Isamu Akasaki, Distinguished Professor at Nagoya University, and Hiroshi Amano, Graduate School of Engineering Professor at NU, received the Nobel Prize in Physics at the Nobel Prize Award Ceremony held in Stockholm, Sweden, on the evening of December 10 (Japan time: early morning of December 11), 2014.
At the Ceremony, the Nobel Committee for Physics remarked that the invention of the blue light-emitting diode (LED) has literally illuminated the world, and that this year's prize fulfills the words of Alfred Nobel's will: "The Nobel Prize in Physics should be awarded to those who shall have conferred the greatest benefit to mankind." Prof. Akasaki and Prof. Amano were presented with their medals and diplomas by the King of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf.
Comment from Prof. Amano after the Award Ceremony
The Nobel lecture and the Award Ceremony -- the main Nobel Prize events -- have ended. I would first like to take this opportunity to apologize for my multiple mistakes at the events, including my careless failure to express my thanks to a number of people during my lecture, and the fact that I froze up a little due to my extreme nervousness.
Through these events, I was able to make contact with the warm and sincere Swedish people, and enjoyed various experiences that I would never have the opportunity for in my normal life. These experiences were really inspiring for me. Everything -- not only the venues for the lecture and the ceremony and the people who prepared them, but also all the other events -- was excellent. I am humbled to have been treated so wonderfully.
I also would like to express my sincere gratitude to the people who supported me in various ways and to those who kindly participated in the events -- particularly, my seniors who took care of me when I was a student, the media staff, and my family, who provided me with so much practical and emotional support. While I am sorry to be a burden to them, I am grateful if this opportunity provided them with a chance to experience the Swedish people and culture.
This award was a great honor for me, but it does not change my inner value as a person and as a researcher. Since I am still far from an accomplished person, I intend to devote myself more energetically to my work. I would like to ask for your continuous guidance and encouragement.
Hiroshi Amano
Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University
Related Link: Official Nobel Prize Website