#Japan #Tokyo #Ig Nobel #Science humor #Tomoki Kojima

Ig Nobel Face-to-Face in Japan: Celebrating Unique Research

The Japan Science Museum in Odaiba, Tokyo, will host a special event titled "Ig Nobel Face-to-Face in JAPAN" on January 10, 2026. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Ig Nobel Prizes, known for honoring unusual yet thought-provoking research across various fields.

The event will feature renowned researchers, including Tomoki Kojima who won the 2025 Ig Nobel Prize for his innovative research on using zebra pattern coatings to deter blood-sucking insects from cows. Along with him, acclaimed speakers include Yoshimi Miyashita, known for his fascinating 2023 study on how electrically conducted chopsticks and straws can alter food flavors, Kazunori Yoshizawa who discovered the reverse reproductive organ shapes in male and female insects, and Takaki Kajita, the 2015 Nobel Prize winner in Physics for his groundbreaking work on neutrino oscillation.

The event is not only a celebration of quirky scientific achievements but also a platform for researchers to share their motivations and experiences in science. Each speaker will present their award-winning research and discuss the deeper passion for their work.

As part of the traditional opening ceremony, attendees will join in a mass paper airplane launching event, offering a chance to engage in a light-hearted moment while enjoying scientific endeavors. This makes it an exciting and interactive beginning to the event, reinforcing the spirit of curiosity and play in scientific inquiry.

The annual Ig Nobel Prizes aim to incite laughter and provoke thought, celebrating over ten groups or individuals whose research often has humorous undertones yet significant implications. It's notable that for 19 consecutive years, Japanese researchers have been included among the recipients of these awards, making it a familiar accolade in Japan.

The "Ig Nobel Face-to-Face" event has its roots in the United States and began as a means to share quirky yet valuable science with a global audience. Japan's version, hosted by the Japan Science Museum, marks its third occurrence, following the successful establishment of similar events in various countries including the UK and Germany after its inception in the US in 2023. This initiative aims to underscore the interesting and profound aspects of science that often stem from simple questions.

Event Details

Name:

Ig Nobel Face-to-Face in JAPAN

Date & Time:

January 10, 2026 (Saturday) 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Venue:

Japan Science Museum, 7th Floor, Miraikan Hall

Capacity:

250 people (Pre-registration required, on a first-come, first-served basis)

Target Audience:

Generally recommended for individuals in the 5th grade and above

Organizer:

Japan Science Museum

Admission Fee:

Free (No museum entry fee required)
Note: Additional fees apply for permanent exhibitions, special exhibits, and dome theater viewings.

Event Schedule

• - Opening Paper Airplane Launch: Attendees will be invited to fold and launch paper airplanes towards a target on stage.
• - Part 1: Speeches: Each speaker will introduce their awarded research content and current work.
• - Part 2: Why Do We Do Science?: Facilitated discussions on the motivations behind research and the fascinating aspects of science.
• - Part 3: Raffle Draw: Exciting prizes including official merchandise from the Ig Nobel Face-to-Face event in the US, and signed goods from the speakers will be available.

Experience the joy of science through humor, insights, and shared curiosity at the Ig Nobel Face-to-Face in JAPAN.

For more information and to register, visit the event page.