Nobel chemistry prize winner visits Japan for first time since announcement of award

Eiichi Negishi, a Purdue University professor who shared the 2010 Nobel Prize in chemistry, has temporarily returned to Japan from the United States for the first time since the announcement of his award.

"There is only one homeland for me, and that's Japan where I spent my junior high and high school years," Negishi, 75, said with a smile during a press conference at Narita International Airport on the afternoon of Oct. 31, shortly after arriving along with his 73-year-old wife Sumire.

Referring to the organic synthesis reaction he specializes in, the professor stated, "I think we were lucky and received the prize on behalf of dozens of researchers who have been promoting this field." He then added, "In return, I'm beginning to reflect on how I should contribute to Japan and the field of chemistry."

Negishi also revealed that the late Herbert C. Brown, a 1979 Nobel Prize winner in chemistry whom he studied under, used to tell him that it would be extremely difficult to recommend him for the Nobel Prize unless he became a U.S. citizen.

"I have always considered myself Japanese, and I've never felt like giving up my nationality," said Negishi.

Negishi has also been chosen as a recipient of this year's Order of Culture, Japan's top cultural award, and will attend the Nov. 3 presentation ceremony for the award at Tokyo's Imperial Palace along with his wife. The couple is scheduled to stay in Japan until Nov. 6.