On Professor Shinya Yamanaka winning the 2012 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine（MEXT Minister's comments）

I would like to sincerely congratulate Professor Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University for winning the 2012 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine.

Dr. Yamanaka's research was highly appraised for his discovery in reprogramming mature cells to become induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) which are capable of developing into any type tissue or organ in the human body.
On Sunday, I had the opportunity to visit Kyoto University's iCeMS research center and speak to Dr. Yamanaka about his latest research.
Dr. Yamanaka's research is making remarkable progress, and I was also deeply impressed by his young research team passionately carrying out their work.
It is my hope that this research continues to advance so that it contributes to regenerative medicine and the discovery of new drugs as soon as possible.
Dr. Yamanaka's award is evidence of Japan's high-level of research, and is a great encouragement and honor to us all.

MEXT will further concentrate on supporting important research which has attracted worldwide attention, improving research facilities and environments, and nurturing young researchers.

October 8, 2012
Makiko Tanaka
MEXT Minister