Historical First! Japanese High School Student Wins World's Top Prize at 'ISEF' International Science Fair

From May 9 to 15, 2026, the 'Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF) 2026,' the world's largest science research competition for middle and high school students, was held in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Celebrating its 76th year, the competition featured a total prize pool of approximately $9 million (about 1.4 billion yen), drawing 1,725 finalists from 65 countries and territories. From Japan, 19 research projects involving 29 students participated as national representatives. Teru Kuribayashi achieved a historic milestone by winning the highest honor, the 'George Yancopoulos Innovator Award.' Additionally, the Japanese delegation achieved its highest-ever number of awards, with 8 projects receiving Grand Awards in their respective categories and 3 projects securing a total of 4 Special Awards. These young future researchers demonstrated exceptional research capabilities and international presentation skills on the global stage. ### About ISEF ISEF is the world's premier science competition where middle and high school students who have won top prizes in approximately 400 affiliated contests worldwide participate as representatives. Every May, young researchers gather in various U.S. cities for the event. In Japan, the 'Japan Student Science Award' (sponsored by Yomiuri Shimbun) and 'JSEC' (sponsored by Asahi Shimbun and TV Asahi) are affiliated contests. Top winners from these competitions are selected as national representatives. This year's representatives underwent about six months of training, including English document preparation and presentation coaching, provided by the NPO Japan Science Services (NSS), primarily composed of ISEF alumni. ### Judging and Awards Finalists select one of 22 categories to enter. Judging is conducted by experienced experts, each holding a Ph.D. in their respective field. Approximately 25% of all finalists receive 'Grand Awards' (1st to 4th place), and 'Special Awards' are granted by specific universities or companies to projects they recognize as outstanding. This year, Teru Kuribayashi of Municipal Sapporo Kaisei Secondary School was selected for the top overall prize, the 'George Yancopoulos Innovator Award.' This prize is awarded to only one project selected from among the 1st place winners of the 22 categories. This is the first time a Japanese representative has won the top prize since Japan began sending students in 1958. Overall, the Japanese delegation saw 8 research projects receive Grand Awards, significantly surpassing the previous record of 6 in 2018. Furthermore, Kazuhiro Komatsu from Nagano Prefectural Suwa Seiryo High School became the first Japanese representative in 12 years to win two Special Awards, contributing to the most successful results in history. ### Award Details: **George Yancopoulos Innovator Award** **Physics and Astronomy: 1st Place Grand Award** - Teru Kuribayashi (Municipal Sapporo Kaisei Secondary School) **Physics and Astronomy: 2nd Place Grand Award** - Shunsuke Kita (Junior & Senior High School at Komaba, University of Tsukuba) **Plant Sciences: 2nd Place Grand Award** - Kazuhiro Komatsu (Nagano Prefectural Suwa Seiryo High School) **Robotics and Intelligent Machines: 2nd Place Grand Award** - Yugo Igarashi (The American School in Japan) **Animal Sciences: 4th Place Grand Award** - Go Kato (Tokyo Gakugei University Senior High School) - Kiruma Ishibashi, Taichiro Ishizuka, Mayu Kawai (Shizuoka Prefectural Yaizu Chuo High School) **Biochemistry: 4th Place Grand Award** - Sophia Rei Nagasaka (Tokyo Metropolitan Hibiya High School) **Technology Enhances the Arts: 4th Place Grand Award** - Nao Uematsu (Oin Senior High School) **** - Arizona State University Award - Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey Award - Kazuhiro Komatsu (Nagano Prefectural Suwa Seiryo High School) - King Abdulaziz & his Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity Award - Yugo Igarashi (The American School in Japan) - Alumni Special Award - Sophia Rei Nagasaka (Tokyo Metropolitan Hibiya High School)