Kyoto Prize

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The Kyoto Prize is an annual international award established in 1984 by the Inamori Foundation to recognize individuals who have "contributed significantly to the scientific, cultural, and spiritual betterment of mankind".

Award categories are Advanced Technology, Basic Sciences, and Arts and Philosophy, each of which is comprised of four fields. Prizes are in principle conferred on one individual per category but may be shared by two or more people depending on the achievements recognized.

Selection is made without regard to nationality, race, sex, age, or religion.

Each laureate is presented with a diploma, a 20K gold medal, and prize money of 50 million yen.

Laureates from Kyoto University

Year of award Name Title and affiliation at the time of award Category and field

2018 (34th)

Masaki Kashiwara

Specially Appointed Professor, Research Institute for Mathematical Sciences (RIMS), Kyoto University

  • Category: Basic Sciences
  • Field: Mathematical Sciences

2016 (32nd)

Takeo Kanade

Helen Whitaker Professor, Carnegie Mellon University

(Formerly assistant professor at the KyotoU Faculty of Engineering)

  • Category: Advanced Technology
  • Field: Information Science

Tasuku Honjo

Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University

  • Category: Basic Sciences
  • Field: Life Sciences

2013 (29th)

Masatoshi Nei

Professor, Pennsylvania State University
(Formerly assistant at the Kyoto University Faculty of Agriculture)

  • Category: Basic Sciences
  • Field: Biological Sciences

2010 (26th)

Shinya Yamanaka

Director, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University

  • Category: Advanced Technology
  • Field: Biotechnology and Medical Technology

2009 (25th)

Isamu Akasaki

  • Professor, Meijo University
  • Distinguished Professor and Professor Emeritus, Nagoya University

(Graduate of the KyotoU Faculty of Science)

  • Category: Advanced Technology
  • Field: Electronics

2004 (20th)

Alan Curtis Kay

Visiting Professor, Department of Social Informatics, Graduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University

  • Category: Advanced Technology
  • Field: Information Science

1998 (14th)

Kiyoshi Ito

Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University

  • Category: Basic Sciences
  • Field: Mathematical Sciences

1995 (11th)

Chushiro Hayashi

Professor Emeritus, Kyoto University

  • Category: Basic Sciences
  • Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences, Astronomy, and Astrophysics

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Kyoto Prize