The award ceremony of the "Japan Prize", which is given to researchers who have made outstanding achievements in the field of science and technology, was held in Tokyo with the attendance of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, and Katalin contributed to the development of the new coronavirus vaccine. The award was given to Dr. Kariko and others.

The "Japan Prize" is presented by the Japan Prize Foundation to researchers who have made outstanding achievements in contributing to the peace and prosperity of humankind in the field of science and technology.



The award ceremony was postponed last year and due to the spread of the new coronavirus, so it was held for the first time in three years, and Their Majesties arrived at the venue's Imperial Hotel in the afternoon.

The winner of this year is Katalin Kariko, Senior Vice President of German biotechnology company Biontech, which paved the way for the medical application of artificially produced messenger RNA and contributed significantly to the development of the new Corona vaccine. Drew Weissman of the University of Pennsylvania, USA, and Christopher Field of Stanford University, who contributed to the study of climate change by estimating the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by plants.



Approximately 150 people attended the ceremony, and three received a commemorative plaque with the award winners last year.

His Majesty the Emperor said, "Currently, people all over the world, including Japan, are facing various difficulties due to the effects of the new coronavirus infection. The role of science and technology in such a situation is even more important. It seems that it will become. "



The three winners of this year will hold a press conference on the 15th.