An international collaboration, including four researchers from Japan, has been awarded the 2026 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics. The team was recognized for its precise measurement of the magnetic properties of the muon, a fundamental subatomic particle similar to an electron but heavier.
The award, announced on April 20, 2026, honors the work of the Muon g-2 collaboration, which conducted experiments at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) in the United States. The team's findings, which showed a significant discrepancy between theoretical predictions and experimental results, could point to new physics beyond the Standard Model.
The four Japanese laureates are key contributors from institutions including the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) and the University of Tokyo. Their work involved critical roles in designing the experiment's storage ring and developing the precise measurement techniques required for the landmark result.
The Breakthrough Prize, founded by Sergey Brin, Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, Yuri and Julia Milner, and Anne Wojcicki, is one of the world's most prestigious scientific awards. The 2026 prize includes a $3 million award to be shared among the collaboration.
