Japanese scientist Soai Kenso has become one of two winners of this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said it has decided to award the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Henri B. Kagan and Soai Kenso for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.
The academy explained that some molecules have mirror images. But in some situations, like in pharmaceuticals, scientists may only want one side. That is common in nature, but could not be reproduced in a lab until Soai discovered how to form just one half of the mirror image. The academy says Soai is the first to accomplish that formation.
76-year-old Soai was born in Hiroshima and now serves as professor emeritus at the Tokyo University of Science. He joined the ceremony by phone.
Soai said: “I’m very excited to receive the very nice news about Nobel Prize. Of course, this is the most exciting day, one of the most exciting days in my life.” As for where he was when he got the news, Soai said, “I was out for shopping nearby my house.”
This is the third straight year with a Nobel Prize winner from Japan. Soai is the 31st Japanese individual to win one of the awards. The number includes those who were born and educated in Japan and later received US citizenship.
Soai grateful for recognition
Soai met reporters at Tokyo University of Science late Wednesday.
He appeared at the news conference venue wearing a suit and accepted a bouquet of flowers with a smile.
Addressing reporters, Soai said he was very grateful for the recognition and overjoyed that he had shared the prize with French chemist Henri B. Kagan.
He said he could not have made the discovery that led to his being honored without the help of university faculty and students.
Soai said he is extremely gratified that the announcement of the prizewinners has raised awareness of their field of research and helped clarify its context.
He said, “Although I can’t say I didn’t face any struggles, I was never distressed because I was able to make new discoveries, which was a process I enjoyed and found moving.”
He said he carried out his research without knowing whether it would produce the result he wanted.
He added that the significance of his discovery is not fully understood yet, and “there must still be many fascinating things” to emerge.
He said he hopes to contribute to his field of research “in any way I can.”
Source: www3.nhk.or.jp
