UOsaka Figures

Many individuals related to The University of Osaka
have made various impacts both in Japan and the world.

YUKAWA Hideki

The first Japanese Nobel Prize laureate, Dr. Yukawa, served as an associate professor at The University of Osaka from 1933 to 1939. In 1949, he won the Nobel Prize in Physics for having theoretically predicted the presence and role of mesons in 1935.

(Photos courtesy of: The University of Osaka Yukawa Memorial)

The University of Osaka-Related Prize Winners

Nobel: Prize

YUKAWA Hideki: won the 1949 Nobel Prize in Physics for his research regarding theoretical prediction of mesons performed at The University of Osaka in 1935.

Lasker: Award

HANAFUSA Hidesaburo: won the Lasker Award for demonstrating how RNA tumor viruses cause cancer, and elucidating their role in combining, rescuing and maintaining oncogenes in the viral genome in 1982.

Gairdner: International Award

AKIRA Shizuo: won the Gairdner International Award for his discovery of proteins playing a key role in innate immunity in 2011.

SAKAGUCHI Shimon: won the Gairdner International Award for his discovery of regulatory T cells, characterization of their role in immunity, and application to the treatment of autoimmune diseases and cancer in 2015.

Wolf: Prize

HAYAISHI Osamu: won the Wolf Prize for his discovery of the oxygenase enzymes and elucidation of their structure and biological importance in 1986.

Crafoord: Prize

KISHIMOTO Tadamitsu & HIRANO Toshio: won the Crafoord Prize for their pioneering work in isolating interleukins, determining their properties, and exploring their role in the onset of inflammatory diseases in 2009.

SAKAGUCHI Shimon: won the Crafoord Prize for his discoveries relating to regulatory T cells, which counteract harmful immune reactions in arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.

Japan: Prize

KISHIMOTO Tadamitsu & HIRANO Toshio: won the Japan Prize for their discovery of interleukin-6 and its applications in the treatment of diseases in 2011.

Related links

Alumnae & Alumni

MORITA Akio

Co-founder of Sony Corporation: Mr. Morita graduated from the School of Science in 1944 and co-founded Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo (currently Sony Corporation) in 1946.

TEZUKA Osamu

Cartoonist, Animator: Dr. Tezuka obtained his medical degree from The University of Osaka; however, despite being qualified as a medical doctor, never practiced medicine and instead became one of the most prolific and famous manga artists ever. His masterpieces include titles such as Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion, and Black Jack.

TezukaOsamu.net

SAJI Keizo

Former Chairman, Suntory Brewing Company: Mr. Saji graduated from the School of Science, Osaka Imperial University. He also served as a chairman of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry and was engaged in many cultural projects.

KUMON Toru

Mathematics Educator: Mr. Kumon graduated from the School of Science, Osaka Imperial University. He was a mathematics educator and founder of the Kumon Center.

Dr. Wani

Dr. Wani is the official UOsaka mascot character.
As you can see, Dr. Wani is indeed a crocodile, as wani means crocodile in Japanese.

But why?: Some 50 years ago, Crocodile fossils were found at the construction site of the UOsaka Science Building on the Toyonaka Campus. So this bright, cheerful crocodile mascot is a based on both the crocodile fossils found at UOsaka and the bright, cheerful students of The University of Osaka.

Dr. Wani's webpage

He often shows up to events on the UOsaka campuses,
so keep an eye out for him!

Your browser does not support this website's features. Please use the latest version of these browsers: Firefox, Chrome, or Internet Explorer
To download the latest browser versions, please click the links below:

UOsaka Figures

Many individuals related to The University of Osakahave made various impacts both in Japan and the world.

Many individuals related to The University of Osaka
have made various impacts both in Japan and the world.