Asian Pacific Congress of Nephrology in Seoul

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Just recently I have reported to you about having participated briefly in the meeting of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) after a long interval.

I returned from Doha to Japan in the evening of June 1st.  Next day, I headed to the Yagami Campus of Keio University to give a lecture as part of the SONY lecture series on Innovation  organized by Professor Mario Tokoro, President of SONY CSL.  The day after, June 3rd, after taking care of several things I flew to Seoul to join the Asian Pacific Congress of Nephrology (Ref.1) held at COEX.  My first program was to appear in the Opening Plenary as co-chair with Professor Ho Yung LEE, the President of APCN.

I truly enjoyed reunions with lots of colleagues who came to participate from Asia-Pacific and countries like US and EU.  During my appointment as Counselor and later as the President of ISN I used to catch every opportunity to travel abroad, so to see many of the young people; many of them whom I met in those days have been turning into leaders in their country and the world, was a tremendous joy for me.  Speaking of myself, I had the honor of receiving the first ‘Priscila Kincaid-Smith Award’  founded at the last meeting two years ago.  Dr. Kincaid-Smith is a renowned Australia based physician and researcher, especially known for her world class contribution in the advancement of nephrology and was elected the first President of ISN from Asian Pacific (she was also the first female ISN President).  I have had the honor of being in touch with her in many occasions.

The reception hosted by President Lee was held at the annex of Walkerhill Hilton  (the garden of Aston House  (the photos are seen in this web site) which is known to many through a popular Korean TV series ‘Hotelier’ .  I hear that this place was built for the meeting of Heads of North and South Koreas.  At the reception I had a great time talking with many old and new friends.

On 7th, left Seoul from Incheon International Airport  to New York JFK, a 14 hours’ flight.

Japan, UK, US, Korea Cancer Clinical Trials International Symposium ? A Report

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In my May 29th posting I have reported that we hosted Japan, UK, US, Korea cancer clinical trials international symposium.

A report on this meeting is now uploaded on the web site of Health Policy Institute 

Every session was excellent, but from Japan’s standpoint, the rapid internationalization and growth of Korean clinical trials in the last few years was impressive and very much worth focusing.  Details are illustrated in the slides (especially the latter half, #7 and after) of Professor Yung-Jue Bang of Seoul University, the 3rd presentation in the plenary session (first presentation was by Dr. Miyata of Ministry of Health, second was Dr. Kondo, Chief Executive of PMDA).  Please note that cancer or oncology is now the largest stream of clinical trials in Korea.　

I think that these rapid changes were possible through the excellent co-operations and leadership among government agencies, universities, health care stakeholders, indurstry etc., strong initiatives in prioritization, good decisions and quick actions for internationalization (introduction of international standard systems).

For Japan, the fastest way would be to participate aggressively in multiple international clinical trials right from the early phases, simultaneously.  Understanding, co-operations, and pressure of patients advocacy and their family would be crucially necessary to make it possible.

The so-called ‘Drug Lag’ is not just a problem of regulatory agency, but equally important factors are the speed of decisions of companies and clinical trials process

Japan, UK, US, Korea ? Cancer Clinical Trials International Symposium

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On May 25th, in a very pleasant weather, Japan, UK, US and Korea held an international symposium on cancer clinical trials at the British Embassy. At the opening, British Ambassador H.E. Warren, American Ambassador H.E. Roos (see May 27th article of ‘News from the Embassy’, the web site of the American Embassy in Japan), and Minister Hwang, Soon-Taik of Korean Embassy gave speech.  I made remarks as the Chairman of Health Policy Institute of Japan followed by Dr. Agnes Chan  who closed the ceremony as the Goodwill Ambassador of Japan Cancer Society.

Regarding clinical trials, trilateral conference (ICH: International Conference on Harnomization） continued for 20 years. In these years Japan tried to respond to the constant requests by US and Europe to speed up its work, and until just recently the problem of ‘Drug Lag’ was also being called to attention within Japan.
 
Nowadays, world affairs are changing rapidly with increasing participation of Asia and fast growing markets as the background.  FDA of the United States has been sending their staff to China and India for many years to provide training and education so as to make common bases for clinical trials or the common system of approval of new drugs in these emerging markets. This is precisely what I call a strategic action and thinking based on good visions.  Europe is also speeding its participation, and all are working restlessly to become the ‘core of Asia’.

Korea’s rapid change was again clear from their presentation at this conference.   UK, US, and Korea sent their specialists and Japanese participants included President of PMDA and Ministry of Health.  I understand that Japanese government has launched a growth strategy, ‘Life Innovation’, and I am curious to know what sort of strategic policies they would craft.

