Nobel Prize in Chemistry goes to Soai Kenso of Tokyo University of Science and Henri Kagan

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Nobel Prize in Chemistry goes to Soai Kenso of Tokyo University of Science and Henri Kagan

7 October 2026

Dr. Soai Kenso, Professor Emeritus at Tokyo University of Science, was awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae said in a comment that the award recognises his discoveries and research on non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.
The Prime Minister telephoned Soai on 7 October 2026 to congratulate him.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the prize on 7 October 2026.
Soai, 76, shares it with Henri Kagan of France, 95, for the discovery of nonlinear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.
The work shows how a chemical reaction can be driven to favour one mirror-image form of a molecule, which matters for pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Japanese laureate: Soai Kenso, 76 Institution: Tokyo University of Science Co-laureate: Henri Kagan, France, 95 Announced: 7 October 2026

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7 October 2026 Source: Prime Minister's Office of Japan

In plain words

Autocatalysis Autocatalysis — A reaction in which the product itself speeds up the reaction that makes it.

Chirality Chirality — The property by which a molecule and its mirror image cannot be superimposed.