Takao Hensch, MCB Professor and Neurology Professor at Boston Children’s Hospital, will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon—one of Japan’s highest civilian honors, akin to CBE honors in Western culture. This prestigious award, given by the Japanese Imperial Office, was established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji as Japan’s first national decoration. It recognizes a lifetime of exceptional contributions to Japan’s global standing through “distinguished achievements in their field of endeavor.” Hensch’s extensive efforts in brain science and his dedication to deepening Japan’s relationship with the world have culminated in this honor, formally announced on Japan’s annual Culture Day, November 3. He will receive the award at a special ceremony in Boston in early 2025.
Hensch’s achievements span continents and decades, characterized by enduring commitment to scientific collaboration and cultural bridging. A pivotal force in Japanese and international neuroscience, he helped to launch two prominent centers in Japan that anchor significant advancements in the field. As group director at the RIKEN Brain Science Institute, one of Japan’s flagship neuroscience initiatives, he set the stage for transformative research and an inclusive work culture. “I felt a responsibility not only to advance the science but to improve the global ecosystem,” Hensch said, reflecting on the creation of international summer schools, retreats and a groundbreaking nursery on the RIKEN campus, a remarkable move for a Japanese national institute.
Hensch’s life embodies a personal dedication to cultural exchange and scientific excellence. Born in Tokyo to a Japanese mother and German father, he moved to New York at age three and grew up in the US, though his cultural roots have remained central to his life and work. “Being half-Japanese and raised in the U.S., linking these worlds has been a labor of love for me,” he shared. After completing his undergraduate studies at Harvard, he returned to Japan to reconnect with his heritage, later earning a master’s degree there. His subsequent career moves took him across Japan, the U.S., and Europe, ultimately positioning him as a pioneering “personal vector” of neuroscience collaboration between Japan and the Western world.
One of Hensch’s ongoing efforts is his leadership of a large-scale Japanese government-funded project that connects the University of Tokyo with Boston Children’s Hospital. Launched in 2017, this World Premier International (WPI) initiative integrates brain science with artificial intelligence to fuel pathbreaking research in both fields. “We envisioned a program that could learn from neurodevelopmental principles and its disorders to contribute to AI, well before today’s wave of AI innovation,” he explained, underscoring the project’s ambitious goal of cross-disciplinary scientific fusion.
Hensch’s influence extends beyond research as he mentors aspiring neuroscientists in Japan and the US, always advocating for international academic exchange. “I believe strongly in the power of bringing young minds together across borders,” he emphasized. His work has been central to establishing Harvard’s Japan Summer Science Undergraduate Research Program (JSSURP), which enables Harvard students to conduct research in Japan under Hensch’s advisement. JSSURP has grown to involve other universities in Japan, widening its reach and establishing robust transnational scientific communities.
“I am delighted that Takao is being recognized by the Japanese Imperial Office for his scientific discoveries about how the brain develops, and for his leadership and commitment to creating and nurturing international scientific collaborations,” adds MCB Chair Rachelle Gaudet. “As one example of his many contributions, I have met numerous Harvard undergraduates who have had transformative scientific and cultural experiences by spending a summer doing research in a renowned Japanese laboratory.”
Receiving the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, is a humbling honor for Hensch, who describes the award as a “truly unexpected, once-in-a-lifetime recognition.” He added, “I’m grateful if my work to build bridges between Japan and the world can be seen as impactful.” The award is often bestowed upon individuals in the arts or humanities who have made significant contributions to Japanese society and culture, making Hensch’s contributions in the sciences an unusual and highly respected honor.
Reflecting on this rare recognition to a foreign national, Hensch looks toward his Boston-based ceremony early next year, focused on fostering even deeper connections crediting both his Japanese heritage and his scientific mission.
