Japan
News
01 Sep 2026
The University of Osaka
A research group in Japan led by Professor YAMAMOTO Takashi, Deputy Director, Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Biology / Graduate School of Engineering Science, the University of Osaka, in collaboration with the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) and Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., has successfully demonstrated a world-record 10-channel multiplexed quantum photonic interface based on an integrated waveguide array, a key technology for optically interconnecting multiple quantum computers.
30 Aug 2026
Tohoku University
Instead of producing graphene at temperatures as high as 900°C, researchers at Tohoku University found a way to lower this to 300 °C. Even better, the material used to achieve this can be easily obtained from industrial waste.
27 Aug 2026
Tohoku University
Think you could learn a brand new skill from a five-second video clip? AI was trained on footage from just a few steps of a stick insect, and learned how to walk, navigate bumpy terrain, and adapt to limb loss in a robot with six legs.
27 Aug 2026
The University of Osaka
Researchers from the University of Osaka found that amyloid formation is promoted by a combination of shear stress and constrained geometry in an in vitro model of amyloidogenic light chain disease. Applying mechanical agitation or pressure, as well as disaggregating agents, effectively removed amyloid deposits. These findings provide a novel framework for understanding amyloid deposition in organs.
27 Aug 2026
Osaka Metropolitan University
How foreign genes become permanent in parasitic plants
27 Aug 2026
The University of Osaka
Researchers at the University of Osaka developed a catalyst that uses ultrasonic vibration to convert CO2 into CO. By modifying the catalyst with a metal–organic framework (MOF) incorporating isolated copper atoms, the catalyst is designed to concentrate CO2 near copper reaction sites and make better use of piezo-induced charges generated by vibration. It achieved a CO production rate of 114 μmol g-1 h-1, nearly five times that of pristine BaTiO3. The findings provide a new strategy for using mechanical energy to support more efficient carbon recycling.
27 Aug 2026
The University of Osaka
Researchers at the University of Osaka developed chiral hole-transport materials that selectively conduct electrons according to spin. Across three classes of materials, molecular handedness consistently determined the direction of spin polarization. The homochiral material also showed nearly threefold higher hole mobility and improved charge extraction and surface passivation in perovskite solar cells, highlighting new possibilities for controlling spin, charge transport, and interfaces through molecular design.
26 Aug 2026
The University of Osaka
Researchers at the University of Osaka and the Osaka Institute of Public Health found that pertussis-associated DNA in wastewater increased weeks before reported cases, with the main analysis showing a 10-week lead. The findings suggest that wastewater monitoring could complement clinical surveillance by detecting changes in community transmission earlier, although further research is needed before it can be used as a validated forecasting tool.
25 Aug 2026
The University of Osaka
Researchers from the University of Osaka have developed a fast computational framework that predicts the optical performance of quantum color centers without being restricted to a specific host material. By replacing computationally intensive calculations with simple theoretical formulas and procedures, the method enables rapid screening of promising quantum materials spanning ultraviolet to telecommunication wavelengths.
25 Aug 2026
Kanazawa University
Developmental disorders, including autism, entail challenges in social life; as the number of affected individuals has risen, this has become a significant societal concern. Using a mouse model, we demonstrate that a mutation in CHD8, a gene associated with autism spectrum disorder, causes abnormal differentiation of ventral progenitor cells, leading to autistic-like behavior in adulthood. This should lead to the elucidation of mechanisms underlying autism onset during brain development and to the advancement of therapeutics.
25 Aug 2026
Osaka Metropolitan University
Researchers perform a full Glauber-theory calculation that overcomes long-standing computational challenges
25 Aug 2026
Ehime University
We study the ground state of the spin-1/2 XXZ antiferromagnet on the triangular lattice in the easy-axis regime using density-matrix renormalization group with spiral boundary conditions. The ordered state remains a nontrivial three-sublattice Y-like structure over a wide anisotropy range. Extrapolation shows incomplete sublattice polarization even in the Ising limit. Energy comparisons demonstrate that the Y state is favored over the up-down-down state, stabilized by quantum fluctuations from the degenerate Ising manifold.
24 Aug 2026
Osaka Metropolitan University
Revised techniques reveal bone loss in shoulder replacements
21 Aug 2026
Ehime University
Linked studies reveal fish-based contamination in pet foods and paired serum-food evidence for feline exposure
21 Aug 2026
The University of Osaka
Researchers from the University of Osaka and Diponegoro University developed an AI-powered navigation system for cyborg cockroaches. Using onboard sensors and a multilayer perceptron, the system recognizes flat ground, climbs, descents, and holes in real time, then adapts electrical stimulation accordingly. By supporting natural climbing while reducing unnecessary steering, the approach shortened obstacle-crossing and total navigation times, reduced travel distance and stimulation, and significantly improved efficient movement across complex terrain.
