March 24, 2026
The 16th SOKENDAI Award
SOKENDAI Award is founded in Academic Year 2018 to commend the students who have accomplished their outstanding research and have been conferred their degrees with the excellent doctoral thesis.
The 16th SOKENDAI Award was held in Hayama campus on March 24, 2026.
Comments from Winners of the 16th SOKENDAI Award
IKEDA Ryota
- School of Physical Sciences, Department of Astronomical Science
- Doctorial thesis
A Census of Spatially Resolved Star-forming Galaxies in the Distant Universe
Comment
I am honored to receive the 16th SOKENDAI Prize. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who supported me throughout my PhD.
I enrolled in the Astronomical Science Course in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to the financial and mental support from SOKENDAI, I was able to continue my research throughout my PhD, although there were limited opportunities to discuss with my collaborators in person during the first two years. The campus of the astronomy course is located in National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) in Mitaka, Tokyo, where students have access to an international research environment and extensive support and supervision from the faculty members. There are many research visits from both domestic and international institutions, making it an ideal place to develop a research career.
IKEDA Ryota
NASU Tatsuhiro
- School of Physical Sciences, Department of Fusion Science
- Doctorial thesis
Study of electron-scale turbulence characteristics and multi-scale turbulence interaction in high-temperature magnetic-confinement plasmas
Comment
I spent my academic life in the Department of Fusion Science at the National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS) in Toki, Gifu. I performed experimental research using the Large Helical Device (LHD) operated by NIFS. Because of its unique design and the diversity and performance of its measurement and heating systems, the LHD is highly regarded internationally for its rarity. Combined with an environment where I can readily seek advice and engage in discussions with the outstanding researchers and engineers at NIFS, I can contribute to cutting-edge research achievements even as a student. With support from the SOKENDAI Student Dispatch Program, I have also been able to present my findings at many international conferences. Furthermore, by participating not only in conferences but also in experiments at overseas facilities, I gained a wealth of knowledge, including hands-on know-how at the operational level. I will continue to strive for excellence by applying these experiences.
NASU Tatsuhiro
TOKUNAGA Soma
- School of Advanced Sciences, Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems
- Doctorial thesis
The adaptive significance of regional endothermy in fishes revealed by biologging
Comment
I enrolled in SOKENDAI and spent the first two years in the Department of Polar Science (now the Polar Science Program), followed by three years in the Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems (now the Integrated Evolutionary Science Program). Both departments provided strong support, allowing me to pursue my research in a relaxed and encouraging environment. The close relationship between faculty and students was especially appealing, making it easy to ask for advice whenever needed. I also frequently conducted fieldwork, and the faculty were flexible in accommodating my schedule in lectures and seminars. Thanks to supportive fellow students, I was able to complete the five-year doctoral program without feeling isolated. I believe SOKENDAI is an excellent environment for students who are motivated to take initiative.
TOKUNAGA Soma
YUN HUISU
- Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, Japanese Language Sciences
- Doctorial thesis
The Miyako language within a broader Japonic context: A phonological history
Comment
The Japanese Language Sciences program is a three-year doctoral program hosted at the National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics (NINJAL) located in Tachikawa, less than half an hour away by train from Tokyo's Shinjuku district. Officially, the course aims to foster a new generation of researchers capable of conducting evidence-based research on the Japanese language, but we also have professors and students who specialize in more traditional subdisciplines, such as historical and comparative Japonic linguistics. The environment here is excellent, with access to the NINJAL Research Library, which houses some 170,000 books. Moreover, three other programs offered by SOKENDAI are hosted at neighboring institutes in Tachikawa (a total of four out of twenty!), creating opportunities to interact with peers from different fields of study.
YUN HUISU