Japan’s Nippon Foundation Injects $210M into Osaka University’s 10-Year Infectious Diseases Research Plan

The Nippon Foundation announced September 14 that it will inject $210 million (23 billion yen) to support the Infectious Disease Control Project, managed by Osaka University, for 10 years. The university had established a research center for infectious diseases back in April 2021.

Japan’s COVID Cases Subsided But Extended State of Emergency Persists

Japan’s daily COVID-19 cases reached their peak in late August but subsided in the past two weeks. However, the Japanese government is still extending the state of emergency in 19 prefectures to September 30, including Tokyo, Hokkaido, Osaka, Aichi, and Fukuoka.

According to the WHO, Japan has fully vaccinated 60 million people, reaching a vaccination rate of 48%.

3 Goals to Achieve in the 10-Year Plan

The pandemic disrupted Japan’s medical system and economic growth. To stop Japan from taking a hit in the next pandemic, the collaboration aims to develop forward-looking strategies to tackle critical issues the country has failed to address.

There are 3 goals in the 10-year plan. The first is to promote basic research of infectious diseases. The center will conduct research to understand the mechanism of the human immune system, antigens, and microbes related to the diseases, and develop treatments against them. 

Osaka University has made its name in the field of basic medicine, immunology, microbial diseases. The capacity of the research center can allow up to 90 researchers.

Next, the research will delve into social psychology and behavioral economics. The partnership is expected to deliver results that can decrease the impact of pandemics and maximize the range of allowed economic and social activities. Moreover, the center will provide insights to the government and accelerate decision-making when infectious diseases hit.

Last but not least, Osaka University will train over 10,000 medical talents to combat infectious diseases so that the medical system won’t collapse from a lack of manpower.

Author

Tyler Chen

"Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died."- Erma Bombeck