Categories Selected for the 2008 (24th) Japan Prize

TOKYO, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The Science and Technology Foundation of Japan Announced Today the Two Categories for the 2008(24th) Japan Prize, and Determined Their Definition as Follows:

  Field I:  Information/Communications
  "Information Communication Theory and Technology"

The advance and wide-spread use of computers and networks has brought about a cyberspace heretofore unknown to humankind. It has made the social structure flexible and promoted borderless economic activities, extensively widening the living space of people. Based on this trend, the 2008 Japan Prize will be awarded to a researcher who has made a significant contribution to the field of information communication theory and technology.

This includes theory of computation, algorithm, computer software, computer systems, computer architecture, human interface, Internet, search technology, information security, visualization technology, information theory, data compression, cryptology, coding theory, radio and optical communication systems, wireless communication systems, and quantum communication.

  Field II:  Life Science(Medicine)
  "Medical Genomics and Genetics"

Recent advances in genome science and molecular genetics that disclosed 3 billion nucleotides of human genome have led us to a better understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying various biological phenomena. Particularly, they have contributed to the discovery of genes responsible for or susceptible to various diseases as well as those related to efficacy or adverse reactions of drugs.

The Japan Prize for 2008 will be awarded to a scientist who made outstanding achievements in the field of medical genomics and genetics, including establishment of fundamental principle for genetic/genomic analysis, construction of basic infrastructure like genetic maps and genomic sequences, and development of essential technologies.

The Japan Prize

The Japan Prize is an international prize awarded to scientists and technologists who have made original and outstanding achievements in their fields and have contributed to the peace and prosperity of mankind. Each year, we designate two subject fields for the prize.

Each laureate receives a certificate of merit and a commemorative medal. A monetary award of fifty million Japanese yen (Japanese Yen 50,000,000) is awarded in each prize category.

The Science and Technology Foundation of Japan

The Science and Technology Foundation of Japan was established in May 1983, and the Government issued a cabinet endorsement in October of the same year. Presenting the Japan Prize is the Foundation's main activities. The Foundation is a non-profit organization under the supervision of the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

  Members of the 2008(24th) Japan Prize Fields Selection Committee
  "Information/Communications"

  Chairman: Shigeo Tsujii, President, Institute of Information Security

  Members:

   Norihisa Doi, Professor, Department of Information and System
    Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University

   Osamu Hirota, Professor and Director, Research Center for Quantum
    Information Science, Tamagawa University

   Yasuyoshi Inagaki, Professor and Dean, School of Information Science and
    Engineering, Aichi Prefectural University

   Kohichi Sakaniwa, Professor, Department of Communications and Integrated
    Systems, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of
    Technology


  "Life Science(Medicine)"

  Chairman:  Ichiro Kanazawa, President, National Center of Neurology and
   Psychiatry

  Members:

   Yo-ichi Nabeshima, Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto
    University

   Yusuke Nakamura, Director, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical
    Science, The University of Tokyo

   Takehiko Sasazuki, President, International Medical Center of Japan

   Naoyuki Taniguchi, Endowed Chair Professor, Research Institute for
    Microbial Diseases, Osaka University