The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced on October 7 that the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Professor Emeritus Kenso Soai of Tokyo University of Science.
During his time at Tokyo University of Science, Professor Emeritus Soai discovered the world's first example of "asymmetric autocatalysis", in which the product of a reaction itself acts as a catalyst to promote the same reaction.
This reaction, known as the "Soai reaction", has attracted significant attention as research that may help shed light on one of the mysteries surrounding the origin of life: why molecules that make up living organisms predominantly exist in one of two possible mirror-image forms.
A press conference was held at the Kagurazaka Campus of Tokyo University of Science on October 7.
Professor Soai said, "I am very happy to be able to receive this award together with Professor Henri Kagan". He also commented that the award could provide an opportunity for more people to become interested in organic synthetic chemistry.
Expressing his joy at receiving the award, Professor Soai also expressed his gratitude, saying, "I was able to reach this point thanks to the students."
Biography
Born in Hiroshima Prefecture in 1950. Graduated from the Faculty of Science, The University of Tokyo, and received a Doctor of Science degree. Served as a Research Fellow at the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of North Carolina, and a Professor in the Faculty of Science Division I at Tokyo University of Science. Awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2012.
Currently a Professor Emeritus at Tokyo University of Science.
