On 16th December 2025, Professor Takahiro Sagawa, Department of Applied Physics, received the 22nd Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Prize. Furthermore, on 13th January 2026, he received the 22nd Japan Academy Medal.
The 22nd Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Prize
The JSPS Prize was established to recognize and support young researchers with rich creativity and exceptional research ability at an early stage in their careers, in order to raise the level of scientific research in Japan to the world’s highest standard.
The 22nd Japan Academy Medal
The Japan Academy Medal is awarded to a maximum of six young researchers who have demonstrated outstanding research achievements and are expected to play a prominent role in the future. The selection process is conducted among the recipients of the JSPS Prize.
About the Awarded Research
The profound relationship between information and thermodynamics has been discussed since the thought experiment known as "Maxwell’s demon" in the nineteenth century, as a fundamental issue concerning the foundations of the second law of thermodynamics. In this research, by integrating modern nonequilibrium statistical mechanics with information theory, the awardee constructed a theoretical framework referred to as information thermodynamics. In particular, the awardee established a generalized second law of thermodynamics that incorporates information, and revealed the fundamental limits on the minimum energy cost required for information processing. These results are expected to contribute to design principles for information processing that achieves both high speed and energy efficiency.
Your Impression & Future Plans
I am deeply honored that my research on the foundations of thermodynamics, which I have pursued since my graduate studies, has been recognized. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported me. I’m eager to take this momentum into the next stage of my research.
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Prize:
https://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-jsps-prize/awards.html
Recipients of the Japan Academy Medal elected:
https://www.japan-acad.go.jp/en/news/2026/011301.html
Project Professor Masaaki Kitajima received 5th Japan Research Front Award
Professor Takamasa Sakai received the 21st Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Prize and the 21st Japan Academy Medal
