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.
OU Figures
Many individuals related to Osaka University
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 Osaka University 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: Osaka University Yukawa Memorial)
Osaka University-Related Prize Winners
- Nobel
- Prize
- YUKAWA Hideki
- won the 1949 Nobel Prize in Physics for his research regarding theoretical prediction of mesons performed at Osaka University 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.
Alumnae & Alumni
TEZUKA Osamu
- Cartoonist, Animator
- Dr. Tezuka obtained his medical degree from Osaka University; 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.
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 OU 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 OU Science Building on the Toyonaka Campus. So this bright, cheerful crocodile mascot is a based on both the crocodile fossils found at OU and the bright, cheerful students of Osaka University.
- Dr. Wani's webpage [in Japanese]
He often shows up to events on the OU campuses,
so keep an eye out for him!
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