20 Aug 2026
Osaka Metropolitan University
Original coconut-blend fuel performed similarly to jet fuel with reduced hydrocarbon emissions
20 Aug 2026
The University of Osaka
Researchers from the University of Osaka have developed a new class of chiral semiconducting polymers that can generate highly spin-polarized electrical currents. The team’s unique molecular design allows the polymers to self-assemble into helical structures that efficiently filter electron spins, offering a promising platform for future spintronic devices and clean-energy technologies.
19 Aug 2026
The University of Osaka
Researchers at the University of Osaka discovered that people who reach extreme old age have an unusual immune system. Around the age of 100, they develop large numbers of rare immune cells that resemble those seen in people fighting cancer, allowing them to remain highly active in their supercentenarian years. The findings suggest that the immune system can adapt with age and may help protect some people from disease to support exceptional longevity.
19 Aug 2026
Hiroshima University
In a global first, Hiroshima University researchers demonstrate that food processing liquid waste can be used and reused to produce two omega-3 fatty acids by the cultivation of Aurantiochytrium sp., a marine microorganism.
19 Aug 2026
The University of Osaka
Researchers at the University of Osaka, Shimane University, and Kyoto Sangyo University have now theoretically identified an unusual pattern of vibrations that emerges just before a crystal made of regularly arranged grains yields. Many vibrational modes soften simultaneously along particular directions, while long-wavelength waves travel more slowly than shorter ones. The findings reveal a possible physical precursor to failure in highly ordered particulate materials.
18 Aug 2026
The University of Osaka
A team led by researchers from the University of Osaka has used acoustic tweezers to analyze the mechanical properties of biopolymer droplets without needing to physically touch the material. Using this method, the team investigated the stiffness of condensates of a model biopolymer. This technique will further the knowledge of biopolymer droplets and their roles in cellular biology, and may lead to the discovery of novel methods of treating diseases caused by the dysfunction of these droplets.
17 Aug 2026
Hiroshima University
Finding new species in unassuming settings brings light to further exploration and conservation efforts to preserve the unique diversity in groundwater environments
13 Aug 2026
Osaka Metropolitan University
Mitochondrial protein in brain neurons found to regulate appetite and body weight
10 Aug 2026
Hiroshima University
Airborne genetic material could transform biodiversity and biosecurity monitoring, but researchers say major gaps in sampling, interpretation, and governance must be closed first before suitable technologies can be deployed.
10 Aug 2026
The University of Osaka
A spinout from the University of Osaka is developing a slim, lightweight, single-use endoscope designed specifically for gastric cancer screening. By simplifying conventional endoscope design, the device aims to reduce patient discomfort, lower costs, and lessen the burden on healthcare professionals. Its disposable format removes the need for cleaning and disinfection, while future integration with AI and digital platforms could support more accessible and efficient screening.
07 Aug 2026
Hiroshima University
Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) can be difficult to treat once it develops, making prevention especially important. In a retrospective study, a Hiroshima University researcher found that quantitative measurements extracted from CT images taken before treatment, when analyzed with machine learning, could distinguish patients who later developed the condition from those who did not—an early step toward predicting MRONJ risk before bone resorption inhibitor therapy begins.
07 Aug 2026
Hiroshima University
Growth impairment is a common late effect of childhood stem cell transplantation. A Japan-wide study found that growth hormone therapy improves adult height, but prior radiation therapy and transplant-related complications negatively affect how much children benefit.
07 Aug 2026
Kanazawa University
C/EBPγ coordinates cancer cell plasticity and DNA repair in lung adenocarcinoma, revealing a potential target against therapy resistance.
07 Aug 2026
Kanazawa University
High-coverage Jomon and Yayoi genomes reveal continuity with modern Japanese, continental ancestry, and prehistoric starch adaptations in Japan.
07 Aug 2026
Kanazawa University
Kanazawa University, Japan – Research group led by Prof. Keiichi Hirano and Assistant Prof. Akira Matsumoto have developed a novel synthetic method for the selective cleavage of strong carbon–hydrogen (C–H) bonds while preserving weaker carbon–silicon (C–Si) bonds. This transformation enables the upgrading of structurally simple α-silyl alcohols into functionalized derivatives that are difficult to access by conventional methods. The key to this success lies in utilizing a finely tuned phosphonium ylide catalyst in combination with an organophotoredox catalyst under visible-light irradiation.