The programs, participants, references, and reports of the symposium and action plans recommendation to our government and other stakeholders will be uploaded on the web site of ‘Health Policy Institute, Japan’, so I will report to you once they are available.

A New Program of Canada

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On May 3rd, the Canadian government announced the launch of the new 5 year ‘Global Challenges Canada’ program. 

While this program collaborates with the ‘Grand Challenge Explorations’ program of the Gates Foundation, its major objective is to have Canadian researchers (though not limited) contribute to the improvement of poverty, health, public health, health care of the developing countries that participate in this program.

The program is limited to 5 years but it is an approach to construct a ‘Win-Win’ relationship with the developing countries through new form of scientific technology diplomacy. With and through the outcomes of this program, Canada is apparently trying to strengthen its presence in international agenda.

I am supporting this program as a member of the scientific advisory board,  but in Japan also, I am happy to report that cooperation with the World Bank will possibly be enhanced, Japan’s ongoing aids to African countries were recognized and approved, JICA and JST are continuing its collaborations in a number of projects.

Promoting multi dimensional effort toward MDG and other goals to fulfill the different needs of the developing countries ? from the poorest to the fairly developed ? together with many ongoing bilateral cooperation or multi nation organizations such as the World Bank is very helpful for the good of human security and the realization of MDG.

Also, it will be important than ever before to collaborate with other nations, and exchange information.

There are still many, many things that Japan can do to help solve the problems of the world.

Think for yourself what each one of you can do to contribute. The point is how you see “the world from Japan and Japan from the world”.

‘Asia Vision 21’; by Harvard and NUS, From Singapore

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On April 29th and 30th、‘Asia Vision 21’ was held under the auspices of National University of Singapore Lee Kwan Yew School of Public Policy and Harvard University Ash Center.  I have been invited by the Ash Center for several years to attend this Program, but had been unable to until this year.  I am to join the panel on Biotech.

Dean of Lee Kwan Yew School of Public Policy (Ref.1) , Dr. Kishore Mahbubani, is widely known by his books.  Dr. Mahbubani has been quite visible these years around the world, has been a diplomat for many years, and his discerning wisdom is great.  I have introduced him to you in my blog postings (Ref.1) several times in the past.

Participants from Harvard were also very interesting, including the well known Professors Ezra Vogel, and Arthur Kleinman, Director of Asia Center.   I was with Dr. Kleinman this January during my visit to Boston and we enjoyed a rounds of Martini.  I might add that I was quite filled up then.

The two days session was a very stimulating opportunity, particularly to me to learn much about Asian politics and economy in global world since there were so many experts and first class debaters of this field.  I also made new friends, which is one of the many reasons why attending this sort of meetings is such a pleasure and eye-opening.

I slightly regret to have to say that I can not introduce you in full about the speakers and participants since the host maintains a policy not to post the record of this meeting even on web..

I was at the Breakout Session ‘Flashpoints in Asia’ on the 2nd day where there were about 10 participants. The Co-Chairs of the session Professors Astrid Tuminez,  and Huang Jing, both at NUS, were superb as moderators as well as depth of knowledge and thoughts-provoking comments and questions. Various views, insightful observations by expert participants were full of valuable lessons, and I was quite stimulated.  Harvard University is of course a great source of talents, but the National University of Singapore is also attracting wonderful faculties creating quite a vibrant atmosphere of ‘pulling power’..

Four Days in Toronto; ACP, University of Toronto, and So On

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I arrived at Toronto on April 21st.  It is my 3rd visit since last May and October.  This time it is for the annual meeting of American College of Physicians (ACP).  Although I am the Governer of ACP Japan Chapter (Ref.1) , I had to be excused these several years because of my tight schedule and I am very thankful that Dr. Ueno, the Vice Governor who attended there in my place.  I came back to this meeting after some time, but it turned out to be a wonderful opportunity to see lots of old friends and new leaders.  Such encounters are truly nice and heartwarming.

Although Japan Chapter is the only Chapter of ACP outside the Americas our activities are being observed and known by the organization including the head office.   In fact, we were awarded honors for two consecutive years this year.  I think this is very much the result of the hard works of committees on activities of women physicians, professionalism  (in Japanese), and young physicians who lead the clinical educational projects in an effort to increase the number of memberships of residents and students.

This year, 7 new fellows (FACP) were welcomed, Dr. Kobayashi, the new governor elect of Japan Chapter, was appointed to Master (MACP), and Dr. Teramoto, Chair of the Board of Regents of Japanese Society of Internal Medicine, was awarded Honorary Fellow.  I had a great time participating in the ceremony and sharing time with these people.  By a sheer coincidence, I was able to meet also with a few young Japanese physicians who ‘jumped out’ from Japanese ‘Ikyoku system (hierarchical system of physicians organized by the head professor)’ and currently working actively in the United States.  A poster by a resident at Kameda Medical Center was chosen for the poster session.  These activities were awarded also.  Dr. Ohara who supervised this resident doctor also participated.  I was delighted to see all these things happening.

