First comes Kitazato Shibasaburo (1853-1931), a physician and bacteriologist, who developed jointly with Emil Von Behring the antitoxin serum of diphtheria in 1890. In 1894, Kitazato discovered the agent of bubonic plague, almost simultaneously with Alexandre Yersin. Incidentally, Von Behring was awarded the 1901 Nobel Prize for the above feat.

Kitazato hailed from a village chief’s family in Kumamoto prefecture. He became interested in medical science and eventually graduated from the Tokyo School of Medicine (now the Faculty of Medicine, the University of Tokyo) in 1883. Kitazato continued his studies in Germany. His research was conducted under Robert Koch at the University of Berlin from 1885 to 1891.

After returning to Japan, Kitazato endeavored to establish an endemic research institute, which he believed was essential for Japan at that time. Such an institute was set up in 1892. However, the institute was absorbed by the University of Tokyo without Kitazato’s knowledge. In protest, Kitazato set up his own institute named “Kitazato Research Institute” in 1914. Kitazato also helped establish several hospitals, and in 1916 he assisted to create the Japan Medical Association.

In this way, Kitazato was hailed as the “father of modern medicine in Japan.” Shiga Kiyoshi, one of Kitazato’s followers, was credited with the discovery of the Shigella dysenteriae microorganism in 1897. The Kitazato medical group now operates a research institute, medical university and three hospitals among others. The new 1,000-yen banknote with Kitazato’s portrait has been in circulation since April, 2024.  

Next comes Noguchi Hideo (1876-1928), a prominent bacteriologist, who discovered the agent of syphilis in 1911. Noguchi hailed from a poor family in Fukushima prefecture. At the age of one, his left hand was badly burned because of an accident at home. Subsequently, Noguchi underwent an operation that made his left fingers function, to some extent. He was so impressed with the result that it prompted him to become a physician.

Because of Noguchi’s poor family background, he started as a clinic clerk after completing his primary education. He diligently studied medical practices in this way and eventually managed to become a practicing physician in 1897. Noguchi joined for a short period Kitazato’s Research Institute. In 1900, Noguchi went to the US and started as a research member at the University of Pennsylvania and in 1904 transferred to the Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research. 

Noguchi was credited with research in various diseases and was a prolific writer in medical science journals. Noguchi was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine several times but never received it. Later on, Noguchi focused on the research of yellow fever. In 1919, he travelled to Mexico for this purpose. Noguchi claimed that he had made a vaccine for the disease but it was later found not to be effective as he wrongly thought the cause of the disease was bacteria oriented rather than a virus. To defend Noguchi’s wrong findings, it was largely the limitations of the microscope at that time. “The electron microscope was developed in 1931, after his death in 1928, which could clearly identify and prove yellow fever was a virus.” Noguchi died of the disease in Accra, Ghana.

In recognition of his endeavors, in 1979, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research was established at the University of Ghana with funds donated by the Japanese government. In addition, what is called the “Hideo Noguchi Africa Prize” has been created for those who excelled in research for preventing and providing medical services for endemic diseases in Africa. The prize is presented every 5 years and the first prize was given in 2008. Noguchi’s portrait has been shown on the 1000-yen note since 2004. The printing of the note is now terminated (though still legal tender) as new notes showing Kitazato’s portrait are being circulated from this year.

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