Events
11 Nov 2025
The Joint 'PCST Japan Symposium' and '7th JSF Conference' will be held from 11 to 13 November 2025 in Tokyo, Japan organised by Japan Scicom Forum (JSF) and hosted by Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), Tokyo.
The joint symposium will focus on the strategic development of science communication and public engagement in Asia by highlighting innovative practices and solutions from around the world for engaging diverse audiences in non-Western contexts to create a sustainable ecosystem within the region.
08 Oct 2025
Meet your potential business partners in this Asia's Largest Partnering Event.
08 Jun 2025
The 2025 Symposium on VLSI Technology and Circuits will be held on June 8-12, 2025, JST. All the meetings will be held at RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto, Horikawa Shiokoji, Shimogyo ku , Kyoto 600 8237, Japan.
Held as a five-day at the Rihga Royal Hotel, as well as selected presentations and panel sessions, the Symposium will feature advanced VLSI technology developments, innovative circuit designs, and the applications they enable, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, IoT, wearable/implantable biomedical applications, big data, cloud / edge computing, virtual reality (VR) / augmented reality (AR), robotics, and autonomous vehicles.
The weeklong Symposium will continue its reputation as the microelectronics industry’s premiere international conference integrating technology, circuits, and systems with a range and scope unlike any other conferences. In addition to the technical presentations, the Symposium program will feature a demonstration session, evening panel discussions, joint focus sessions, short courses, and workshops.
26 May 2025
Tohoku University Hospital
18 Mar 2025
This Forum will be held on 18 March 2025 in Kobe, Japan, and will be hybrid (on-site and virtual).
26 Aug 2025
ISFMS 2025 is anticipated to attract over 200 participants, including
a diverse international community of researchers, professionals, and
experts in the field of molecular sciences as well as the broader life science community
08 Feb 2025
A symposium that will discuss how to address multifaceted challenges of inequality and promote science for sustainability will take place in person and online on February 8, 2025.
23 Jul 2024
The Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN), in collaboration with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and Future Earth Japan, will host the Partnerships for Sustainability session (PS-2) at the International Forum for Sustainable Asia and the Pacific on 23 July 2024 at 15:30-16:30 (JST/GMT +09:00), Pacifico, Yokohama and via Zoom.
24 Oct 2023
This Forum will take place on 24 October 2023 in Kobe, Japan. It will be held in hybrid format (on-site and virtual).
21 Nov 2023
Japan Scicom Forum brings together communicators, writers, scientists and journalists in Japan. Registration is free and the event will be in English.
11 Oct 2023
Meet your potential business partners in this Partnering Event. Asia's Largest Partnering will be held in both digitally and physically.
23 Dec 2022
This Forum will take place on 23rd December 2022 in Kobe, Japan. It will be held in hybrid format (on-site and on-line).
13 Feb 2022
A joint forum by APN, ADRC, JICA Kansai, and Graduate School of Disaster Resilience and Governance, University of Hyogo
26 Jan 2022
Since 2001, the "nano tech" exhibition is one of largest exhibition in the world held in Tokyo, Japan. In 2022, it will be held in On-site and On-line format as a Hybrid event.
09 Sep 2021
Tohoku University will be hosting the 8th German-Japanese (HeKKSaGOn) University Presidents' Conference from Sept 9-10. The online event includes an Academic Conference on the first day that is open to the general public. See article for details.
09 Sep 2021
Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) will launch a new Master-PhD course on origin-of-life science and astrobiology at Tokyo Institute of Technology. The five-year ELSI course is open for domestic and international students who wish to tackle fundamental questions in natural science such as the origin and evolution of living planets. ELSI will provide financial support (as salary of a research assistant) for all the students, except for ones who are going to be supported by JSPS DC fellowships (Japan) or equivalent fellowships.
12 Oct 2021
The Asia's Largest Partnering “BioJapan” will be held both digitally and physically. Meet your potential business partners in this Partnering Event!
14 Jul 2021
Intelligent Mobility 2021 will offer a platform for industry experts, thought leaders, policy makers, city planners and researchers to discuss the future of mobility, growth opportunities emerging as a result of disruptive innovation, and the potential impact of new business models.