Programs included many topics related to practice, education, residency training in relation with the challenges that clinical practice face today, and each participant was very hotly involved in every session.  In the opening, Dr. James Orbinski working for Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontiers)   delivered a wonderful special lecture ‘Equity and Global Health’ which moved the hearts of everyone who listened.

Finding a short free time between various committees, receptions, programs, I managed to visit University of Toronto to have a brief conversation with the President, Dr. David Naylor.  It’s been a year since I talked with him last time.  (Since my appointment was at 5pm on Friday, the last of the week, we enjoyed a lively conversation over a small drink.)  Also, I  met senior faculty of the Munk School of Global Affairs to discuss collaborative projects with GRIPS, been to MARS to talk about the progress of our new Global Health Project with Dr. Peter Singer (I am involved in this, too. We expect to have official press interview on May 23rd), to Gairdner Foundation to seeDr. John Dirks (Ref.1).

As I talked with these people, I touched on the topic of Asahi Newspaper’s (Shinbun)  ‘Globe’ special feature on ‘Canada’ which I have written about in my last posting.  It is such a waste, ‘Mottainai’, not to have this wonderful special feature of Asahi Shinbun translated into English.

All through my four days’ stay at this charming city of Toronto, the weather was wonderful.  I went to the CN Tower, too.  Please enjoy the views from the top of the tower.

Canada: From Asahi ‘Globe’

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The Asahi Shinbun has been issuing 8 pages special features twice a month for several years now.  Its contents, topics are quite unique, and I enjoy reading them very much.

As the title shows, each issue analyzes ‘The Globe and Japan’ from different perspectives and from a very large point of view.  They are truly nice special issues.  I imagine that this idea came from the Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Funabashi because it reflects what he has been in various global stages..
 
What makes this even more impressive is that all articles are available for reading‘On-line’ (in Japanese) After they are printed on the newspapers they will post full articles within several days.

The new April 21st issue focused on ‘Canada’.   I was also interviewed perhaps because I have broad connections with faculties and students of Canadian universities (Ref.1) (Please search by keyword of ‘Canada’ for more columns in this web site).

This feature begins like this; ‘Japan and Canada both has a risk of being overlooked because of the super-powers beside them.  How to cope with this circumstance is our challenge for the 21st century….   In meetings of Japanese and Canadian university faculties such topic was raised…..’  Please read for yourself and find out how it continues.  Canada has a population of about 10% of the U.S.A, and so do Japan which is 10% of China.  The article is of quite interest in discussing how Canada manages to collaborate with the Giant neighbor, U.S.A on one hand and keep one’s identity on the other hand.

Canada is one of my favorite countries, too.  To put it in one sentence, I might describe Canada as ‘a country that inherited the good things of Great Britain and put away with the social classes of the British society.’  ‘The good things of Great Britain’ would be; that with a bit of socialism, its functioning democratic system, quality higher education, has a number of wonderful universities.  Regarding the health care system of Canada which is run as a core public sector as Michael Moore shows in his film, the quality of care is high, co-payments are low for the patients, and is trusted from the people.  The quality of physicians and faculties are also superb.

Canada was the country least affected by the financial crisis in 2008.  The banks stayed outside sub-primes.

I came to Toronto yesterday.  At dinner, I heard that even in Calgary, a city of 1.3 million, large proportion of local residents has habit of not locking the entrance door of their homes.  A good old life style still remains.  This episode is introduced in the film of Michael Moore, too.

I have one request to the Asahi Shinbun.  Why not have such wonderful features translated in English, on its ‘On-line’ version at least?  It is very ‘mottainai (wasting good things)’ to limit the readers to Japanese only.

Feelings of the New Fresh Air; Some of My Experiences

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April is the beginning of new academic/fiscal year and since the month started I have had several opportunities to notice moves here and there for creating new society.

One of them was an invitation to a gathering on ‘Innovation to Change the Society’ in a broad sense, to listen to the story ofKahena-san and Leanne Grillo-san of Reos Partners, who, through a moving experience of participating the processes of ending Apartheid of South Africa during their young age, are working to promote dialogue between opposing parties.  As you may somehow feel from their web site, their talk was about a very important basic stance that they acquired through experience of a very difficult situation of working with many groups of different stakeholders.

