Origins & Early Life

Makoto Kobayashi (小林 誠, Kobayashi Makoto; born April 7, 1944) is a Japanese physicist known for his work on CP-violation who was awarded one-fourth of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physics "for the discovery of the origin of the broken symmetry which predicts the existence of at least three families of quarks in nature." Makoto Kobayashi was born in Nagoya, Japan in 1944. When he was two years old, Kobayashi's father Hisashi died. The Kobayashi family home was destroyed by the Bombing of Nagoya, so they stayed at his mother's (surnamed Kaifu) family house. One of Makoto's cousins, Toshiki Kaifu, the 51st Prime Minister of Japan, was living in the same place.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His other cousin was an astronomer, Norio Kaifu. Many years later, Toshiki Kaifu recalled Kobayashi: "when he was a child, he was a quiet and lovely boy, always reading some difficult books in my room. I think this is the beginning of his sudden change into a genius." After graduating from the School of Science of Nagoya University in 1967, he obtained a DSc degree from the Graduate School of Science of Nagoya University in 1972. During college years, he received guidance from Shoichi Sakata and others....

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aimee Semple McPherson — Contemporary (Died in 1944) (1944): Pioneering Pentecostal evangelist, famous for founding the Foursquare Church.
• Alan Parker — Contemporary (Born in 1944) (1944): Acclaimed English filmmaker known for genre versatility and numerous BAFTA and Golden Globe wins.
• Ban Ki-moon — Contemporary (Born in 1944) (1944): South Korean diplomat who served as the UN Secretary-General from 2007 to 2016.
• Alan J. Pakula — Shared historical date (04-07 · Born) (1928): American film director, writer, and producer known for political thrillers.
• Alexander Bogdanov — Shared historical date (04-07 · Died) (1928): Polymath philosopher, pioneer of blood transfusion, and key Bolshevik revolutionary.
• Barry White — Historical peer (Born in 1944) (1944): Iconic R&B, Soul, and Disco Singer known for his powerful bass voice.
• Bernie Worrell — Historical peer (Born in 1944) (1944): Pioneering keyboardist and producer, instrumental in shaping funk and hip-hop sounds.
• Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn — Historical peer (Died in 2008) (2008): Dissident author who exposed Soviet repression, notably the Gulag system.
• Arthur C. Clarke — Historical peer (Died in 2008) (2008): Pioneering science fiction writer, futurist, and popularizer of space travel.
• Aleksandr Karelin — Historical peer (Born in 1967) (1967): Dominant Greco-Roman wrestler, nicknamed the "Russian Bear", celebrated for unmatched Olympic success.
• 1944 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1944
• April 7 (04-07) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on April 7