The University of Osaka’s Historic First “Nobel Prize Concerto”

The University of Osaka’s Historic First “Nobel Prize Concerto”

The name of Distinguished Honorary Professor Shimon Sakaguchi is now etched into the history of science. For Professor Sakaguchi and the entire University of Osaka community, the news of the university’s first Nobel Prize marked the beginning of an unprecedented whirlwind. When the curtain rose with the announcement of the award on the evening of October 6, a torrent of congratulations, media requests, responses to related events, announcements both inside and outside the university, schedule adjustments, and preparations for the award ceremony followed... As Professor Sakaguchi stepped into the spotlight, faculty, staff, and many others across the university worked together in harmony to support him—creating what might be called a “Nobel Prize Concerto.” Here we look back on the two months leading up to the award ceremony from the perspective of those accompanying him behind the scenes.

October 6 (Mon.) –The Nobel Prize Announcement

The phone rang in Professor Sakaguchi’s laboratory. The long-rumored first notification from the Nobel Foundation really did come just moments before the public announcement.

At 6:30 p.m., when the award was announced via YouTube Live, the press conference venue at the Suita Campus Convention Center erupted with excitement. After a collective murmur of surprise from the waiting journalists and related attendees—including nine staff members who had happened to be touring the venue—the room quickly turned festive with applause and celebration. Meanwhile, a steady stream of congratulations poured in for Professor Sakaguchi, his smartwatch vibrating nonstop. Thanks to careful advance preparations, by around 7:00 p.m. a “Congratulations on the Award” banner had already been displayed at the Convention Center.

At 8:00 p.m., Professor Sakaguchi appeared and held a press conference alongside President Kumanogoh. “It is a tremendous honor and a delightful surprise,” he said. Nearly 100 people from about 20 media organizations filled the room with excitement. At the same time, social media across Japan was buzzing about a figure visible on the desk during the broadcast—Dr. Wani. ““Dr. Wani has actually been waiting at the press conference venue for this day for more than ten years,” joked a staff member from the Public Relations Division.

From just after 9:00 p.m. until nearly midnight, Professor Sakaguchi responded to a series of individual interviews and live television appearances. He finally headed home with his wife around midnight. Meanwhile, the phones in the Public Relations Division rang nonstop throughout the day.

October 7 (Tue.) – Morning Greetings: “Congratulations!”

At 8:00 a.m. on the first floor of the Administration Bureau Building, around 80 faculty members, staff, and students gathered to welcome Professor Sakaguchi with enthusiastic applause. After an exhausting day, the professor took a short nap in the President’s Office during lunchtime. In the afternoon, he held another press conference together with his wife and co-researcher, Professor Noriko Sakaguchi.

October 8 (Wed.) – A Visit from the Swedish Ambassador

Between media interviews, portrait photographs were taken in preparation for the award ceremony. The Ambassador of Sweden paid a congratulatory visit to the university. Meanwhile, UOsaka’s Creative Unit worked overnight to produce a new illustration: “Dr. Wani as a Nobel Prize Laureate.”

October 10 (Fri.) – Dr. Wani Shines Too

The week concluded with the release of a photo of Professor Sakaguchi together with Dr. Wani. According to staff in the Public Relations Division, it became “the most viral photo in UOsaka’s social media history.”

October 13 (Mon.) – First Post-Award Meeting with Professor Kitagawa

Professor Sakaguchi attended a reception party hosted by the Embassy of Sweden in Tokyo. There he met Professor Susumu Kitagawa of Kyoto University, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry—and, as it turns out, the same age.

October 16 (Thu.) – Celebration at IFReC

Researchers and staff at the Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), where Professor Sakaguchi is affiliated, gathered in large numbers to celebrate the award. A life-size panel of the professor made its first appearance. Although Professor Sakaguchi himself left early, participants enjoyed taking commemorative photos with the panel.

October 17 (Fri.) – The Sakaguchi Phenomenon

Fifteen life-size panels of Professor Sakaguchi were installed across the campus. Next to them, the tabloid-style Nobel Prize commemorative issue of Machikane! ran out in no time. That evening, Professor Sakaguchi appeared live on NHK Osaka’s television program Kansai Netsu Shisen.

October 23 (Thu.) – A TV Crew from Sweden

A Swedish television crew visited UOsaka to film a profile program that would air on the day of the Nobel Prize ceremony. At Professor Sakaguchi’s request for a “third place” setting, filming also took place at Tekijuku and Nakanoshima—symbolically bringing him face to face with Ogata Koan, the founder of Tekijuku.

October 28 (Tue.) – Suita City Mayor’s Special Award

Suita Mayor Keiji Goto and the city’s mascot character, Suitan, visited the university. Professor Sakaguchi received the Suita City Mayor’s Special Award, following the Mayor’s Award he received in 2015 when he won the Gairdner International Award. A moment that truly reflected UOsaka’s spirit: Live Locally, Grow Globally!

