Japan Academy
The Japan Academy (日本学士院 Nippon gakushiin) is an honorary organization founded in 1879 to bring together leading Japanese scholars with distinguished records of scientific achievements. The Academy is currently organization attached to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology; and the organization's headquarters located in Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan. Election to the Academy is considered the highest distinction a scholar can achieve, and members enjoy life tenure and an annual monetary stipend.
History
In an effort to replicate the institutional landscape found in many Western nations, the leaders of the Meiji government sought to create a national academy of scholars and scientists modelled to the British Royal Academy. In 1879, Nishi Amane was made the head of what was then called the Tokyo Academy.
Prizes awarded
The Imperial Prize and Japan Academy Prize are awarded to persons who have achieved notable research landmarks or who have authored outstanding academic papers or books. One of the Academy's most important functions involves conferring these prizes, which have been awarded annually since 1911. Since 1949, these prize award ceremonies have been graced by the presence of HIM the Emperor of Japan; and since 1990, both the Emperor and Empress have attended.[1]
Japan Academy Prize
From 1911 until 1947, the academy annually conferred the Imperial Prize of the Japan Academy (Gakushiin Onshi Shō). Amongst past winners are Hideyo Noguchi (1915)[2] and Tasuku Honjo (1996).[3] After 1947, the name of the award was changed to Japan Academy Prize (Gakushiin Shō).[1]
Duke of Edinburgh Prize
In 1987, HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh suggested that the Academy take assume the responsibility for conferring the biennial Duke of Edinburgh Prize to a Japanese scientist with outstanding achievements in the area of wildlife protection and species preservation.[1] In addition to this specific award, some 75 prizes and medals are associated with The Duke of Edinburgh.[4]
Japan Academy Medal
Since 2004, the Academy has annually conferred the Japan Academy Medal.[1]
Timeline
The early-Meiji era Tokyo Academy was institutionally re-organized into an Imperial Academy in 1906; and this institution was renamed the Japan Academy in 1947:[5]
- 1879 The Tokyo Academy established; Tokyo Academy Magazine (Vol. 1, No. 1).[5]
- 1890 Tokyo Academy Statute promulgated.[5]
- 1895 Honorary Membership established.[5]
- 1906 Statute of the Imperial Academy promulgated; joined Internationale Assoziation der Akademien (IAA).[5]
- 1911 Imperial Prize and Imperial Academy Prize established; first award ceremony.[5]
- 1912 Proceedings of the Imperial Academy (Vol. 1, No. 1).[5]
- 1919 Imperial Academy joined Union Académique Internationale (UAI).[5]
- 1925 Statute of the Imperial Academy amended (increased membership).[5]
- 1942 Transactions of the Imperial Academy (Vol. 1, No. 1).[5]
- 1947 Imperial Academy renamed Japan Academy.[5]
- 1949 Japan Academy institutionally linked to Science Council of Japan.
- 1956 Law of the Japan Academy promulgated; Japan Academy de-linked from Science Council of Japan.[5]
- 1971 Exchange program with foreign academies started.[5]
- 1983 Visiting program of Honorary Members started.[5]
- 1984 First public lecture meeting was held.[5]
- 1987 Duke of Edinburgh Prize was adopted.[5]
- 2004 Japan Academy Medal established.[5]
President
President of the Tokyo Academy
| No. | Name | Start of Term | End of Term | University |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Fukuzawa Yukichi | 1879 | 1879 | Keio University |
| 2. | Nishi Amane | 1879 | 1880 | Yōrōkan |
| 3. | Katō Hiroyuki | 1880 | 1882 | University of Tokyo |
| 4. | Nishi Amane | 1882 | 1886 | Yōrōkan |
| 5. | Katō Hiroyuki | 1886 | 1895 | University of Tokyo |
| 6. | Hosokawa Jyunzirō | 1895 | 1897 | Bunbukan |
| 7. | Katō Hiroyuki | 1897 | 1906 | University of Tokyo |
President of the Imperial Academy
| No. | Name | Start of Term | End of Term | University |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8. | Katō Hiroyuki | 1906 | 1909 | University of Tokyo |
| 9. | Kikuchi Dairoku | 1909 | 1917 | University of Tokyo |
| 10. | Hozumi Nobushige | 1917 | 1925 | University of Tokyo |
| 11. | Okano Keizirō | 1925 | 1925 | University of Tokyo |
| 12. | Sakurai Jyōzi | 1925 | 1939 | University of Tokyo |
| 13. | Hantaro Nagaoka | 1939 | 1948 | University of Tokyo |
President of the Japan Academy
| No. | Name | Start of Term | End of Term | University |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14. | Yamada Saburō | 1948 | 1961 | University of Tokyo |
| 15. | Shibata Yuzi | 1961 | 1970 | University of Tokyo |
| 16. | Nanbara Shigeru | 1970 | 1974 | University of Tokyo |
| 17. | Kiyoo Wadati | 1974 | 1980 | University of Tokyo |
| 18. | Arisawa Hiromi | 1980 | 1986 | University of Tokyo |
| 19. | Kurokawa Toshio | 1986 | 1988 | Tohoku University |
| 20. | Wakimura Yoshitarō | 1988 | 1994 | University of Tokyo |
| 21. | Fuzita Yoshio | 1994 | 2000 | University of Tokyo |
| 22. | Ichiko Teizi | 2000 | 2001 | University of Tokyo |
| 23. | Nagakura Saburō | 2001 | 2007 | University of Tokyo |
| 24. | Kubo Masaaki | 2007 | 2013 | University of Tokyo |
| 25. | Takashi Sugimura | 2013 | Present | University of Tokyo |
Counterparts in other countries
- Royal Society of London (since 1971)
- British Academy (since 1972)
- Romanian Academy (since 1976)
- Hungarian Academy of Sciences (since 1976)
- Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (since 1980)
- Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (since 1980)
- Academy of Sciences, Institute of France (since 1994)
- Royal Society of Canada (since 1995)
- National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Korea (since 1998)
- Union of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities (since 2005)
Notes
References
- Kita, Atsushi. (2005). Dr. Noguchi's Journey: A Life of Medical Search and Discovery (tr., Peter Durfee). Tokyo: Kodansha. ISBN 978-4-7700-2355-1 (cloth)