10 Mar 2021
Upcoming side event at the 7th Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum: Partnerships to harmonize science information and knowledge at regional scales for enabling adaptation
26 Mar 2021
Springer Nature and the University of Tokyo to hold SDGs Symposium 2021, “Interdisciplinary science solutions for food, water, climate and ecosystems Sustainable Development Goals”
09 Mar 2021
The SciREX Open Forum’s 10th session will invite Dr. Yoichiro Matsumoto who assumed the position of the 2nd S&T Advisor to Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs as a speaker to talk about what we can see from the pandemic, how S&T Diplomacy should be in the ongoing pandemic, and what actually can be done.
24 Feb 2021
INTERPHEX Week Osaka is Asia's leading exhibition for pharmaceutical industry, consists of 2 exhibitions for pharmaceutical technologies - INTERPHEX OSAKA (Manufacturing & Packaging) and PharmaLab Expo OSAKA (Pharma R&D and Drug Discovery).
09 Dec 2020
The 20th International Nanotechnology Exhibition & Conference will be held in onsite-online hybrid format.
25 Nov 2020
Asia's Leading Pharma & Bio Tech Show will be held as scheduled from November 25-27, 2020 at Makuhari Messe, Japan. It will be held both on-site and online.
10 Jul 2020
Tohoku University is hosting an online lecture on COVID-19 on July 10. Led by top virologist Hitoshi Oshitani, the panel will share the latest on the pandemic, and discuss how history, culture and religion can help us understand the challenges ahead.
04 Jul 2020
Tohoku University's Graduate School of Education is hosting a three-part webinar series on how the COVID-19 pandemic is transforming education in the Asia-Pacific region. The event is in English and open to everyone. But spots are limited and registration is required.
Details: https://bit.ly/2MT2UFA
14 Oct 2020
Asia's Premier Partnering Event for the Global Biotechnology Industry. This year’s exhibition will be held as originally planned at Pacifico Yokohama. BioJapan partnering is available both physically and virtually. Plus some seminars will be available online.
19 Mar 2020
Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology(ASHBi) holds the annual symposium with twenty-one speakers who are leading human biology including human development, genetics, and evolution.
Researchers
Professor Mikiya Fujii is an expert on materials informatics at Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), Japan.
National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)
Group Leader, Frontier Molecules Group, Nanomaterials Field, Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA) at the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Japan.
I am a japanese physician-scientist in gastroenterology, especially in neurogastroenterology.
Hokkaido University
Dr. Eisuke Hasegawa is an Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, where he heads the Animal Ecology Laboratory. His research interests include animal ecology; evolutionary biology; natural selection; sociality; and ethology.
Dr. Yukio Yasui is an Associate Professor at Kagawa University. He has dedicated his research work to ecology, ethology and evolutionary biology studies, with his more recent work on the evolution of sex.
National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)
Dr Naoka Nagamura is senior researcher at the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) and visiting associate professor at Tokyo University of Science. She researches advanced materials, electrochemistry and photoemission spectroscopy.
Dr. Hiroki Ago is a Distinguished Professor of the Global Innovation Center at Kyushu University. His research focuses on nanomaterials, particularly graphene and related 2D materials, and their applications.
Tohoku University
Prof. Hiroshi Yabu is a Professor and Principal Investigator at the Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR) at Tohoku University. His research interests include self-organization, biomimetics, and bio-inspired materials for energy and low environmental impacts.
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)
Ken’ichi Nomoto is a visiting senior scientist at Kavli IPMU and Professor Emeritus at The University of Tokyo. He is one of the best experts in the world in astronomy and astrophysics, particularly on stellar evolution and supernovae. He was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure by the Japanese government in 2020.
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)
Jia Liu is the Director of the Center for Data-Driven Discovery and associate professor at CMB Group at Kavli IPMU. Her research integrates data science techniques in the study of large-scale structures of the universe (dark matter, halos, filaments, voids).
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)
Elisa Ferreira is Assistant Professor at the Kavli IPMU and at the Institute of Physics of the University of São Paulo. Her research deals with the interface between cosmology, astrophysics, and high energy physics, focusing mostly on dark energy and dark matter.
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)
Man Wai Cheung is a Project Researcher and the first Chien-Shiung Wu Prize Postdoctoral Fellow at KAVLI Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU). Her research lies in the interplay between algebraic geometry, combinatorics and representation theory.
Hokkaido University
Dr. Akira Kakugo is an Associate Professor at Hokkaido University. He has researched biomolecular motors and swarming of active matters.
