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Commemorative celebration held for the Distinguished Professor AKIRA Shizuo's Japan Prize Award
On July 7, 2026, a commemorative celebration was held at RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka to honor Distinguished Professor AKIRA Shizuo of the University of Osaka on his receipt of the Japan Prize. Approximately 200 guests from both within and outside UOsaka, including individuals who have close ties with Professor AKIRA, attended the event, making it a grand celebration.
The event opened with remarks from UOsaka President KUMANOGOH Atsushi, followed by a congratulatory message delivered by Director-General FUCHIGAMI Takashi of the Research Promotion Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). Professor AKIRA also received congratulatory video messages from several distinguished international researchers who have close ties with him: Professor Ruslan Medzhitov and Professor Akiko Iwasaki (Yale University), Professor Gunther Hartmann (University of Bonn), Professor Gabriel Núñez (University of Michigan), Professor Jules Hoffmann (University of Strasbourg), and Professor Bruce Beutler (University of Texas).
Opening remarks by President KUMANOGOH
Congratulatory remarks by Director-General FUCHIGAMI, MEXT
Video message from Professor Gunther Hartmann (University of Bonn)
The ceremony continued with the presentation of commemorative gifts and bouquets, followed by a speech of appreciation from Professor AKIRA.
Presentation of a Commemorative Gift (from left: FUJIMOTO Koji, Office Manager of the Center for Advanced Modalities and DDS, The University of Osaka; Distinguished Professor AKIRA; and TAKEDA Kiyoshi, Director of the Immunology Frontier Research Center [IFReC]). The gift was a plush toy of UOsaka mascot Dr. Wani
Remarks of Appreciation by Professor AKIRA
Following a toast proposed by NAKAGAMA Hitoshi, President of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), the participants enjoyed a time of conversation and fellowship in a warm and friendly atmosphere throughout the reception. Finally, former President KISHIMOTO Tadamitsu offered closing remarks, bringing the celebration to a successful close.
Toast by President NAKAGAMA of AMED
Closing Remarks by Former President KISHIMOTO
〈Related Link〉
Celebrating Distinguished Professor AKIRA Shizuo, Winner of the 2026 Japan Prize
https://www.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/guide/honors/japanprize2026