The 2021 Kyoto Prize Laureates Are Here!

On June 18, the Inamori Foundation announced the 2021 recipients of its Kyoto Prize, Japan’s highest private award for global achievement, in the categories of Advanced Technology, Basic Sciences, and Arts and Philosophy. 

Each laureate will receive a diploma, a 20-karat gold medal, and a monetary award of 100 million yen (about US$907,000) this autumn. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 laureates will not convene in person for traditional Kyoto Prize ceremonies in Japan, but will give commemorative lectures online. They are expected to convene in March 2022 for the 21st annual Kyoto Prize Symposium in San Diego, Calif., and in May 2022 for the Kyoto Prize at Oxford events in Oxford, UK.

For complete details visit: The 2021 Kyoto Prize Website

Andrew Chi-Chih Yao

Computer Scientist

Dean, Institute for Interdisciplinary Information Sciences, Tsinghua University

In Advanced Technology, the 2021 Kyoto Prize laureate is Computer Scientist, Andrew Chi-Chih Yao, Ph.D., Dean of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Information Sciences at Tsinghua University. Dr. Yao created new trends in computer science and made a great contribution to cutting-edge research in diverse areas, including security, secure computing, and quantum computation, by establishing innovative fundamental theories for computation and communication. His achievements continue to influence current real-world challenges in such areas as security, secure computing, and big data processing.Andrew Chi-Chih Yao created new trends in computer science and made a great contribution to cutting-edge research in various areas, especially in security, secure computing, and quantum computation through establishing innovative fundamental theories for computation and communication. His achievements are continuing to influence current real-world problems such as security, secure computing, and big data processing.

Robert G. Roeder

Biocheimst & Molecular Biologist

Arnold and Mabel Beckman Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Rockefeller University

In Basic Sciences, the 2021 Kyoto Prize laureate is Biochemist and Molecular Biologist Robert G. Roeder, Ph.D., Arnold and Mabel Beckman Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at The Rockefeller University. Dr. Roeder has revealed the principle of the regulatory mechanism of gene transcription in eukaryotes through more than 50 years of research, by identifying the functions of a series of factors — including three distinct RNA polymerases, basic transcription factors, one of the first gene-specific factors, and regulators in transcription from chromatin. Through his achievements, he has made significant contributions to the development of the life sciences.

Bruno Latour

Philosopher

Professor Emeritus, Paris Institute of Political Studies

In Arts and Philosophy, the 2021 Kyoto Prize laureate is Philosopher Bruno Latour, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at the Paris Institute of Political Studies. Dr. Latour has revolutionized the conventional view of science by treating nature, humans, laboratory equipment, and other entities as equal actors, and describing technoscience as the hybrid network of these actors. In re-examining “modernity” based on the dualism of nature and society, Dr. Latour’s philosophy has become influential across disciplines, involving multifaceted activities including proposals relating to global environmental issues.