Kyoto University
Dr. So Iwata is a Professor at the Graduate School of Medicine Kyoto University and the Group Director of the SACLA Science Research Group, RIKEN SPring-8 Center. He has investigated how specialized membrane channels remove antimicrobial drugs from inside bacterial cells.
Her current research focuses on the synthesis of semiconducting polymers for organic electronics and has published >100 papers in this area of research.
Assistant Professor Izumi Fukunaga grew up in Japan and Malaysia and went to London to study neuroscience. Her research focuses on how sensory circuits in the brain function.
Professor Gail Tripp is a neurobiologist who established the OIST Children’s Research Center to undertake research on the nature, etiology and management of ADHD with English and Japanese speaking children and families.
Assistant Professsor Lauren Sallan is a fish paleobiologist who uses big data — the fossil record — to study how some species win and others lose. Her multiple TED Talks on the evolution of fishes, mass extinction and paleontology have received over 3 million views.
Professor Shinya Maenosono leads his research group at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST). His research in JAIST has focused on two main areas of interest in the field of materials chemistry and nanotechnology. The first area involved wet chemical synthesis of semiconductor nanoparticles with controlled size, shape and composition for energy conversion device applications. The second area has focused on the synthesis and bioapplication development of monometallic and alloyed multimetallic nanoparticles.
Osaka City University
Prof. Shigekawa's research interest includes fabrication of heterointerfaces and advanced hybrid semiconductor devices such as multijunction solar cells and heterojunction bipolar transistors using surface activated bonding and their characterization.
National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)
Ken-ichi Uchida is a group leader in the Spin Caloritronics Group, Research Center for Magnetic and Spintronic Materials under the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Japan
National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)
Satoshi Ishii is a principal researcher at International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Japan. He also holds an adjunct associate professorship at University of Tsukuba.
Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS) at Kyoto University
Hiroshi Kageyama is a professor in the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), Kyoto University, Japan.
Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), Tokyo Institute of Technology
Tomohiro Mochizuki is a specially-appointed assistant professor at Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) - Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), Tokyo Institute of Technology
Mayuko Nakagawa is a biochemist at Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) based at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan.
Hitoshi Gomi is an Earth scientist at Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) based at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan.
Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), Tokyo Institute of Technology
Tony Z. Jia is a researcher at Japan’s Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), based at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. His research focuses on astrobiology, prebiotic chemistry, and origins of life.
Giants in history
Japanese biochemist Akira Endo (1933 – 2024) discovered the first statin, called mevastatin, which lowered cholesterol levels in the blood by inhibiting a key enzyme in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. His work laid the foundation for the development of statins to help patients lower their blood cholesterol levels and reduce their risk of heart disease or stroke.
Ruby Sakae Hirose (1904 – 1960) was a Japanese-American scientist whose research contributed significantly to our understanding of blood clotting, allergies and cancer.
Haisako Koyama (1916 – 1997) was a Japanese solar observer whose dedication to recording sunspots – cooler parts of the sun’s surface that appear dark – produced a sunspot record of historic importance.
Michiaki Takahashi (17 February 1928 – 16 December 2013) was a Japanese virologist who developed the first chickenpox vaccine.
Toshiko Yuasa (11 December 1909 – 1 February 1980) was the first Japanese female physicist whose research on radioactivity shed light on beta decay – the process in which an atom emits a beta particle (electron) and turns into a different element.
Baron Kitasato Shibasaburo (29 January 1856 – 13 June 1931) was a Japanese physician and bacteriologist whose work led to a new understanding of preventing and treating tetanus, diphtheria and anthrax.
By isolating soil microorganisms and studying the compounds they produce, Satoshi Omura (born 1935) discovered almost 500 organic compounds with unique properties that were produced by these microorganisms, including many new antibiotics.
Husband and wife team, Kimishige (3 December 1925 – 6 July 2018) and Teruko Ishizaka (28 September 1926 – 4 June 2019) discovered the antibody class Immunoglobulin E (IgE) that triggers allergic reactions. They also discovered that IgE antibodies attach to white blood cells, known as mast cells, releasing histamine, which causes allergic reactions.
Husband and wife team, Kimishige (3 December 1925 – 6 July 2018) and Teruko Ishizaka (28 September 1926 – 4 June 2019) discovered the antibody class Immunoglobulin E (IgE) that triggers allergic reactions. They also discovered that IgE antibodies attach to white blood cells, known as mast cells, releasing histamine, which causes allergic reactions.
Reiji Okazaki (8 October 1930 – 1 August 1975) and Tsuneko (7 June 1933) were a Japanese couple who discovered Okazaki fragments – short sequences of DNA that are synthesized during DNA replication and linked together to form a continuous strand.
