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 Isamu 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).
Mr. Akasaki and Mr. Amano had a mentor-mentee relationship in a laboratory at Nagoya University, where they first succeeded in developing blue LEDs in the world. Later, Mr. Nakamura established the mass production technology. In cases of joint research by multiple people, or when the achievements of multiple individuals are the reason for the award, it is possible for up to three people to receive the award 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 consists of six categories.
Including this time, Japan has a total of 22 awardees: 10 for the Nobel Prize in Physics, 7 for the Nobel Prize in Science, 2 for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 2 for the Nobel Prize in Literature, and 1 for the Nobel Peace Prize. There have been no recipients for the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences yet.
Nobel's will states, "Establish a fund with liquid assets, and award the interest each year to the person who contributed the most to humanity in the previous year."
In light of this purpose, we pay tribute to all Nobel Prize laureates who have contributed to the development of humanity and society. This award, in particular, is a source of pride as it was achieved by 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, there seems to be 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 been investing a large amount of funds into 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, Japan has seen a succession of awards in the three fields of natural sciences since 2000, demonstrating a certain presence. There are also opinions that Japan, with its substantial research funding and strong information network with the world, can be expected to achieve even more.

However, 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, which leads to the reproduction of human resources that support "Monozukuri Japan." I believe that for Japan, which has no resources, to prosper in the future, investing in people is crucial.
In recent years, the education field has faced challenges such as the declining interest of young people in science and the decrease in international students. However, many children are engaging in their studies with pure intentions, and their achievements will contribute to the prosperity of the country, ultimately leading to an increase in Nobel Prize winners. We must lay the foundation for this.
In light of this award, we have reaffirmed the importance of deepening our collaboration with the Board of Education and our commitment to the education of the children of Inagi, who will carry the future.