OSAKA -- This year's Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine laureate Shimon Sakaguchi socialized with students majoring in the Swedish language at the University of Osaka's School of Foreign Studies on Nov. 19, ahead of the Nobel ceremony in Sweden this December.

The exchange event took place at the Minoh Campus in the Osaka Prefecture city of Minoh, with around 70 participants including Sakaguchi, students and faculty members. Sakaguchi, 74, a distinguished honorary professor at the university, was welcomed as an "exchange student" traveling from Japan to Sweden, with faculty and students with experience studying abroad introducing the country's society and culture.

In a Swedish language lecture, Sakaguchi was also introduced to Sweden's hospitality culture, which is integral to the Nobel award ceremony. Professor Daisuke Furuya, 54, advised, "When toasting, it is polite to maintain eye contact without looking away. The gaze is more important than the words."

Although Sakaguchi has visited Sweden before, he admitted to knowing only one word in Swedish -- "tack" (thank you), and revealed that he finds it challenging to maintain eye contact while talking. "You can't avoid it when abroad. I want to study Swedish a bit more," he said.

Shoko Inaba, a 21-year-old fourth-year Swedish major, commented, "Winter in Sweden can be cold and gloomy, but there are many events like Christmas. I hope professor Sakaguchi will enjoy the unique atmosphere of winter there."

(Japanese original by Sonoko Nakamura, Osaka Lifestyle, Science & Environment News Department)