With the announcement of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, iPS cells have become a major talking point nationwide. At the same time, Kyoto University iPS Cell Research Institute director Shinya Yamanaka has become the man of the hour. One wonders whether many newborn children will be given the name "Shinya" from now on.
This year's celebrated "Shinya," however, is not Yamanaka alone. In January, the 146th Akutagawa Prize went to another "Shinya" — Shin'ya Tanaka — which also made headlines. In April after his win, The Mainichi Newspapers, headquartered in Palaceside Building, published his book Shin'ya Tanaka's Palm Theater (1,260 yen).
The two could hardly be more different in impression. Medicine and literature are different fields, so major differences are only natural. Yamanaka won the Nobel just six years after his research announcement — an unusually fast pace in Nobel history. Tanaka, by contrast, was nominated five times before finally winning — a long-awaited triumph. At their respective press conferences, Yamanaka said he had "nothing but gratitude," while Tanaka made provocative remarks such as "I think I deserved it" and "I'll accept it for you." Yamanaka came across as sincere and refreshing; Tanaka's irritable attitude — "Let's wrap this up already" — also drew attention.
What if these two sat down for a conversation? With former professional baseball news anchor Shinnosuke Sasaki — another "Shinya" connection — as moderator, starting after 11 p.m., the same slot as baseball news...... "Shinya and Shin'ya in a Late-Night Talk Hosted by Shin'ya" — how does that sound?
They probably would not have much to say to each other, though.