The Japan Academy

is an honorary organization founded in 1879 to bring together leading Japanese scholars with distinguished records of scientific achievements. The Academy is currently organization attached to the Ministry of Education; and the organization's headquarters located in Ueno Park, 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 an effort to replicate the institutional landscape found in many Western nations, the leaders of the Meiji government sought to create national academy of scholars and scientists modelled to the British Royal 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: [http://www.japan-acad.go.jp/english/activ.htm Activities] ]

Imperial Prize
Since 1911, the academy has 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: [http://www2.mfour.med.kyoto-u.ac.jp/E_CV.htm Curriculum vitae] ]

Japan Academy Prize
Since 1911, the Academy has annually conferred the Imperial Academy Prize. After 1947, the name of the award was changed to Japan Academy Prize ("Gakushiin Shō"). [see above] ]

Duke of Edinburgh Prize
In 1987, HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh suggested that the Academy take assume the 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. [see above] ] In addition to this specific award, some 75 prizes and medals are associated with The Duke of Edinburgh. [Dukes of the UK: [http://www.ukdukes.co.uk/the_dukes/the_duke_of_edinburgh/ Prizes] ]

Japan Academy Medal
Since 2004, the Academy has annually conferred the Japan Academy Medal. [see above] ]

Timeline

The early-Meiji era Tokyo Academy was institutionally re-organized into an Imperial Academy in 1906; and this institution was re-named the Japan Academy in 1947:Japan Academy: [http://www.japan-acad.go.jp/english/history.htm History] ]
* 1879 The Tokyo Academy established; "Tokyo Academy Magazine" (Vol. 1, No. 1). [see above] ]
* 1890 Tokyo Academy Statute promulgated. [see above] ]
* 1895 Honorary Membership established. [see above] ]
* 1906 Statute of the Imperial Academy promulgated; joined "Internationale Assoziation der Akademien" (IAA). [see above] ]
* 1911 Imperial Prize and Imperial Academy Prize established; first award ceremony. [see above] ]
* 1912 "Proceedings of the Imperial Academy" (Vol. 1, No. 1). [see above] ]
* 1919 Imperial Academy joined Union Académique Internationale (UAI). [see above] ]
* 1925 Statute of the Imperial Academy amended (increased membership). [see above] ]
* 1942 "Transactions of the Imperial Academy" (Vol. 1, No. 1). [see above] ]
* 1947 Imperial Academy renamed Japan Academy. [see above] ]
* 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. [see above] ]
* 1971 Exchange program with foreign academies started. [see above] ]
* 1983 Visiting program of Honorary Members started. [see above] ]
* 1984 First public lecture meeting was held. [see above] ]
* 1987 Duke of Edinburgh Prize was adopted. [see above] ]
* 2004 Japan Academy Medal established. [see above] ]

Counterparts in other countries

* Royal Society of London (since 1971)
* British Academy (since 1972)
* Romanian Academy (since 1976)
* Hungarian Academy of Sciences (since 1976)
* Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (since 1980)
* Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (since 1980)
* Academy of Sciences, Institute of France (since 1994)
* Royal Society of Canada (since 1995)
* National Academy of Sciences, Republic of Korea (since 1998)
* Union of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities (since 2005)

Notes

References

* Kita, Atsushi. (2005). [http://books.google.com/books?id=BpLSkxTg_o8C&dq=hideyo+noguchi+and+kita&client=firefox-a "Dr. Noguchi's Journey: A Life of Medical Search and Discovery"] (tr., Peter Durfee). Tokyo: Kodansha. 10-ISBN 4-770-02355-3; 13-ISBN 978-4-770-02355-1 (cloth)

External links

* [http://www.japan-acad.go.jp/e_index.htm Official website]