TOKYO: Japan's National Institute of Science and Technology Policy said Friday it has honored 10 scientists for inspiring dreams for science and technology.

The institute under the science ministry selected Motohiro Sato, 45, professor at Hokkaido University, and Ari Shinojima, 39, project lecturer at Keio University.

Sato proved that bamboo joints and vascular bundles form a structure that enhances bamboo strength. Shinojima is the first in the world who has elucidated a mechanism of vision disturbances, such as decreased vision, suffered by astronauts who stayed at the International Space Station for a long time.

Every year from 2005, the institute honors mainly young researchers for their notable research achievements in and outside Japan and their contributions to society through business and other activities.

Others honored this time include Yoshimi Ui, 31, representative director of elderly care product developer Aba Inc., Junpei Ueda, 35, assistant professor at Kyoto University, Sadao Ota, 35, associate professor at the University of Tokyo, Hideaki Kato, 33, also associate professor at the University of Tokyo, and Eiryo Kawakami, 37, professor at Chiba University.

Toshihiro Sakamoto, 42, senior researcher at the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, was also chosen as were Nobuhiro Yanai, 35, and Stephen Lyth, 39, both associate professors at Kyushu University.

Those who made it to the past lists included Shinya Yamanaka, professor at Kyoto University, and Hiroshi Amano, professor at Nagoya University, both of whom won Nobel prizes later.

JIJI Press