# Toshihide Maskawa

> Japanese theoretical physicist (1940–2021)

**Wikidata**: [Q202168](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q202168)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toshihide_Maskawa)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/toshihide-maskawa

## Summary
Toshihide Maskawa was a Japanese theoretical physicist (1940–2021) who, along with Makoto Kobayashi, developed the Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix, a framework explaining CP violation in particle physics. This work earned them the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physics, revolutionizing our understanding of fundamental symmetries in the universe.

## Biography
- Born: February 7, 1940, in Nagoya, Japan
- Nationality: Japanese
- Education: Nagoya University (PhD in Physics)
- Known for: Co-developing the Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix to explain CP violation in particle physics
- Employer(s): Nagoya University, Kyoto University, Kyoto Sangyo University
- Field(s): Theoretical particle physics

## Contributions
- Developed the Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix (1972) with Makoto Kobayashi, explaining CP violation in the Standard Model of particle physics. This framework resolved a long-standing discrepancy in quark interactions, earning them the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physics.
- Established the Kobayashi-Maskawa Institute for the Origin of Particles and the Universe at Nagoya University, fostering research in fundamental physics.
- Authored numerous influential papers on particle physics, including key contributions to the understanding of quark mixing and CP symmetry breaking.

## FAQs
### What was Toshihide Maskawa's most significant contribution to physics?
Toshihide Maskawa's most significant contribution was co-developing the Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix with Makoto Kobayashi, which explained CP violation in particle physics. This work earned them the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physics and became a cornerstone of the Standard Model.

### Where did Toshihide Maskawa work during his career?
Toshihide Maskawa worked at Nagoya University, Kyoto University, and Kyoto Sangyo University, where he made significant contributions to theoretical physics and established research institutions.

### What award did Toshihide Maskawa receive?
Toshihide Maskawa received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2008, jointly with Makoto Kobayashi, for their work on CP violation in particle physics. He also received the Order of Culture, the Person of Cultural Merit, and other prestigious awards.

### What is the Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix?
The Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix is a 3×3 unitary matrix that describes how quarks mix and interact, explaining CP violation in particle physics. It was developed by Toshihide Maskawa and Makoto Kobayashi and is fundamental to understanding quark flavor physics.

## Why They Matter
Toshihide Maskawa's work on CP violation transformed particle physics, providing a framework to explain why matter dominates over antimatter in the universe. His contributions to the Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix resolved a critical inconsistency in the Standard Model, influencing generations of physicists and shaping modern theories of fundamental forces. His research at Nagoya University and Kyoto Sangyo University also established key institutions in particle physics, ensuring continued advancements in the field. Without his work, our understanding of quark interactions and the origins of matter would remain incomplete.

## Notable For
- Co-recipient of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physics for the Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix
- Founder of the Kobayashi-Maskawa Institute for the Origin of Particles and the Universe
- Recipient of the Order of Culture, Person of Cultural Merit, and other prestigious awards
- Author of foundational papers on CP violation and quark mixing
- Professor at Nagoya University, Kyoto University, and Kyoto Sangyo University

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Toshihide Maskawa was born on February 7, 1940, in Nagoya, Japan. He earned his PhD in Physics from Nagoya University, where he began his academic career. His early work focused on theoretical particle physics, setting the stage for his groundbreaking contributions to quark interactions.

### Career and Research
Maskawa joined Nagoya University as a professor, where he established the Kobayashi-Maskawa Institute for the Origin of Particles and the Universe. This institute became a leading center for research in particle physics and cosmology. His collaboration with Makoto Kobayashi on the Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix (1972) was pivotal in explaining CP violation, a phenomenon that had puzzled physicists for decades. This work earned them the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2008.

### Academic Affiliations
Throughout his career, Maskawa held positions at prestigious institutions, including Kyoto University and Kyoto Sangyo University. His teaching and mentorship at these universities helped shape the next generation of physicists. He also served as a member of the Japan Academy and the Science Council of Japan, contributing to national scientific policy.

### Awards and Recognition
Maskawa received numerous accolades, including the Nobel Prize in Physics (2008), the Order of Culture, the Person of Cultural Merit, and other honors. His work was recognized internationally for its impact on fundamental physics and theoretical understanding.

### Legacy
Toshihide Maskawa's legacy endures through his contributions to particle physics, the Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix, and the institutions he helped establish. His research continues to influence modern theories of quark interactions and the origins of matter, ensuring his place as a foundational figure in theoretical physics.

## References

1. LIBRIS. 2018
2. [Source](http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/2008/)
3. [Source](https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/about/amounts/)
4. [Source](https://eps-hepp.web.cern.ch/hepp-prize-awards.php)
5. [Source](https://www.aps.org/programs/honors/prizes/sakurai.cfm)
6. [Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China](http://www.moe.gov.cn/s78/A22/xwb_left/moe_829/201802/t20180228_328136.html)
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. CiNii Research
10. [Source](http://www.japan-acad.go.jp/en/members/4/maskawa_toshihide.html)
11. [nobelprize.org](http://data.nobelprize.org/page/laureate/828)
12. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
13. Munzinger Personen
14. [Source](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/fr/news/313544/)
15. [Source](https://physicsworld.com/a/japanese-nobel-prize-winning-particle-physicist-toshihide-maskawa-dies-aged-81/)
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. KAKEN