WWII work of Japan's future Nobelists shows complex relationship with military

CommentInterest in technical challenges drew some scientists into war effortPhysicists working on research for the Imperial Japanese Navy, including Hideki Yukawa, fourth from right in front row, and Sin-Itiro Tomonaga, third from right. (Courtesy of Masami Shinma of the Shimada Association for Modern Heritage)SHINICHI AOKIAugust 15, 2026 07:06 JSTTOKYO -- In an era when basic science has become ever harder to untangle from research with military applications, the work of future Nobel Prize-winning scientists mobilized by Japan during World War II may have lessons to offer.