The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
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Dr. Tasuku Honjo served as the third Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Shizuoka Prefectural University Corporation (April 2012–April 2017), and he currently serves as an advisor to the Corporation. On December 10, 2018, Dr. Honjo attended the Nobel Prize award ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden, where he received a medal and certificate for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
A brief bio of Tasuku Honjo, Advisor
Born in Kyoto in 1942
Dr. Honjo earned his MD and PhD (1975) from Kyoto University.
In addition to currently serving as an advisor to the Shizuoka Prefectural University Corporation, Dr. Honjo is a Professor Emeritus at Kyoto University and Director of the Fujinokuni Regional Medical Support Center.
Dr. Honjo earned his MD and PhD (1975) from Kyoto University.
In addition to currently serving as an advisor to the Shizuoka Prefectural University Corporation, Dr. Honjo is a Professor Emeritus at Kyoto University and Director of the Fujinokuni Regional Medical Support Center.
Events during Dr. Honjo’s tenure as Chairman of the Board of Directors
| April 2012 | Appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors |
| April 2012 | Delivers a talk on “What is life?” at the anniversary of the University’s founding |
| July 2012 | Delivers a Special Lecture to the Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences (photo1) |
| Jan. 2013 | Delivers opening remarks for a special lecture by Satoshi Omura (recipient of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine) |
| Jan. 2013 | His book Life as Explained by Genomes: An Introduction to and the Latest Findings in Life Science for Modern Humans is published by Kodansha |
| Sept. 2013 | New School of Nursing Building breaks ground on the Oshika Campus (photo2) |
| Nov. 2013 | Awarded the Order of Culture |
| Feb. 2014 | Gala in Shizuoka City to commemorate awarding of the Order of Culture (photo3) |
| March 2015 | Opening ceremony for the Oshika Campus (photo4) |
| July 2016 | Commemorative lecture at the Centenary Celebration of the University of Shizuoka’s School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (photo5) |
| Oct. 2016 | Opening remarks at the Ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of the founding of the University |
| April 2017 | Steps down as Chairman of the Board of Directors (photo6) |
| May 2017 | Appointed as an Advisor |
1. Dr. Honjo at the special lecture
2. Dr. Honjo at the groundbreaking ceremony
3. Dr. Honjo speaking at the gala banquet
4. Dr. Honjo cutting the ribbon
5. Dr. Honjo lectureing at the Celebration of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences
6. Dr. Honjo receiving a bouquet on his last day in office
Dr. Honjo’s credo
有志竟成 (Yuhshi Kyohsei ) “Where there’s a will, there’s a way”
※The penned message that Dr. Honjo donated is a copy of the penned message that he donated to the Nobel Museum.
※The penned message that Dr. Honjo donated is a copy of the penned message that he donated to the Nobel Museum.
Congratulatory remarks
Hiroshi Kito,
the President of the University of Shizuoka
An advisor to the University, Tasuku Honjo was awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for development of cancer immunotherapy. Dr. Honjo has received a number of academic awards such as the Asahi Prize, the Imperial Prize of the Japan Academy, the Tang Prize, and the Kyoto Prize. In addition to being awarded the Order of Culture, Dr. Honjo received the prestigious Nobel Prize. The University sincerely salutes him for his achievements.
Dr. Honjo served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Shizuoka Prefecture Public University Corporation from April 2012 to April 2017. For 2 of those years, I had the opportunity to serve under Dr. Honjo in university administration. During that time, my encounters with Dr. Honjo gave me the sense that I was staring up at the heights of Mt. Fuji, with their broad, sweeping vistas. I saw aspects like Dr. Honjo’s meticulousness and his stern demeanor like a samurai as well as his passion for golf, hanging out in a pub, and a thirst for knowledge ranging widely from history to international politics. After receiving the Nobel Prize, Dr. Honjo remarked in an interview on the importance of seeing the unusual, not tacitly accepting what is written in textbooks, always questioning, and looking into things for oneself.
Dr. Honjo’s Nobel Prize is a great honor for the University, which is fostering personnel who will help improve the health of the community, and it’s probably a huge encouragement to teachers and students. We sincerely hope for Dr. Honjo’s continued health and success.
(01/24/2019)
Dr. Honjo served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Shizuoka Prefecture Public University Corporation from April 2012 to April 2017. For 2 of those years, I had the opportunity to serve under Dr. Honjo in university administration. During that time, my encounters with Dr. Honjo gave me the sense that I was staring up at the heights of Mt. Fuji, with their broad, sweeping vistas. I saw aspects like Dr. Honjo’s meticulousness and his stern demeanor like a samurai as well as his passion for golf, hanging out in a pub, and a thirst for knowledge ranging widely from history to international politics. After receiving the Nobel Prize, Dr. Honjo remarked in an interview on the importance of seeing the unusual, not tacitly accepting what is written in textbooks, always questioning, and looking into things for oneself.
Dr. Honjo’s Nobel Prize is a great honor for the University, which is fostering personnel who will help improve the health of the community, and it’s probably a huge encouragement to teachers and students. We sincerely hope for Dr. Honjo’s continued health and success.
(01/24/2019)