Photo/Illutration Shimon Sakaguchi gives a lecture at his alma mater, Biwa Minami Elementary School, on Nov. 4, 2023. (Provided by Biwa Minami Elementary School)

NAGAHAMA, Shiga Prefecture--Shimon Sakaguchi is living proof that dreams do indeed come true.

The co-winner of this year’s Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has a mantra, one that he readily shares with children.

“Have a dream in everything you do,” the distinguished professor at the University of Osaka likes to say. “Once you find it, even if it takes time, make it come true.”

He spoke those words in November 2023 during a lecture at his alma mater, Biwa Minami Elementary School, in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture.

The 74-year-old immunologist was the talk of the town after the Nobel announcement on Oct. 6.

Principal Etsuo Mori, 59, spoke for many as he expressed his amazement.

“Sakaguchi truly followed through on what he said. It’s incredible that he accomplished what he told the children.”

The lecture was part of the school’s 150th anniversary celebrations, where Sakaguchi was invited to speak.

According to records from the time, the scientist talked about his research as an immunologist and explained the reasons viruses make people sick and ways to avoid falling sick.

Sakaguchi shared his mantra with the aim of inspiring young minds to look at the world with fresh eyes for as long as they can.

He also reflected on his own childhood, saying: “I was the only one in my class who couldn’t do a backward flip on the horizontal bar. I practiced hard, and one day, I suddenly could do it.”

He added: “Just like you can train your body, you can train your mind. One day, you’ll suddenly understand something. That’s what studying is all about.”

The lecture left a lasting impression on the children.

Sixth-grader Ryusei Tsukada, 12, was particularly enamored with the part about vaccines. “It made me want to keep trying without giving up.”

On Oct. 9, the elementary school hung a banner on an outside wall to celebrate Sakaguchi’s Nobel achievement.

Around 50 fifth- and sixth-graders and teachers gathered in front of it and shouted in unison, “Congratulations, Professor Sakaguchi!”

After hearing that Sakaguchi had won the Nobel prize, fifth-grader Yuko Nakagawa, 11, said she recalled the term “regulatory T cells,” which Sakaguchi discovered.

She owns all volumes of the popular manga “Hataraku Saibou” (Cells at Work!), where a suited female character represents a personified version of a regulatory T cell.

“I’m so happy that someone from our school won such a globally prestigious award,” Nakagawa said.

When Sakaguchi studied there, the school was a Biwa village-run institution.

At the time of his graduation, there were three classes per grade, with 138 sixth-graders. Today, there is only one sixth-grade class with 29 pupils.

The school building still stands in rural fields, but in a slightly different location.

His other alma maters, Biwa Junior High School and Nagahama Kita High School, are also displaying celebratory banners.

On the night of Oct. 6, after the Nobel Prize was announced, around 20 people gathered at Nagahama City Hall and celebrated together.

Nagahama Mayor Nobuyoshi Asami visited Sakaguchi’s family home the following day, where he said, “Sakaguchi is the pride of our town.”

Asami said the achievement will have a great impact on education and culture.

“We want to honor him for many years to come.”

The city plans to make Sakaguchi its first honorary citizen.

Related News