Announcement of the 2026 Kyoto Prize laureates
The Kyoto Prize 2026 goes to a chemist, marine microbiologist and a multimedia artist.
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Kyoto/London – The Inamori Foundation, established in 1984 by Kyocera founder Dr Kazuo Inamori, is pleased to announce the laureates of the 2026 Kyoto Prize, an international award presented to individuals who have contributed significantly to the scientific, cultural, and spiritual betterment of humankind.
Each laureate will receive a diploma, the Kyoto Prize medal (20K gold), and prize money of 100 million yen (currently approx. €539,000). This year’s Prize goes to the following three individuals: Tsutomu Miyasaka, Chemist and Project Professor at School of Engineering at Toin University of Yokohama, Japan and Specially Appointed Professor at Waseda University, Japan, Farooq Azam, Marine Microbiologist and Emeritus Professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at University of California, San Diego, USA, as well as Laurie Anderson, American Multimedia Artist.
Kyoto Prize Laureates 2026
Advanced technology: Tsutomu Miyasaka
Tsutomu Miyasaka first proposed the novel concept of perovskite solar cells, with their lightweight, flexible nature offering a vision for next-generation power sources that overturn conventional assumptions. His research efforts have focused on addressing challenges such as reducing environmental impact from lead content and improving operational lifespan. His work continues to exert a major influence on the solution of global energy issues moving forward.
Basic sciences: Farooq Azam
Farooq Azam proposed the “microbial loop” concept based on his findings that dissolved organic carbon, previously assumed to be lost from the marine food web, is instead recycled by bacteria and protists. Moreover, he revealed the significant roles of microorganisms in the global biogeochemical cycle, especially in the carbon cycle, leading to substantial advancements in marine ecology and biogeochemistry.
Arts and philosophy: Laurie Anderson
Laurie Anderson has demonstrated her interdisciplinary creativity beyond the boundaries of music, visual art, and film through her innovative use of technology, combining ingenuity and wit. She has established a uniquely experimental yet pop-infused form of multimedia performance by integrating her own narrative voice, body, and electronic media.
Source: Inamori Foundation
Editorial Material
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Contact for further information:
Takeshi Nakajima (Mr) / Megumi Smith (Ms)
press@inamori-f.or.jp
Public Relations Division
Inamori Foundation