Akira Yoshino, 71, an honorary fellow of Asahi Kasei Corp., spoke to The Yomiuri Shimbun on Thursday, a day after he won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. "As a Nobel laureate from the industrial sector, I want to be a flag-bearer for Japan," Yoshino said.
Yoshino also talked about his impressions of the award. "I was so busy yesterday that I couldn't feel it," he said. "Looking at the front page of each newspaper this morning, I realized that 'Oh, it was true.'"
This is the first Nobel Prize for chemistry won by a researcher from a Japanese company since 2002, when Shimadzu Corp. Senior Fellow Koichi Tanaka, 60, received the honor.
Yoshino's research has supported progress in information technology, including the spread of notebook computers, by developing lithium-ion batteries. Yoshino said he was proud of his achievements, which led from research to practical application. "The industry first succeeds in research and spreads its products," Yoshino said. "As a result, it changes the world, and that's the best part."
"Probably, I think each word I say has more weight than ever," Yoshino said. "What should university education be like in the future, and what should industry be like? I would like to convey these messages through what I say."
He added, "It would be exaggerating to speak of leading Japan, but I think I can be a standard bearer."
For young researchers and children, Yoshino said: "The world is changing at this time when we are faced with the major issue of global environmental problems. If you could develop a technology to solve that problem, you will definitely win the next Nobel Prize. Now is the best time to take on the challenge. I want them to give it a try without fear of risk."
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
