Famous Japanese Mathematicians

Known as the Japanese Perelman, mathematician Shinichi Mochizuki is known for his work on number theory and arithmetic geometry and for his contribution to anabelian geometry. His proof of the ABC Conjecture was met with criticism by fellow mathematicians Peter Scholze and Jakob Stix, leading to a major controversy.

Kiyoshi Ito was a Japanese mathematician best remembered for his immense contributions to probability theory. He is credited with inventing the concept of stochastic differential equation and stochastic integral. Kiyoshi Ito is also credited with founding Itô calculus. In 2006, Kiyoshi Ito was honored with the prestigious Gauss Prize by the International Mathematical Union.

Seki Takakazu was a Japanese author and mathematician active during the Edo period. Referred to as Japan's Newton, Seki laid foundations for the ensuing development of Japanese mathematics. Seki Takakazu is also credited with creating a new algebraic notation system. 

Toru Kumon was a Japanese mathematician and mathematics educator. He is credited with creating the Kumon Method of Learning, which led to the establishment of the Kumon Institute of Education in 1958. Today, Kumon Centers can be found around the world. The Kumon Method of Learning was designed to bolster a student's fundamental language and maths skills.

Heisuke Hironaka is a Japanese mathematician best known for his immense contributions to algebraic geometry, for which he received the prestigious Fields Medal in 1970. Heisuke Hironaka has also held teaching positions at Columbia University, Brandeis University, Harvard University, and Kyoto University. From 1996 to 2002, he served as the president of Yamaguchi University.

Shigefumi Mori is a Japanese mathematician best known for his contribution to algebraic geometry. In 1990, he was honored at the International Congress of Mathematicians with the prestigious Fields Medal. Shigefumi Mori also works as a professor at Kyoto University.

Kodaira Kunihiko was a Japanese mathematician best remembered for his distinguished work on the theory of complex manifolds and algebraic geometry. In 1954, he became the first person from Japan to win a Fields Medal. Over the course of his illustrious career, Kodaira Kunihiko also won the Fujiwara Prize and the Japan Academy Prize.

Takebe Kenkō was a Japanese cartographer and mathematician who was active during the Edo period. One of the favorite pupils of the famous mathematician Seki Takakazu, Kenkō is believed to have popularized Seki's work. Takebe Kenkō also played an important role in the progression of the Enri, a Japanese equivalent of the western calculus.