru Oda Professor at University of Tokyo	Invention of Modulation Collimator and Its Application to Study of X-ray Stars
Masaji Kubo Professor at Nagoya University	Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance and Its Applications to the Study of Chemical Bonds

List of winners 1960 (1^st) - 1969 (10^th)

1969 (10^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Kazuhiko Nishijima Professor at University of Tokyo	Discovery of the Strangeness Scheme
Ken-ichi Maeda Professor at Kyoto University	Study of Ionosphere Physics

1968 (9^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Hajime Nakamura Director of Research Institute Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.	Development and Industrial Application of Weldable High-Strength Steel
Shizuo Miyake Professor at University of Tokyo	Basic Phenomena of X-Ray and Electron Diffraction by Crystals

1967 (8^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Kazuo Okunuki Professor at Osaka University	Studies on Cytochrome System
Takeshi Nagata Professor at University of Tokyo	Researches of Rock Magnetism

1966 (7^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Go Okamoto Professor at Hokkaido University	Studies on Corrosion and Corrosion Control of Metals
Masao Kotani Professor Emeritus at University of Tokyo Professor at Osaka University	Quantum-mechanical Theory of Molecular Structure

1965 (6^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Ryozi Uyeda Professor at Nagoya University	Electron Diffraction, Basic Research and Its Application
Itiro Tani Professor at University of Tokyo	Studies on Mechanics of Viscous Fluids, Particularly on Boundary Layer Flows

1964 (5^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Hidetoshi Takahashi Professor at University of Tokyo	Studies of Information Theory and Quantum Noise
Zenji Nishiyama Professor Emeritus at Osaka University	Study of Martensite Transformation

1963 (4^th)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Tsuneo Akashi Nippon Electric Co., Ltd.	Oxide Magnetic Materials
Toki-o Yamamoto Professor at Nagoya University	Artificial Inversion of Sex in Killifish (Physiological, Heredity of Fishes)

1962 (3^rd)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Kinichiro Sakaguchi Professor Emeritus at University of Tokyo	Studies of New Enzyme System of Nucleic Acid Decomposition and Its Application for Production of Inosinic and Guanylic Acids, New Food Flavour
Harujiro Sekiguchi Professor at Nagoya University	New Proposal on Welding Steel Wires and Initiation of New Welding Process

1961 (2^nd)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Sajiro Makino Professor at Hokkaido University	Cytogenetical Studies of Mammals Including Man
Benzaburo Kato President, Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd.	Production of Amino Acids by Fermentation

1960 (1^st)

Name of Winners	Name of Research
Tachu Naito Professor Emeritus at Waseda University	Studies of Earthquake-Resistant Walls in Building Structure
Ichiro Sakurada Professor at Kyoto University	Studies of Synthetic Fibers
Morizo Hirata Professor at University of Tokyo	Phenomena of Fractures in Solid Materials
Reona Esaki Sony Corporation	Semi-Conductor Electrical Devices

Toray Science and Technology Prize