＜子どもの未来＞天才小学生数学者の“その後”

This is a special feature segment on TOKYO MX NEWS, where we delve into the "future of children" from every angle. This time, we're taking a closer look at the Masayoshi Son Educational Foundation, which we've previously covered. Founded by SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son, this foundation supports young talent by fully subsidizing overseas study expenses and other programs with Son's own pocket money, with no repayment obligations. We followed up on the story of the "genius elementary school mathematician" featured in our July broadcast. On December 20th, the foundation held a briefing. Son's gaze is fixed on the researchers who will carry Japan's future. A group of children, still sporting innocent expressions, were gathered at a table in one corner. Savoring their beloved sushi, was Hiroto Takahashi (12), a sixth-grade elementary school student who joined the foundation as part of its third class in 2019. Takahashi was the young genius mathematician who, at the time, became the youngest person in history to pass the Level 1 Mathematics Proficiency Test, a test with a pass rate of only 5.7%. Takahashi is the eldest of three brothers. His second son, Kaito (8), passed the Grade Pre-1 Mathematics Proficiency Test, and his third son, Minato Sho (6), passed the Grade 8 Mathematics Proficiency Test. They are truly "math brothers." Takahashi is currently engaged in collaborative research with Professor Emeritus Shigeru Iitaka of Gakushuin University, a world-renowned authority on algebraic geometry. Takahashi's research topic is "Conjectural approximations for the number of super twin primes and ultra triplet primes." Meanwhile, Takahashi, a sixth-grader, is also studying for his entrance exams, aiming to enter a prestigious junior high school in Tokyo, and is studying subjects other than mathematics. Takahashi shared his goals for junior high school: "I would like to be inspired by the people around me and pursue research in other areas of mathematics, and I would also like to delve deeper into number theory." Takahashi's exploration continues, striving for even greater heights.