KYOTO — The 1999 Kyoto Prizes will go to an American materials scientist, an American oceanographer, and a French choreographer, it was announced Friday.
This year's winner in the field of advanced technology is David Kingery, 72, regent professor at the University of Arizona, for his contributions to establishing the theoretical base of ceramic technology.
The basic sciences prize will go to Walter H. Munk, 81, an oceanographer and professor of geophysics at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, for his work on the mechanisms of ocean circulation.
The prize for creative arts and moral sciences will be awarded to French choreographer Maurice Bejart, 72.
Each winner will receive a gold medal and 50 million yen at a ceremony to be held Nov. 10.
The Kyoto Prize has been awarded every year since 1985 by the Inamori Foundation to those who have made significant contribution to scientific progress and human betterment.
The foundation was established in April 1984 with a 20 billion yen grant by Kazuo Inamori, founder and honorary chairman of Kyocera Corp.