The Japan Academy (Japanese: 日本学士院, Nihon Gakushiin) is an honorary organisation and science academy founded in 1879 to bring together leading Japanese scholars with distinguished records of scientific achievements. The Academy is currently an extraordinary organ of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology with its headquarters located in Taito, Tokyo, Japan. Election to the Academy is considered the highest distinction a scholar can achieve, and members enjoy life tenure and an annual monetary stipend.

History In 1873, Meiroku-sha (Meiroku Society) was founded. The main people of Meiroku-sha involved in Meiroku-sha were from Kaiseijo (later transformed into University of Tokyo) and Keio Gijuku.

In an effort to replicate the institutional landscape found in many Western nations, the leaders of the Meiji government sought to create a national academy of scholars and scientists modelled to the British Royal Society.

In 1879, Nishi Amane was made the head of what was then called the Tokyo Academy.

In 1906, it was renamed the Imperial Academy, and in 1947 it was renamed the Japan Academy.

Prizes awarded The Imperial Prize and Japan Academy Prize are awarded to persons who have achieved notable research landmarks or who have authored outstanding academic papers or books. One of the Academy's most important functions involves conferring these prizes, which have been awarded annually since 1911. Since 1949, these prize award ceremonies have been graced by the presence of HIM the Emperor of Japan; and since 1990, both the Emperor and Empress have attended.Japan Academy: Activities

Japan Academy Prize From 1911 until 1947, the academy annually conferred the Imperial Prize of the Japan Academy (Gakushiin Onshi Shō). Amongst past winners are Hideyo Noguchi (1915)Kita, Atsushi. (2005). Dr. Noguchi's Journey: A Life of Medical Search and Discovery, p. 186. and Tasuku Honjo (1996).Tasuku Honjo: Curriculum vitae After 1947, the name of the award was changed to Japan Academy Prize (Gakushiin Shō).

Duke of Edinburgh Prize In 1987, HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh suggested that the Academy take responsibility for conferring the biennial Duke of Edinburgh Prize to a Japanese scientist with outstanding achievements in the area of wildlife protection and species preservation. In addition to this specific award, some 75 prizes and medals are associated with The Duke of Edinburgh.Dukes of the UK: Prizes

Japan Academy Medal Since 2004, the Academy has annually conferred the Japan Academy Medal.

Timeline

The early-Meiji era Tokyo Academy was institutionally re-organized into an Imperial Academy in 1906; and this institution was renamed the Japan Academy in 1947:Japan Academy: History 1879 The Tokyo Academy established; Tokyo Academy Magazine (Vol. 1, No. 1). 1890 Tokyo Academy Statute promulgated. 1895 Honorary Membership established. 1906 Statute of the Imperial Academy promulgated; joined Internationale Assoziation der Akademien (IAA). 1911 Imperial Prize and Imperial Academy Prize established; first award ceremony. 1912 Proceedings of the Imperial Academy (Vol. 1, No. 1). 1919 Imperial Academy joined Union Académique Internationale (UAI). 1925 Statute of the Imperial Academy amended (increased membership). 1942 Transactions of the Imperial Academy (Vol. 1, No. 1). 1947 Imperial Academy renamed Japan Academy. 1949 Japan Academy institutionally linked to Science Council of Japan. 1956 Law of the Japan Academy promulgated; Japan Academy de-linked from Science Council of Japan. 1971 Exchange program with foreign academies started. 1983 Visiting program of Honorary Members started. 1984 First public lecture meeting was held. 1987 Duke of Edinburgh Prize was adopted. 2004 Japan Academy Medal established.

President

President of the Tokyo Academy No.NameStart of TermEnd of TermUniversity1.Fukuzawa Yukichi18791879Keio Gijuku2.Nishi Amane18791880Yōrōkan3.Katō Hiroyuki18801882University of Tokyo4.Nishi Amane18821886Yōrōkan5.Katō Hiroyuki18861895University of Tokyo6.Hosokawa Junjirō18951897Bunbukan7.Katō Hiroyuki18971906University of Tokyo

President of the Imperial Academy No.NameStart of TermEnd of TermUniversity8.Katō Hiroyuki19061909University of Tokyo9.Kikuchi Dairoku19091917University of Tokyo10.Hozumi Nobushige19171925University of Tokyo11.Okano Keijirō19251925University of Tokyo12.Sakurai Jōzi19251939University of Tokyo13.Hantaro Nagaoka19391948University of Tokyo

President of the Japan Academy No.NameStart of TermEnd of TermUniversity14.Yamada Saburō19481961University of Tokyo15.Shibata Yuzi19611970University of Tokyo16.Shigeru Nambara19701974University of Tokyo17.Kiyoo Wadati19741980University of Tokyo18.Hiromi Arisawa19801986University of Tokyo19.Kurokawa Toshio19861988Tohoku University20.Wakimura Yoshitarō19881994University of Tokyo21.Yoshio Fujita19942000University of Tokyo22.Ichiko Teizi20002001University of Tokyo23.Nagakura Saburō20012007University of Tokyo24.Kubo Masaaki20072013University of Tokyo25.Takashi Sugimura20132016University of Tokyo26.Hiroshi Shiono20162019University of Tokyo27.Hiroo Imura20192022Kyoto University28.Takeshi Sasaki20222025University of Tokyo29.Ryōji Noyori2025PresentKyoto University

Counterparts in other countries Royal Society of London British Academy Romanian Academy Hungarian Academy of Sciences Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Academy of Sciences, Institute of France Royal Society of Canada National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Korea Union of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities

Notes

References Kita, Atsushi. (2005). Dr. Noguchi's Journey: A Life of Medical Search and Discovery (tr., Peter Durfee). Tokyo: Kodansha. (cloth)

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