Hiraku Nakajima Honors Fields Medalists as President of the International Mathematical Union

July 24, 2026
The University of Tokyo Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI)

Kavli IPMU Professor Hiraku Nakajima speaks at the International Congress of Mathematicians. (Credit: Yukari Ito)

This year's Fields Medalists were announced on July 23 by the International Mathematical Union (IMU) President and University of Tokyo Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI) Professor Hiraku Nakajima, during the opening ceremony of the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM 2026) in Philadelphia, USA.

Nakajima is the second Japanese national to serve as IMU President, following Shigefumi Mori (2015–2018).

The Fields Medal is awarded to young mathematicians under the age of 40 who have made outstanding contributions to the field. It is considered one of the highest honors in mathematics, and is often referred to as the Nobel Prize of Mathematics. First awarded in 1936, it is now presented every four years to two to four recipients during the opening ceremony of the International Congress of Mathematicians.

The IMU was established in 1920 and currently consists of members from more than 80 countries. As chair of the Fields Medal Selection Committee, Nakajima announced to the world the names of the mathematicians who are breaking new ground in modern mathematics.

This year’s recipients were as follows.

Yu Deng, University of Chicago
John Pardon, Stony Brook University
Jacob Tsimerman, University of Toronto
Hong Wang, New York University / Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques

“The Fields Medal recognizes extraordinary mathematical achievement and the promise of future contributions. As President of the International Mathematical Union, I had the honor of chairing the committee that selected this year’s recipients after a careful and thoughtful review of nominations from around the world. The four medalists exemplify the depth, originality and vitality of contemporary mathematics, and we are delighted to celebrate their achievements at the International Congress of Mathematicians,” said Nakajima.

The International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), organized by the IMU, is the largest international conference in the mathematical community, covering all fields of mathematics. This year, the ICM 2026 is being held in Philadelphia from July 23 to 30, and is expected to attract thousands of mathematicians from around the world.

Nakajima is a leading expert on geometric representation theory, which bridges geometry and representation theory, and has had a significant impact on multiple fields of mathematics through his work, including quiver varieties. In July 2022, he was elected as IMU President, and is serving a four-year term beginning in January 2023, overlooking the organization's General Assembly and the Fields Medal Selection Committee.

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