Japanese scientists honored at Nobel ceremonyーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS
Two Japanese scientists were among those being honored in the Swedish Capitol on Wednesday. The award ceremony was held at Stockholm Concert Hall. Kitagamasumu of Kyoto University is one of three winners of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. You have made groundbreaking discoveries in chemistry that have led to the development of metal organic frameworks. This is a truly great achievement for the benefit of humankind. >> Kitagawa was honored alongside his fellow laurates Richard Robson and Omer Yagi. King Carl the 16th Gustaf presented their medals. >> The other Japanese laurette is Sakaguchi Shimon of the University of Osaka. He's one of three winners of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. >> Their work opens new avenues to treat autoimmune diseases, enhance cancer immunotherapy, and promote uh transplant tolerance. >> Sakaguchi received his medal alongside Mary Bronco and Fred Ramstell. After the ceremony, he told the reporters he was delighted, calling it a special day in his life, and said he felt honored to hear the audience applause. Sakaguchi and Kitagawa then attended a banquet for the laurates with about 1,300 people in attendance including members of the Swedish royal family. We are now joined by NHK World's Saito Meumi in Stockholm. So, Meumi, how are things over there? I'm standing near Stockholm City Hall, which hosted the banquet last night. Obviously, it's a lot quieter now, but yesterday, it feel like the whole city was in a festive mood. The our ceremony and banquet always get a lots of media attention and this year was no different. >> Yes, especially from here in Japan, two of the uh country's scientists won the auroras. Uh so speaking of those two, Sakaguchi and Kitagawa, how did they get on during that ceremony? They both looked a little nervous at first, but they had smiles on their faces as they received their medals. After the ceremony, they were surrounded by well-wishers, and they both looked relaxed while they chatted with people. It was clear that the pressure was off. At the banquet, they seemed in good spirits as they mingle with guests, including members of the Swedish royal family and other laurates. This was the first time in 10 years that Japan's scientific community has received two Nobel prizes. But it seems there are concerns about whether Japan will continue to produce such pioneering research in the future. >> Yes, both Sakaguchi and Kiraagawa have highlighted the importance of support particularly in the field of fundamental research. It takes a long time to produce results. So they say they need long-term support and envir and an environment where researchers can focus on their work. Japanese scientists hope that Sakaguchi and Kitagawa's nobel wins will raise awareness about the need for better research environments. >> Meumi, I hear you've been spending a lot of time with Kitagawa since he won the award a couple of months ago. What's your impression of him as a person? >> What really struck me was his attitude toward research. Kiraagawa always seemed to be enjoying his work. When he spoke in front of Japanese students at a school in Stockholm, they asked him what he likes most about it. He answered with a smile and say he finds in it's most rewarding when he achieves something no one else has done before. I think that kind of attitude is what has kept him at the forefront of research and it's great to see how he shared this spirit of discovery with children. >> Yes, hopefully he will keep on inspiring young minds. NHK World Saito Meumi in Stockholm. Thank you.
NHK World’s Saito Megumi reports from Stockholm on the Nobel Prize award ceremony, and what this year’s two Japanese laureates are hoping to pass on to younger generations. #japan
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