Japan
Toray Science Foundation (TSF)
The Award Presentation of TSF (03/17/2008)

On March 17, the Award Presentation of TSF took place at the Japan Industry Club in Tokyo with over 200 guests and participants present.

Dr. K. Ohtaka and Dr. K. Tanaka, who won Toray Science and Technology prizes, and four school teachers, who were awarded Toray Science Education prizes including the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award, received testimonials together with medals and prize money. A total of 130 million yen in Toray Science and Technology Grants was awarded to eleven successful candidates.

At the presentation, Dr. K. Maeda, President of TSF and Honorary Chairman of Toray Industries, Inc., addressed a speech to the audience in which he emphasized the importance of basic research and development into superior human resources in the field of science and technology, saying, “It is the only way for Japan, a nation with no natural resources, to survive and keep sustainable growth in today's severe global economic environment by grasping demands of the world market through creating high performance and quality of products and technologies, amidst rising oil prices, negative impact of financial subprime loan issues, and the increasing influence of Chinese and Middle Eastern Sovereign Wealth Fund. In order to realize this, the Japanese government should aim at establishing Japan as a country which is based on inventions and the development of scientific technology. In this sense, there has never been a greater need for a drive towards fostering superior researchers into science and technology, and developing pioneering technologies based on fundamental research.”

(By Junko Karube, Head of General Administration Office)