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2026/03/19

Professor Isao Echizen receives the 58th Ichimura Prize in Science for Excellent Achievement

Professor Isao Echizen (Information and Society Research Division) of the National Institute of Informatics (NII, Director General: Sadao Kurohashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) has received the 58th Ichimura Prize in Science for Excellent Achievement for his pioneering R&D, as well as development and application, in the field of media security and forensics.

The Ichimura Prizes in Science recognize individuals or groups who have made significant contributions to the advancement of science and technology and industrial development in Japan, and who have made substantial contributions to the progress of academic fields. They were established in 1968, with the aim of contributing to dissemination and promotion of science and technology, as well as to the improvement of scientific and technological standards. The prize recognizes researchers and groups every year who have conducted exceptional research in science and engineering fields that make contributions to industry or have the potential for practical application. This includes original, revolutionary, and globally recognized work, and work that plays a leading role in the advancement of academic fields and is expected to have a significant ripple effect.
Professor Echizen received the Ichimura Prize in Science for Excellent Achievement in high recognition of him leading research and development in the field of media security and forensics, and his remarkable academic achievements and social implementation, because of the ability of these achievements to address serious privacy violations and security risks, amid the explosive spread of smartphones, and advancements in media processing technology, which have led to the uncontrolled sharing, analysis, and modification of all kinds of real-world information in cyberspace.
The prize-giving ceremony is scheduled to be held in Tokyo on Friday, April 17th.

Information about the prize recipient

Name:Isao Echizen
Position:Director, Professor, Information and Society Research Division, NII
Director, Global Research Center for Synthetic Media, NII

Comment from Professor Echizen

I am deeply honored to receive the prestigious Ichimura Prize in Science for Excellent Achievement. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has guided and supported me throughout this time.
I recognize this achievement as the valuation of the series of research results I have made since moving from a corporate research institute to the National Institute of Informatics in 2007, and I am very pleased that my long-term efforts have culminated in this way.
This achievement is also due to the tremendous efforts of the students and staff in my laboratory who have worked with me to conduct this research, as well as my collaborative researchers both domestically and internationally. This prize is a great source of encouragement to me, and I intend to dedicate myself even more to research in order to advance information science and solve social problems. I wish to express my deepest gratitude once again to everyone who has supported this research.