Last Wednesday, I had a wonderful chance to attend the Japan Prize/日本国際受賞式（nihon kokusai jyusho siki) There’s the review on the morning show, the reporter asked some pedestrians passed by.
It seems like many people even Japanese, don’t know about Japan Prize.

Japan Prize has been established to honor scientists and researchers from all over the world who are recognized to have made original and outstanding achievements in science and technology and who have made substantial contributions to the advancement of science and technology and to peace and prosperity of mankind.

It’s really an honour that we’re given invitation from the scholarship sponsor. It’s attended by His Majesty, The Emperor. It’s like dream to see them not on TV but for real.

This year is the 24th Japan Prize, the prize laureate this year receive certificate merit, commerative medal and cash award of 50 million yen (abt 4,3 billion IDR or 475,000 USD). They are :
1) Dr Vinton G. Cerf (USA) and Dr Robert E Kahn (USA)
Prize category : Information Communication Theory and Technology.
Achievement : Creation of Network Architecture and Communication Protocol for the Internet.

2) Dr Victor A. McKusick (USA)
Prize Category : Medical Genomics and Genetics
Achievement : Establishment of medical genetics and contributions to its development.

Each of the Laureate was accompanied by their wife. Maybe it’s quite trouble for them since the ceremony was conducted in Japanese. Sitting in front of the stage, each of them had Japanese sitting behind them, giving signal by touching their shoulder, when it’s their turn to give acceptance speech and receive award.

I was so fully impressed on how they’re so passionate in the research continuously for years.
Particularly I was so touched for Dr Victor A McKusick. He’s already 86 years old, known as the father of human genetics, published more than 760 scientific publications. Can you imagine? He’s doing collaborative efforts by more than 3,000 researchers in the project. A really impressive achievement.

When he walked to the stage accompanied by his wife, I almost cried. It’s a beautiful companion.
His speech also impressive, thank the woman who’s beside him and supporting him for more than 50 years. Not only deliver the message of his gratitude to his wife (which is really touching for me) and also to ones who have sent his name to Japan Prize.

As for Dr Vinton, I love his accent in the speech but he didn’t include his thanks to his wife.

For you researchers, maybe you have the ambition to win the Japan Prize as well?
Good luck!

After the Japan Prize, we had dinner in Pasella-Ginza. Met senpaitachi-seniors and also kouhaitachi-new comers.
I drank sake quite much and made my friend shocked.
“Last time I knew you didn’t drink sake.. ” ha ha.. yeah, I used to be allergic even to the beer when I was in Indonesia. But I started to drink cocktails and sake, not often, only for special occasions.
Party’s over and we went back home, Ningrum was going with me as she spent night in my place. Come to Tokyo again later and spend more days for hanging around Tokyo,gal!

THE END

Resources :
Japan Prize

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