Recipients of the Japanese Society of Periodontology Award (SUNSTAR Award) Announced at the 69th Spring Scientific Meeting

At the 69th Spring Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Periodontology, the recipients of the Japanese Society of Periodontology Award (SUNSTAR Award), sponsored by Sunstar Inc., were announced for fiscal year 2025. The award ceremony was held on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Act City Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. This award recognizes researchers who have contributed to the development of the Japanese Society of Periodontology through their long-standing outstanding research, education, or clinical achievements in periodontology.

The recipients for fiscal year 2025 are: Professor Yukihiro Numabe from the Department of Periodontology, School of Life Dentistry at Nippon Dental University; Professor Fusanori Nishimura from the Section of Periodontology, Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University; and Visiting Professor Takashi Yaegashi from the School of Dentistry, Iwate Medical University. The recipients received a plaque of the Japanese Society of Periodontology Award from Mr. Nobuo Yoshinari, President of the Japanese Society of Periodontology, and the SUNSTAR Award penguin trophy and prize money from Mr. Kentaro Yamashita, General Manager of the Basic Research & Development Department, Global Research & Development Division, Sunstar Group.

The Japanese Society of Periodontology Award (SUNSTAR Award) was established in 2001 to recognize researchers who have made significant contributions to the activities of the Japanese Society of Periodontology, and this year marks its 25th presentation. Sunstar will continue to contribute to the development of periodontal research, education, and clinical achievements through the presentation of this award.

[Comments from the Fiscal Year 2025 Recipients]

Professor Yukihiro Numabe, Department of Periodontology, School of Life Dentistry, Nippon Dental University

"I am truly grateful to receive the Japanese Society of Periodontology Award (SUNSTAR Award) for fiscal year 2025. It is an honor beyond words to receive this highest honor in our society.

Since joining the Japanese Society of Periodontology in 1983, it has been a valuable place for me to learn and grow, both as a graduate student and as a university faculty member. I have served as a councilor, director, executive director, vice president, and president, and it has been the foundation of my growth as an academic and medical professional for about 40 years.

When I was entrusted with leading the society as president in 2023, I felt both the honor and the weight of the great responsibility.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to Sunstar for not only this award but also for their cooperation in presenting the Young Investigator Award (SUNSTAR Award) since 2015, which has greatly contributed to fostering excellent researchers from our society.

Every year, seeing the distinguished recipients receive this honor, I had always hoped to one day feel the weight of the penguin trophy given as a supplementary prize in my own hands (though there seem to have been years with different commemorative gifts). Therefore, this award brings me unexpected joy.

I will continue to do my utmost for the development of the Japanese Society of Periodontology and dental medicine. I sincerely thank all those who have provided guidance and support throughout the many opportunities leading to this award."

Professor Fusanori Nishimura, Section of Periodontology, Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University

"I am truly honored to receive the Japanese Society of Periodontology Award (SUNSTAR Award) for fiscal year 2025. I also extend my deep gratitude to Sunstar Inc. for supporting this award.

The other day, while tidying my room, I found a leaflet for the Sunstar-Chapel Hill Symposium '97 held in 1997. The subtitle of the conference theme was 'New Directions in Periodontal Medicine,' and I believe the term 'Periodontal Medicine (PM),' which is now common, was first used at this symposium. I have served in key positions such as the PM Committee, Research Committee, Vice President of the society, and coordinator, and have done my utmost for the development of the society.

I hear that the medical fee revision this spring (2026) will further strengthen collaboration between medical and dental fields. As the center of evidence creation is the Japanese Society of Periodontology, I hope for the continued development of our society and sincerely thank all the professors and相关人员 involved in this award."

Visiting Professor Takashi Yaegashi, School of Dentistry, Iwate Medical University

"I am truly grateful to receive the Japanese Society of Periodontology Award (SUNSTAR Award) for fiscal year 2025. It is an honor beyond words to be awarded this prestigious prize.

Since joining this society in 1985, I have served as a councilor, director, and executive director. I have been a member of numerous committees including the Education Committee, Election Management Committee, Certified Dentist Committee, Specialist Committee, Ethics Committee, and COI Committee. Particularly, as chair of the Election Management Committee, I conducted presidential elections before the COVID-19 pandemic (in-person voting) and during the pandemic (web voting), which was a truly valuable experience. For the director elections (Sections 2, 3, and 4), we abolished traditional mail voting and introduced a new electronic voting system. I remember handling these tasks with great tension as the election results directly affect the direction of our society. I sincerely thank everyone who has been so helpful to me on the occasion of this award."

[Reference]

Regarding the presentation of awards by the Japanese Society of Periodontology, in addition to this Society Award (SUNSTAR Award), Sunstar also established the Young Investigator Award (SUNSTAR Award) together with the Japanese Society of Periodontology in 2015. Through this award, Sunstar supports young researchers who have presented excellent research at academic meetings.

■ Details of the Japanese Society of Periodontology Sunstar Award System

Society Award: https://www.perio.jp/member/award/society.shtml

Young Investigator Award: https://www.perio.jp/member/award/young.shtml

Please see the newsletter for details on the announcement of the Young Investigator Award recipients at the 69th Spring Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Society of Periodontology: https://jp.sunstar.com/notice/notice/20260604_007813.html

[About the Sunstar Group]

The Sunstar Group is a corporate group centered on the holding company Sunstar SA (Etoy, Switzerland), with Sunstar Suisse SA (Switzerland) globally overseeing consumer products and services such as oral care, health foods, and cosmetics, and Sunstar Singapore Pte. Ltd. (Singapore) globally overseeing industrial products and services such as adhesives and sealants for automobiles and construction, and metal processed parts for motorcycles and automobiles.