October 30 (Thu.) –31 (Fri.) – Visits to Key Institutions in Tokyo

Together with Professor Kitagawa of Kyoto University, he visited Yohei Matsumoto (Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) and Kimi Onoda (Minister of State for Economic Security, Science and Technology Policy, Space Policy, and Intellectual Property Strategy). During the meetings, he emphasized the importance of basic research and called for expanded support for researchers—particularly young scientists—and for science and technology overall.

The following day he also visited the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). They had lunch together at the newly opened HANDAI Tokyo Square, and later that afternoon he also visited the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED).

November 2 (Sun.) – A Discussion with Professor Ohsumi

In an interview organized by Chunichi Shimbun, Professor Sakaguchi spoke with Professor Yoshinori Ohsumi, recipient of the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. They talked about the appeal of basic research and changes that Professor Ohsumi has witnessed since winning the prize.

November 7 (Fri.) – Celebration in His Hometown of Nagahama

A celebration was held in front of Nagahama City Hall. Professor Sakaguchi walked in along a red carpet as 400 local residents gathered despite the chilly weather to celebrate his achievement. He shared an encouraging message with young people: “Take your time and pursue what sparks your curiosity.”

November 10 (Mon.) – A Dialogue with Professor Kitagawa at Kyoto University

Responding to requests from media organizations, a special conversation between the two 2025 Nobel laureates from the Kansai region was held at Kyoto University. Dr. Wani also traveled to Kyoto University and made a cheerful appearance on stage.

November 19 (Wed.) – “One-Day Study Abroad” at the School of Foreign Studies

Professor Sakaguchi joined a social gathering with students from the Swedish language major. In preparation for the upcoming Nobel Week, about 70 students and the professor explored elements of Swedish culture together. [→ Article: “The Deep Connection Between Foreign Languages and the Nobel Prize” (link in Japanese)]

November 25 (Wed.) Named Distinguished Honorary Professor

In a ceremony held in the President’s Office, Professor Sakaguchi was awarded the title of Distinguished Honorary Professor of the University of Osaka. He is the third recipient of this prestigious title, following Yoichiro Nambu in particle physics and Seiji Ogawa, developer of fMRI. The title recognizes exceptionally distinguished contributions to academia and society.

December 4 (Thu.) – Departure for Stockholm

Professor Sakaguchi departed from Itami Airport for Stockholm, accompanied by university staff, as members of the press and colleagues gathered to see him off. The long journey to Northern Europe was demanding, but accompanying staff fondly recall a relaxing salmon breakfast shared with the professor and his wife during the transit.

🏅 December 6 (Sat.) – Nobel Week Begins

At the Nobel Museum, Professor Sakaguchi signed the underside of a bistro chair. He also donated a signed illustration of regulatory T cells by manga artist Akane Shimizu, creator of Cells at Work!, along with two small rat figurines.

That afternoon, a press conference for the three laureates in Physiology or Medicine was held at the Karolinska Institute.

Meanwhile, international relations and public relations staff mistakenly waited outside in the cold, assuming the professor would enter through the front entrance.

His official guests, including co-researchers and family members, began arriving in Stockholm one after another.

🏅 December 7 (Sun.) – The Nobel Lecture

Professor Sakaguchi delivered his Nobel Lecture at the Karolinska Institute, a presentation he had meticulously prepared until the very last moment. His detailed explanation of the mechanisms of immune regulation received thunderous applause. “I’m relieved it went well,” he said afterward. [→ Article: Nobel Prize Lecture]

🏅December 8 (Mon.) Preparing for the Award Ceremony and Enjoying the Concert

Professor Sakaguchi attended a fitting for the formal attire he would wear at the Nobel Prize ceremony. When he first tried on the white shirt and tailcoat, the size didn’t quite fit—but adjustments were successfully made the following morning.

That evening, he attended the Nobel Prize Concert and was delighted to reunite with former members of his laboratory.

🏅 December 9 (Tue.) – Ceremony at the Japanese Embassy

The Japanese Embassy in Sweden hosted a ceremony honoring Professors Sakaguchi and Kitagawa. University staff were also invited and took the opportunity to promote UOsaka while wearing Dr. Wani hats.

🏅 December 10 (Wed.) – The Moment of Glory

The Nobel Prize award ceremony at the Stockholm Concert Hall. As His Majesty the King of Sweden presented Professor Sakaguchi with the medal and diploma, trumpets sounded triumphantly. Those who were unable to enter the venue gathered in a room at the Grand Hotel to watch the live broadcast together, sharing in the historic moment.

Later that evening, Professor Sakaguchi and his official guests attended the traditional Nobel Banquet at Stockholm City Hall.

(Meanwhile, back in Japan, commemorative cookies began selling at the UOsaka Co-op—and all 2,000 boxes sold out in a flash!)

(*This article originally appeared in UOsaka NewsLetter No. 94, February 2026.)