Interview with the 2019 Nobel Prize laureate in chemistry Akira Yoshino on 6 December 2019 during the Nobel Week in Stockholm, Sweden. 

Do you remember a specific teacher? 

Akira Yoshino: When I was in the third or fourth grade, my teacher recommended a book by Michael Faraday, The Chemical History of a Candle. It impressed me. The Chemical History of a Candle impresses me. Why do candles burn? What happens, for example, when oxygen in the air reacts with carbon or hydrogen and burns. It’s very interesting for young children. Why do candles burn? I became very interested in chemistry. This book led me to chemistry.  

What is the most important characteristic of a good teacher? 

Akira Yoshino: I think it is very important for teachers to allow the curiosity of children. There are many things which humankind cannot understand. There are many items which are very mysterious. There are many opportunites to find new explanatory results, a new theory or a new phenomenon. There are many opportunities to find things. I want to inform young children. 

Who was your role model? 

Akira Yoshino: Professor Kenichi Fukui, he was a Nobel Prize laureate in 1981, by the achievement of molecular orbital theory. Professor Fukui was a mentor of my mentor, so that I respected him. Professor Fukui taught us to study basic research. Basic means classic theories. After understanding the basic knowledge, then you can challenge new methods. Basic research is very important, he taught me. 

How can we inspire children to pursue a career in science? 

Akira Yoshino: Curiosity in children is very important. If young children find their own curiosity, they will be educated by themselves, not by teachers. To ask very simple questions, for example why the candle burns. Such an example is very useful for young children.  

What advice do you have for young scientists? 

Akira Yoshino: I started doing basic research on lithium batteries when I was 33 years old. It is an important age, I think, because you are still young and understand the way of research and organisations. You can try risky approaches because you are young. Around 35 years is a very important age, to study and do research for your future self. 

What qualities do you need to become a successful scientist? 

Akira Yoshino: Persistence and flexibility is very important. Balancing the two items, I think it’s very important.  

How do you cope with failure? 

Akira Yoshino: There are two ways to overcome difficulties. One is to do better, work harder. The other is to relax – the opposite. It’s my opinion. When relaxing, new ideas appear. 

How did archeology become one of your biggest interests? 

Akira Yoshino: I entered Kyoto University in 1986. I was interested in history, so I joined the circle of ancient history. I was a student of Kyoto University, and this faculty collaborated with other universities. My wife joined the same circle and I met her. I was interested in reading books and watching TV programs about history. 

Do you see any similarities between archeology and science? 

Akira Yoshino: It’s very similar. As a scientist, predicting the future is very important. But history suggests the future. It’s a trend of humankind. The history creates the future, makes it possible to imagine the future. It is very important for research and science.  

Has doing sports been important for you? 

Akira Yoshino: On weekdays, I was very busy doing research. But on holidays, Saturday or Sunday, I wanted to relax. I play tennis, or swim, or play golf. To change the mind. 

How did you react to the news of your Nobel Prize? 

Akira Yoshino: I received the international call from Stockholm on 9 October, just 30 minutes before the announcement. I was very surprised. I thought “amazing, is this true?” Very exciting and amazing. 

How well do you know John Goodenough? 

Akira Yoshino: I met Professor Goodenough in 2000, in Hawaii, at an international conference about batteries. Around 2010, I visited Austin, Texas, and I continued doing that every year. Unfortunately, the last two or three years, I have been very busy, so I couldn’t visit Austin.  

Has collaboration been important to you? 

Akira Yoshino: It is very important, especially because quite different fields of people get together and discuss. So it’s very important, to lithium batteries, the technology of batteries, as well as the other side, the circuit technology. 

What research are you doing now? 

Akira Yoshino: Right now, I do not have my own laboratory, but I suggest some directions for researchers. 

What does sustainability mean to you? 

Akira Yoshino: I want to send a message to the world about global environmental issues. In my opinion, it is of course very important to solve environmental issues. I think it is possible. So we try to realise such a new sustainable society. It is easy to save energy. In my home. I don’t use an air conditioner, especially in midsummer. That saves energy. 

What are your thoughts about electric cars? 

Akira Yoshino: I believe electric vehicles will increase in the future. I think it is very important to combine them with other technologies such as AI technology, or the concept of IoT. The combination with such new technologies creates a new car society.  

What future do you see in the battery industry? 

Akira Yoshino: It is required to improve the performance of lithium batteries in the future. There are many issues, energy density, price, and also the durability. It is especially important to improve the durability, the long cycle life. 

Watch the interview