The Uehara Memorial Foundation
The Uehara Memorial Foundation
In February 1985, the Uehara Memorial Foundation was established as a 70th anniversary project of Taisho Pharmaceutical to commemorate the footsteps of our honorary chairman, the late Shokichi Uehara. The objective of the Uehara Memorial Foundation is to promote research in pharmaceutical development and other life science fields to enhance people’s lives and welfare.
The foundation’s activities have included research grants for professional life science researchers, grants for overseas study, and the Uehara Prize, an award recognizing research accomplishments. Additionally, it supports international symposiums on life sciences held in Japan through grants and other forms of assistance. To date, the foundation has awarded approximately 11,850 grants, with cumulative disbursements totaling about ¥38.5 billion.
In February 1985, the Uehara Memorial Foundation was established as a 70th anniversary project of Taisho Pharmaceutical to commemorate the footsteps of our honorary chairman, the late Shokichi Uehara. The objective of the Uehara Memorial Foundation is to promote research in pharmaceutical development and other life science fields to enhance people’s lives and welfare.
The foundation’s activities have included research grants for professional life science researchers, grants for overseas study, and the Uehara Prize, an award recognizing research accomplishments. Additionally, it supports international symposiums on life sciences held in Japan through grants and other forms of assistance. To date, the foundation has awarded approximately 11,850 grants, with cumulative disbursements totaling about ¥38.5 billion.
The Uehara Prize and Grant Presentation Ceremony
The Uehara Prize and Grant Presentation Ceremony
On March 11, 2025, the Foundation held the 2024 Uehara Prize and Research Grant Award Ceremony, along with the Uehara Prize Lectures, at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo.
The 2024 Uehara Prize was awarded to two recipients: Professor Hideki Kandori for his research on "Development of rhodopsins as a fundamental tool for optogenetic visual restoration", and Professor Michisuke Yuzaki for his research on "Elucidation of Novel Synaptic Adhesion Mechanisms and Development of Methods for Neural Function Manipulation".
Following the award ceremony, the Uehara Prize Lectures were held and streamed online.
On March 11, 2025, the Foundation held the 2024 Uehara Prize and Research Grant Award Ceremony, along with the Uehara Prize Lectures, at the Hyatt Regency Tokyo.
The 2024 Uehara Prize was awarded to two recipients: Professor Hideki Kandori for his research on "Development of rhodopsins as a fundamental tool for optogenetic visual restoration", and Professor Michisuke Yuzaki for his research on "Elucidation of Novel Synaptic Adhesion Mechanisms and Development of Methods for Neural Function Manipulation".
Following the award ceremony, the Uehara Prize Lectures were held and streamed online.
The Uehara Memorial Foundation 40th Anniversary Commemorative Lecture
The Uehara Memorial Foundation 40th Anniversary Commemorative Lecture
On July 26, 2025, the Uehara Memorial Foundation held its 40th Anniversary Commemorative Lecture at The Okura Tokyo.
The Foundation, established with the strong conviction of the late Honorary Chairman Shokichi Uehara—who, as Director-General of the Science and Technology Agency, believed that for resource-scarce Japan to prosper globally there was no path other than the advancement of science and technology through collective wisdom—has supported life science research for 40 years. This commemorative event highlighted both the Foundation’s history of contributions and its firm vision for the future.
On July 26, 2025, the Uehara Memorial Foundation held its 40th Anniversary Commemorative Lecture at The Okura Tokyo.
The Foundation, established with the strong conviction of the late Honorary Chairman Shokichi Uehara—who, as Director-General of the Science and Technology Agency, believed that for resource-scarce Japan to prosper globally there was no path other than the advancement of science and technology through collective wisdom—has supported life science research for 40 years. This commemorative event highlighted both the Foundation’s history of contributions and its firm vision for the future.
Grants and other forms of assistance awarded during fiscal 2024
Grants and other forms of assistance awarded during fiscal 2024
Support for Research
Support for Research
Uehara Prize (research achievement prize) recipients
Uehara Prize (research achievement prize) recipients
The recipients of the Uehara Prize (Research Achievement Award) are listed on the "Past Uehara Prize Recipients" page of the Uehara Memorial Foundation website.
Previous Uehara Award winners （Japanese site）
The recipients of the Uehara Prize (Research Achievement Award) are listed on the "Past Uehara Prize Recipients" page of the Uehara Memorial Foundation website.
Previous Uehara Award winners （Japanese site）