In 1915, Koichi Ichikawa along with pathologist Katsusaburo Yamagiwa became the first to prove that chronic exposure to chemicals can cause cancer.
In 1915, pathologist Katsusaburo Yamagiwa and his research assistant Koichi Ichikawa became the first to prove that chronic exposure to chemicals can cause cancer.
Ogino Ginko (3 March 1851 – 23 June 1913) was the first registered female doctor to practise modern medicine in Japan.
Michiyo Tsujimura (17 September 1888 – 1 June 1969) was a Japanese agricultural scientist and biochemist recognized for her research of green tea components.
Hitoshi Kihara (1893 – 1986) was one of the most famous Japanese geneticists of the 20th century. One of his most significant contributions was identifying sex chromosomes (X and Y) in flowering plants.
Kono Yasui (16 February 1880 – 24 March 1971) was a Japanese botanist who researched the genetics of poppies, corn and spiderworts and surveyed the plants that had been affected by the nuclear fallout after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Umetaro Suzuki (7 April 1874 – 20 September 1943) was a Japanese scientist best remembered for his research on beriberi, a disease caused by vitamin B1 deficiency, characterized by limb stiffness, paralysis and pain.
Kikunae Ikeda (8 October 1864 – 3 May 1936) was a Japanese chemist who discovered the fifth basic taste, umami.
Osamu Shimomura (27 August 1928 – 19 October 2018) was a Japanese organic chemist and marine biologist who dedicated his career to understanding how organisms emitted light.
Motoo Kimura (13 November 1924 – 13 November 1994) was a Japanese theoretical population geneticist who is best remembered for developing the neutral theory of molecular evolution.
Chika Kuroda (24 March 1884 – 8 November 1968) was a Japanese chemist whose research focussed on the structures of natural pigments.
The field of solid-state ionics originated in Europe, but Takehiko Takahashi of Nagoya University in Japan was the first to coin the term ‘solid ionics’ in 1967. ‘Solid-state ionics’ first appeared in 1971 in another of his papers, and was likely a play on ‘solid-state electronics’, another rapidly growing field at the time.
The techniques that make industrial pearl culturing possible were developed over a century ago at the Misaki Marine Biological Station in Japan. The station’s first director, Professor Kakichi Mitsukuri, emphasized to Kokichi Mikimoto in 1890 that stimulating pearl sac formation was important for pearl growth, and they went on to successfully develop methods for culturing pearls.
Japanese physicist Ukichiro Nakaya (1900-1962) made the world’s first artificial snowflakes. He started his research on snow crystals in the early 1930s at Hokkaido University, where there is an unlimited supply of natural snow in winter. By taking over 3,000 photographs, he established a classification of natural snow crystals and described their relationship with weather conditions.
Minoru Shirota (April 23, 1899 – March 10, 1982) was a Japanese microbiologist who invented the popular fermented drink Yakult.
Japanese chemist Kenichi Fukui (4 October 1918 – 9 January 1998) was the first Asian scientist to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Together with Roald Hoffman, he received this honour in 1981 for his independent research into the mechanisms of chemical reactions.
Shinichiro Tomonaga (31 March 1906 – 8 July 1979), together with Richard Feynman and Julian Schwinger, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965, for their contributions to advance the field of quantum electrodynamics. Tomonaga was also a strong proponent of peace, who actively campaigned against the proliferation of nuclear weapons and promoted the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Hideki Yukawa (23 January 1907 – 8 September 1981) was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1949 for predicting the existence of the pi meson subatomic particle. Japan’s first Nobel laureate, Yakawa also expressed his support for nuclear disarmament by signing the Russell–Einstein Manifesto in 1955.
Japanese chemist Takamine Jokichi (3 November 1854 – 22 July 1922) founded the Tokyo Artificial Fertilizer Company, where he isolated a starch-digesting enzyme (named takadiastase) from the fungus Aspergillus oryzae.
Tsuneko (7 June 1933) and Reiji Okazaki (8 October 1930 – 1 August 1975) were a Japanese couple who discovered Okazaki fragments – short sequences of DNA that are synthesized during DNA replication and linked together to form a continuous strand.
A Japanese surgeon, Tetsuzo Akutsu (20 August 1922 – 9 August 2007) built the first artificial heart capable of keeping an animal alive.
Japanese geochemist Katsuko Saruhashi developed the first method and tools for measuring carbon dioxide in seawater