果冻影院

The JSPS Prize supports Japanese academics in various fields of natural sciences, humanities and social sciences who are under the age of 45, providing听a platform for enhanced research abilities at an earlier听stage in their careers. First established听in 2004, the award consists of a certificate of merit, a medal, and a purse of JPY 1.1 million听(approximately 拢6,000).听

Upon receiving his award, Professor Saito will also have the honour of meeting Fumihito, the Crown Prince of Japan, at a ceremony in Tokyo in March 2024.听

Professor Saito鈥檚 research is focused on second language (L2) learning and its听positive impact on job prospects, cultural understanding听and overall well-being in today鈥檚 interconnected world. Findings show that individuals with high听proficiency听in L2 speech听generally have听very听accurate听auditory processing skills, and that a lack of such precision in auditory processing can impede the speed of learning.听

Furthermore, evidence suggests that combining training in both auditory and language skills can enhance L2 learning, particularly for those with weaker auditory processing abilities, a group often overlooked in both research and teaching methodologies.听

To qualify for the JSPS Prize, an听academic must have published papers or articles in scientific journals and other publications in Japan or abroad and听obtained excellent scientific research achievements. Professor Saito received a nomination from Professor Motoaki Sugiura of Tohoku University and听is one of听just听two prize winners to conduct their research outside of Japan.听

Professor Saito said: 鈥淎s someone who has been away from Japan for some time, this prize holds special significance as it represents听recognition of my research in my homeland. It听will be a great honour听to have the opportunity to meet and share my story with Fumihito, Crown Prince of Japan.鈥澨�

The award also demonstrates听the successful partnership fostered between 果冻影院 and Tohoku University, through听which Professor Saito鈥檚 team within 果冻影院's Institute of Education won funding on two occasions.听

The group has developed strong ties with the neuroscience team at the Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, at Tohoku University, which is one听aspect of 果冻影院's听160-year relationship with Japanese universities and businesses. 听

Professor Saito continued: 鈥淲ithout the collaboration opportunities with Tohoku University, I would not have had this opportunity to reconnect and maximise the academic possibilities in Japan. With this recognition, I hope my story will inspire more young scholars to appreciate the value of international and interdisciplinary collaborations.鈥�

Links

• IOE, 果冻影院's Faculty of Education and Society

Image

• (1) Updated 18/04/2024 - Professor Kazuya Saito听receiving his award听with听Crown Prince Akishino Fumihito (left),听Crown Princess Kiko (middle) and听Tsuyoshi Sugino - President of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (right).
• (2) A headshot of Professor Saito at the award ceremony

Media contact

Tom Cramp

贰:听t.cramp@ucl.ac.uk