"It feels like turning on a headlamp and groping my way through the dark without knowing if there is a mountain to aim for," said Kenso Soai, a 76-year-old professor emeritus at Tokyo University of Science, during a press conference on the night of October 7. Soai, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry this year, expressed his journey in pursuit of the mysteries related to the origin of life, stating, "I can't say it was without difficulties, but I enjoyed discovering new facts."
At the press conference held at the Kagurazaka campus of Tokyo University of Science at 10 p.m., Soai shared that he received the news of his award while shopping at a nearby supermarket. He expressed particular joy at being co-awarded with the renowned Henri Kagan, a 95-year-old professor emeritus at Paris-Saclay University. When asked if he expected the award, he humorously replied, "It may be presumptuous to say, but I thought no one could say anything against my receiving it," prompting laughter in the room.
After sharing his thoughts on the award, Soai quickly turned to discuss his research. He explained the structure of molecules by comparing them to left and right hands, even borrowing the hand of a person sitting next to him for illustration. Having worked at Tokyo University of Science for 36 years since joining as a lecturer in 1981, he expressed gratitude to his collaborators and students, stating, "I met very good people." When asked what he values in research, he emphasized, "Even if the desired results do not come out, I continue the experiments."
Major Japanese newspapers prominently featured Soai's award on their front pages, highlighting his research achievements, significance, and reactions from academia and his hometown. The Yomiuri Shimbun noted that Soai is the 31st individual from Japan to win a Nobel Prize, marking three consecutive years of Japanese Nobel laureates. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) pointed out that Soai is the 10th Japanese recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The Asahi Shimbun published an extra edition, distributing about 2,700 copies immediately after the announcement at locations such as Tokyo's Shimbashi Station.
Soai was recognized for providing insights into why molecules that make up living organisms are predominantly of one shape. Substances like amino acids have two mirror-image forms, similar to left and right hands that, when overlapped, do not align perfectly. Typically, without special methods in the lab, both forms are produced in equal amounts, but amino acids used in protein synthesis in living organisms are almost exclusively of the 'left-handed' variety. The reason for this preference in living organisms has long been a mystery.
Soai discovered the 'asymmetric self-catalytic reaction,' where molecules produced from a reaction act as catalysts to create more molecules of the same shape. He reported this finding in the British scientific journal Nature in 1995. As this reaction repeats, the initially slightly more abundant form increases exponentially, resulting in almost only one shape being produced. Co-awardee Kagan previously uncovered the 'nonlinear effect' in 1986, which paved the way for Soai's research.
The Yomiuri reported that the Nobel Prize committee praised the contributions of both scientists, stating they provided answers to chemical mysteries that have persisted for over a century. The ability to selectively produce the desired molecular form is crucial for ensuring the safety of pharmaceuticals and efficiently synthesizing chemicals, with this discovery leading to advancements in high-purity manufacturing techniques for medicines and fragrances. The Nikkei highlighted an example of Soai's reaction being applied in the synthesis of intermediates needed for the AIDS treatment drug efavirenz.
The Asahi noted that while Soai's reaction is an artificial process created in the lab and differs from reactions occurring in actual living organisms, it has ignited the enthusiasm of chemists seeking to understand the origins of life. Soai also encouraged younger researchers, stating, "Our achievements are not the final answer. More research is needed to understand life."
The academic community welcomed the long-awaited news of Soai's award. According to the Nikkei, Tsuneomi Kawasaki, a professor at Tokyo University of Science who has collaborated with Soai for over 20 years, described him as "a person who has walked the path of research" and expressed his joy, saying, "I hoped every year that this would be the year he would receive it."
Ryoji Noyori, a special professor at Nagoya University and a Nobel laureate in Chemistry in 2001, remarked to the Asahi that while some believe there must be technical significance or economic impact, he commended the recognition of remarkable achievements in pure basic research, referring to Soai as "a person who follows his own path."
Congratulations also poured in from Soai's hometown of Hiroshima. Chiho Goi, an associate professor at Hiroshima University, where Soai graduated from junior high school, stated, "Having a senior who is recognized globally is a great source of strength for the students." Koji Terao, the mayor of Soai's hometown in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, expressed, "He has given children dreams and hopes." A classmate from elementary and middle school, Hiromi Omori, 76, recalled how Soai would observe dragonflies resting and wonder, "Why is it sitting here?" Omori noted, "He had a perspective that was not typical for a child."
Meanwhile, major newspapers published editorials praising the significance of the award while expressing concerns about Japan's declining research capabilities. Both the Yomiuri and Nikkei pointed out that Japan's global ranking in the number of high-profile papers has dropped from fourth place two decades ago to 13th recently. The Yomiuri noted that while Japan has had the second-highest number of natural science Nobel laureates since the 2000s, most of these awards are for research conducted decades ago, criticizing the government for prioritizing funding for research that yields short-term results. They urged, "We must create an environment that allows for calm dedication to challenging research rather than fixating on immediate results."
The Nikkei called for improvements in the research environment for young researchers, beyond just increasing budgets, warning that research funding that demands immediate results could stifle talent.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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