UOsaka researchers receive awards in the 2026 Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology!

At the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), individuals who have achieved outstanding results in research and development or in promoting public understanding of science and technology are honored through the “Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.” MEXT awards the following prizes:。

○ Awards for Science and Technology (in Development, Research, Science and Technology Promotion, Technology, and Public Understanding Promotion categories)
○ Young Scientists' Award
○ Outstanding Support for Research Award (in Research and Development Management, Advanced Technical Support categories)
○ Award for Creativity

This year, from the University of Osaka, following members received awards.



Awards for Science and Technology
<Research Category>

■ “Research on Geometry Relates to Optimal Transport and Optimization”
OHTA Shin-ichi (Professor, Graduate School of Science, Distinguished Professor, the University of Osaka)


<Public Understanding Promotion Category>

■ “Promoting Understanding of Education on Future Possibilities through High School–University Collaboration”
　　KURASHIKI Tetsusei (Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Director, Center for Future Innovation, the University of Osaka)


■ “Promoting Understanding of Education on Future Possibilities through High School–University Collaboration”
　　WAKAMOTO Kazuhito (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Osaka)




The Young Scientists’ Award
■“Research on Nucleic Acid Chemistry that Contributes to Drug Discovery Based on Medium-Sized Oligonucleotides”
　　OSAWA Takashi (Lecturer, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the University of Osaka)


■ “Research on Designing Electrochemical Reaction Fields Using Operando Analysis”）
　　KATAYAMA Yu (Associate Professor, SANKEN, the University of Osaka)


■ “Research on Modeling and Predicting Gene Expression Regulation Using Single-Cell Measurements”
　KAMIMOTO Kenji (Professor, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, the University of Osaka)


■ “Research on the Exploration of Thin-Film Interfacial Properties in Chalcogenide Materials”
　SHIOGAI Junichi (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Science, the University of Osaka)


■ “Research on Diverse Life Strategies in Photosynthetic Organisms”
　 SHIMAKAWA Ginga (Professor, Graduate School of Science, the University of Osaka)


■ “Resarch on Bio-Inspired and Hybrid Polymer Materials Based on Molecular Recognition”
NAKAHATA Masaki (Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Science, the University of Osaka)


■ “Research on Lensless Imaging Based on the Fusion of Optics and Informatics”
NAKAMURA Tomoya, (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering Science, the University of Osaka)


■ “Research on the Functional Diversification of Transcription Factors that Regulate Plant Development”
FURUYA Tomoyuki (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Science, the University of Osaka)


■ “Mechanical Studies Contribute to the Functional Emergence of Multicellular Tissues”
MATSUZAKI Takahisa (Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Osaka)


■ “Research on Biological Function Assessment and Biomedical Engineering Applications through Understanding of Complex Fluids”
MATSUNAGA Daiki, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Engineering Science, the University of Osaka)


■ “Research on the Spatiotemporal Control of Immune Systems Responsible for Maintaining Liver Homeostasis”
MIYAMOTO Yu (Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, the University of Osaka)



Outstanding Support for Research Award
<Research and Development Management Category>

■ “Contribution to Enhancing Research Competitiveness through the Integration of URA and IR Activities”
MURAKI Michiko (Professor, Office of Management and Planning, the University of Osaka)

■ “Contribution to Enhancing Research Competitiveness through the Integration of URA and IR Activities”
EMURA Katsuji (Professor, Office of Management and Planning, the University of Osaka)


■ “Contribution to Enhancing Research Competitiveness through the Integration of URA and IR Activities”
TAKANO Makoto (Professor, Office of Management and Planning, the University of Osaka)

■ “Contribution to Enhancing Research Competitiveness through the Integration of URA and IR Activities”
OGURA Takayuki (Head, Research Planning Division, Department of Research Promotion, the University of Osaka)

■ “Contribution to Enhancing Research Competitiveness through the Integration of URA and IR Activities”
TAKAHAMA Kazushi (Specialist, Strategic Planning Team, Research Council, the University of Osaka)

■“Contribution to the Development of Human Resources Responsible for Research Management in the Humanities and Social Sciences in Japan”
KAWAHITO Yoshie (Specially Appointed Associate Professor, Research Center on Ethical, Legal and Social Issue, the University of Osaka)

*Job titles and affiliated institutions reflecting current positions are as of the date of conferment


2026 Commendations for Science and Technology (MEXT) (link in Japanese)