Exclusive interview with Professor Yamanaka who received the trophy for Millennium Technology Prize, World’s biggest technology award

Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, Director, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, received a trophy for the Millennium Technology Prize called the “Peak” statue, during a banquet at the Embassy of Finland in Tokyo on October 11.

Dr Yamanaka was celebrated at the event hosted by Ambassador Jari Gustafsson (left). Minister for International Development Heidi Hautala brought the compliments from the Government of Finland. Photo: Petri-Artturi AsikainenDr Yamanaka was celebrated at the event hosted by Ambassador Jari Gustafsson (left). Minister for International Development Heidi Hautala brought the compliments from the Government of Finland. Photo: Petri-Artturi Asikainen

Professor Shinya Yamanaka was awarded as a joint-winner of the Millennium Technology Prize in June in Helsinki; the other laureate was Linus Torvalds, the Finnish creator of Linux kernel. The Millennium Technology Prize is worth 1.2 million euro, making it the biggest technology award globally.

The scientist was celebrated at the event hosted by Ambassador Jari Gustafsson for winning two significant international prizes in 2012, the Millennium Technology Prize and the Nobel in Physiology or Medicine.

“It is obvious that your work on cell reprogramming has revolutionised our understanding of biological systems. Your work has inspired researchers all around the world. Allow me to congratulate you on your two outstanding awards this year,” were the words by Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen in a letter to congratulate Professor Yamanaka on winning the Nobel prize.

Dr. Jarl-Thure Eriksson, chairman of the International Governing Board of the Millennium Prize Foundation handed the trophy, a sculpture called “Peak”, to Professor Yamanaka. Minister for International Development Heidi Hautala brought the compliments from the Government of Finland.

The following is from the exclusive interview that Professor Yamanaka gave to the Embassy:

Embassy: “In an interview last summer you said your ‘current biggest concern is how we can secure sufficient funds to conduct research necessary to achieve our goals long-term.’ Do you think that winning major awards such as Nobel and Millennium will make it easier?”

Yamanaka: “I hope so. I am not as worried about the quantity of funding, but the quality of it. In Japan today funding money is too competitive and short-term. With the kind of funding, which is only for a few years at a time, it is hard to recruit talented researchers and guarantee results. This is a common problem for national universities in Japan.”

Embassy: “Are you especially worried about the funding in tumultuous economic times like we are facing now?”

Yamanaka: “Yes, funding is now even harder to find. But especially since the Great East Japan Earthquake I can’t complain about not getting enough money. Rebuilding Tohoku is essential and takes a lot of financial resources.”

Embassy: “Japan is facing tough times recovering from the 3/11 disaster. Do you think your success is helping Japanese people in gaining back self-confidence?”

Yamanaka: “I really hope so. I also wish that young people in Japan would start respecting researcher’s occupation more. This is very important in Japan. As we are a country with little natural resources, the intellectual resources is the best we have. In the United States I feel scientists are as respected as medical doctors, but in Japan it’s not so. I hope that would change.”

Embassy: “Your joint-winner of Millennium award, Linus Torvalds said he’ll use his 600.000 euro for his children’s education. Do you have any plans on how to use the prize money?”

Yamanaka: “I plan to put it to good use. Firstly I, too, would like to use it to finance the education for my two daughters, who are both going to a medical school. Secondly, I would like to use the prize money to support the work of my colleagues and students. Funding in Japan has many restrictions, so I’ll try to help them in that.”

Embassy: “Have you had any special connections with Finland and Finnish research before or after winning the Millennium prize?”

Yamanaka: “I’ve had collaboration with Finnish iPS cell researchers for about five years now. I’ve also had a Finnish student. I think Finland has great advantages in cell research, such as top-class gene bank. Also the language skills of Finnish researchers give them many opportunities. I’d like to do more collaboration with Finnish researchers in the future.”

Established in 2002, the Millennium Technology Prize is Finland's tribute to life-enhancing technological innovations. In 2004, the first award went to Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of World Wide Web (www). Dr. Shinya Yamanaka is already the second Japanese scientist to win the prize. Dr. Shuji Nakamura won the prize in 2006 for his LED-light innovations.