On March 14, 2019, the Toray Science Foundation Presentation Ceremony for 2018 was held solemnly with some 170 guests and related officials at the Industry Club of Japan in Tokyo, Japan. At the ceremony, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan as well as the President of the Japan Academy offered their congratulations to the winners.
The Toray Science and Technology Prize winners, Dr. Eiji Yashima, Professor of Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, and Dr. Hitoshi Kuninaka, Director General of Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the teachers receiving the Toray Science Education Prize including the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award were presented the respective certificates of merit, medals and prize money. The 10 recipients of Toray Science and Technology Grants together received a 130 million yen fund.
"Currently, Japan is facing a pile of social issues such as falling birthrate and ageing and declining of population. For our nation, which is poor in natural resources, to continue growing its economy, it is indispensable to lead the world with science and technology innovation," said Akihiro Nikkaku, President of Toray Science Foundation and Toray Industries, Inc., in his speech. "To this end, the importance of fundamental research to deliver outstanding success in science and technology is increasing more than ever. Toray Science Foundation will continue to contribute to the development and promotion of basic science and science education in Japan through its research grant program and commendation of researchers and teachers."
