Lecture of Akira Suzuki, Emeritus Professor, Hokkaido University

　 A lecture was delivered by Dr. Akira Suzuki, Emeritus Professor of Hokkaido University, at Fukuoka Kokusai Hall on February 23, 2012 in commemoration of his receipt of the 2010 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

　The purpose of the lecture was to raise public interest in science and chemistry, and about 600 members of the public, including junior high and high school students, attended.

  The professor shared some episodes from his early days at Hokkaido University, when he started studying organic chemistry, and spoke of some practical applications for cross-coupling reactions, for which he won the Nobel Prize. He also spoke about the moment he was awarded the prize and the Award Ceremony in Stockholm. He spoke in a simple manner, with occasional anecdotes relating his personal experiences. Dr. Suzuki fielded many questions, and his 2-hour lecture was a great success.