Japanese mathematician Kashiwara Kuniyama awarded the Abel Prize in 2025.

Kashiwara Kuniki, a Japanese mathematician, has been awarded the Abel Prize, considered the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in mathematics. Dr. Kashiwara’s work combines algebra, geometry, and differential equations in a unique and abstract manner.

The Norwegian Academy of Sciences and Letters, responsible for the Abel Prize, announced the honor on Wednesday morning.

“He resolved difficult open speculations and connected previously unknown areas, surprising mathematicians,” said Helge Holden, chairman of the awards committee.

Mathematicians can use connections between different mathematical domains to address complex problems and gain a deeper understanding.

Kawakaze, 78, from Kyoto University, is considered “very important in many different fields of mathematics,” stated Holden.

Dr. Kashiwara, when asked if his work solved real-world problems, responded with a negative. The honor comes with approximately $700,000 in prize money.

Unlike Nobel Prize winners, Dr. Kashiwara was informed of his accolade a week prior to the public announcement.

The Norwegian Academy surprises Abel Prize winners with notifications similar to surprise birthday parties.

Real-world phenomena are explained using real and imaginary numbers, showcasing the interconnection between mathematics and the physical world.

Dr. Kashiwara’s impactful work in mathematics links abstract ideas to insightful combinations for mathematicians across various disciplines.

His innovative approaches, such as the Crystal Base, have opened new avenues of research in the field.