Message from the President on the Awarding of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 to Alumnus Kenso Soai

On behalf of the University of Tokyo, his alma mater, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Professor Kenso Soai on being awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026. I also wish to express my deep respect for his earnest dedication to exploring the wonders of chemical reactions and for his great contributions to the advancement of science worldwide.

Professor Soai graduated from the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Science in 1974 and went on to our Graduate School of Science, where he earned his doctorate. After a postdoctoral appointment in the United States, he spent many years conducting research in synthetic organic chemistry at Tokyo University of Science. During that time, he produced a large body of outstanding work, including his discovery of the asymmetric autocatalytic reaction now known as the Soai reaction. His research is also highly regarded for the light it sheds on the mysteries of life.

I warmly congratulate Professor Soai on this great honor, the culmination of his tireless efforts and original research.

Teruo Fujii
President, The University of Tokyo