Akira Yoshino, this year's Nobel Prize winner in chemistry and honorary fellow of chemical maker Asahi Kasei Corp., told the press on Friday he would "feel a heavy responsibility, like giving up the Nobel Prize voluntarily, if a sustainable society is not realized in 10 or 20 years from now."
The 71-year-old scientist, who won the prize for his achievement in developing lithium-ion batteries, talked about the responsibility he feels as a Nobel Prize laureate, at a press conference held at the Japan National Press Club in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.
Regarding the award ceremony he attended on Dec. 10, Yoshino said, "I was touched when I received a medal from Swedish King [Carl XVI Gustaf] and the fanfare sounded."
Yoshino said he visited a local school during his visit to Sweden and met children who were concerned about the future, including the possible impacts of global warming. Recalling the experience, he said,
"Lithium-ion batteries are expected to contribute to solving environmental problems and I felt a huge responsibility.
"If an industry that can solve environmental problems were born in Japan, it would prevail in the world," Yoshino added, as a message to encourage businesses and researchers in Japan.
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