Researchers and Presentations Related to KEK Receive PASJ Awards and Annual Meeting Awards
In August 2026, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Particle Accelerator Society of Japan (PASJ) was held at Sendai International Center. The meeting included the award ceremony and award lectures for the 22nd PASJ Awards (FY2025), where researchers involved in accelerator-related activities at KEK received the Award for Research Encouragement, the Award for Technological Contribution, and the Award for Distinguished Services.
The Award for Research Encouragement was presented to Nobuyuki Yoshimura, formerly of Kyoto University and a former KEK Special Joint Use Researcher, and currently with Toshiba Corporation, for his work titled “Study of Transverse Collective Dynamics at J-PARC MR Synchrotron.” The Award for Technological Contribution was presented to Professor Hiroyasu Ego of the KEK Accelerator Laboratory and Dr. Takahiro Inagaki of RIKEN for their work titled “Development of a Compact HOM-Damped TM020-Mode Cavity Combining High-Voltage Performance with Instability Suppression.” The TM020-mode cavity they developed has been installed at NanoTerasu (QST) and is now demonstrating its performance. KEK Professor Emeritus Hiroshi Matsumoto received the Award for Distinguished Services in recognition of his long-standing contributions to accelerator technology, particularly the development of high-power RF technology and the training of future specialists.
The meeting featured a broad range of research, from the development of accelerators and their components to safety systems, prompting lively discussions. Three presentations by SOKENDAI students received PASJ Annual Meeting Awards: one in the oral presentation category and two in the poster presentation category.
The PASJ Annual Meeting Awards recognize outstanding presentations delivered during the meeting and are intended to encourage students and early-career researchers at the beginning of their research careers. We look forward to the award recipients’ continued success.
The 22nd PASJ Awards (FY2025)
Award for Research Encouragement
Nobuyuki Yoshimura — Formerly Kyoto University and KEK Special Joint Use Researcher; currently Toshiba Corporation
“Study of Transverse Collective Dynamics at J-PARC MR Synchrotron”
Presented primarily to early-career researchers for outstanding research in accelerator physics and technology that demonstrates exceptional initiative and motivation.
At the award ceremony: PASJ President Fumihiko Tamura (JAEA/J-PARC; left) and Nobuyuki Yoshimura
Award for Technological Contribution
Hiroyasu Ego — Professor, KEK Accelerator Laboratory; Takahiro Inagaki — Group Director, Accelerator Hardware Development Group, RIKEN SPring-8 Center
“Development of a Compact HOM-Damped TM020-Mode Cavity Combining High-Voltage Performance with Instability Suppression”
Presented for significant technical contributions to accelerator construction, operation, enhanced utilization, manufacturing technology development, and related fields.
Award for Distinguished Services
Hiroshi Matsumoto — KEK Professor Emeritus
“Long-Standing Contributions to Accelerator Technology, Particularly the Development of High-Power RF Technology and the Training of Future Specialists”
Presented in recognition of many years of dedicated service supporting accelerator construction, operation, development, utilization, and outreach, and of major contributions to the advancement of the accelerator field.
Award recipients Hiroshi Matsumoto, Hiroyasu Ego, and Takahiro Inagaki (from left)
The 23rd PASJ Annual Meeting Awards
Oral Presentation Category
Ruau Watanabe — D4, SOKENDAI (equivalent to the second year of a standard doctoral program)
“Study of NEG-coating for Small-diameter Complex-shaped Vacuum Chambers Using a Compact Coating System”
Ruau Watanabe holding the award certificate
Poster Presentation Category
Yoshihiro Saito — D2, SOKENDAI (equivalent to the second year of a standard master’s program)
“Validation of Fast Beam Based Alignment for upgrade of Beam Position Monitor in J-PARC Main Ring”
Keita Itahashi — D2, SOKENDAI (equivalent to the second year of a standard master’s program)
“Development of observation system for electron cloud in J-PARC MR using microwave transmission”
Yoshihiro Saito (left) and Keita Itahashi holding their award certificates
For details on the purpose and selection criteria of each award, please see the links below.
Particle Accelerator Society of Japan
PASJ Awards: https://www.pasj.jp/award.html
PASJ Annual Meeting Awards: https://www.pasj.jp/award_nenkai.html
