Kenzo Soai ``Very excited'' First comment on the phone immediately after the announcement - Nobel Prize

"I am very excited to hear that I will receive the Nobel Prize. Of course it is one of the most exciting days of my life." Professor Emeritus Kenzo Go (76) of Tokyo University of Science, who was selected to receive the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, spoke loudly on the night of the 7th in a telephone interview with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

The interview followed the announcement of the award recipients and the reasons for the award. Regarding co-recipient Henri Kagan, Mr. Go said, ``I'm very happy to hear that I won the award together with a renowned organic chemist.'' His excitement seemed to be coming through from his somewhat fast-spoken English.

When asked by the press what happened when he received the news that he had won the award, Mr. Gou replied with a laugh, ``I was out shopping in my neighborhood.'' Regarding his current thoughts, he said, ``I discovered this catalytic reaction in 1995, and I have continued researching it ever since,'' and added, ``I am very happy that this field is being recognized and receiving this award. There are many wonderful researchers in this field.''

Later, at around 8:20 p.m., Go came out of his apartment complex in Shiki City, Saitama Prefecture, wearing a suit, to attend a press conference. When asked by reporters how he felt about winning the award, he narrowed his eyes and said, ``Of course I'm happy.'' ``This is something that researchers all over the world are interested in, so I want to continue to deepen my research,'' he said as he got into a taxi heading to the university.