There were about 10 or so people invited.  Half of them were women and none of them had ‘single track career’.  The remaining men also had a variety of careers including those at overseas, rather than ‘single track career’, working actively making positive changes to this society.  There were only a few men on ‘single track career’ but they were joining in social activities outside from their regular job duties.  This event was organized by SoL (Society for Organizational Learning) Japan branch.

It was a very nice meeting. I could feel the will to make positive changes in society or the flattening world through actions of each Japanese individual where change has been very difficult for various reasons that people use as excuses.  I was fascinated to see these wonderful people.

Another was the annual meeting  (in Japanese) of ACP (American College of Physicians) Japan Chapter (Ref.1, 2). I felt that this meeting is growing steadily and nicely involving more young people as active participants discussing issues such as women doctors, ‘professionalism’, skill ups of case presentation.  This year again we welcomed several American physicians including Dr. Gremillion as well as Japanese physicians who have been back from residency training in USA, which apparently demonstrated the power and contribution to young physicians and medical students.  I joined nijikai (post-party party) and sanjikai (post-post-party party) and was delighted to see many highly motivated young physicians and students and residents motivated with high spirits.  Thanks to you all!

Also, I was able to spend a short time at ‘Nexus’ – a meeting hosted by International Society of Nephrology ? to see, after some time, many old and new friends from all over the world.

It would be wonderful for the future of Japan if young people could connect to the broad world while they are young, nurture their talents/potentials so as to be able to consider careers in international as well as in our country.

It was a truly encouraging and happy experience to see many young Japanese at many different places making various efforts to find new values for the new flattening world and sense/witness the growth of the new generation.

From Accra, Ghana – 2： Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize Symposium

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‘Hideyo Noguchi Afriza Prize Symposium’ was  held for one full day on March 9th.  The venue of the Symposium is also within this hotel. http://www.gbhghana.net/la-palm/meeting-facilities

I am here as the Chair of ‘Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize https://kiyoshikurokawa.com/en/2008/05/hideyo-noguchi.html http://www.cao.go.jp/noguchisho/index-e.html Symposium’.  Hideyo Noguchi Prize, as I have reported several times in this web site, was inaugurated two years ago as the first and only prize under the auspices of the government of Japan.  We had the honor of the presence of HIH Crown Prince of Japan at the symposium.  I understand that this is his first visit to Sub-Sahara.  The winners of the inaugural Award, Drs Greenwood and Were also joined with us.

The program opened with my welcome speech, and speech by the Vice President of Ghana, Mr. John Mahama and HIH Crown Prince of Japan.  After the speeches Drs. Greenwood and Were gave lectures.  HIH Crown Prince and the Vice President left the venue at the end of these speeches and lectures.

In the afternoon we had a nice lively panel which closed with a presentation by two young people from UZNA foundation (founded by Dr.Were) of a “picture-story show of ‘Story of Hideyo Noguchi’” and recitation of a poem. The performance was quite moving. I asked Dr. Were to video-record this last session by all means and post it on the website of UZMA.  I will post its URL once it appears on the web.

In the afternoon speakers and panelists were presented to HIH Crown Prince who has returned for this occasion.  A reception followed as is reported (in Japanese) in the March 9th posting in the blog http://blog.canpan.info/sasakawa of Mr. Sasagawa, President of Nippon Foundation, one of the panelists.

HIH Crown Prince is following a very tight schedule, I understand.  I sincerely hope that the Crown Prince will be spared from excessive fatigue during the rest of his travel.

In Ghana, Japan, and elsewhere, televisions, newspapers, on-line medias are covering the event.  I assume that there are many more but here are some examples.
Ghana news coverage;
http://www.graphicghana.com/news/page.php?news=6722
http://www.graphicghana.com/news/page.php?news=6705
http://mobile.ghanaweb.com/wap/article.php?ID=176510
http://mobile.ghanaweb.com/wap/article.php?ID=178171
http://www.afriquejet.com/news/africa-news/japanese-crown-prince-urges-int%27l-effort-against-infectious-diseases-2010031045535.html

Japan：
<Japan Times Online>
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20100311a7.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+japantimes+%28The+Japan+Times%3A+All+Stories%29
<Royal Family News (in Japanese)>　http://worldtimes.co.jp/today/photonews/100310/100310-1.html
< Daily Sports (in Japanese)>
http://www.nikkansports.com/general/news/f-gn-tp0-20100310-604410.html
< Sanin- Chuo newspaper (in Japanese)>
http://www.sanin-chuo.co.jp/newspack/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1030617011
<４７ News (in Japanese)> http://www.47news.jp/CN/201003/CN2010030901000989.html

From Accra, Ghana – 1

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On March 7th, I left Paris, flew via London to land Accra, the capital city of Ghana, at 10pm.  Accra is located at ‘Latitude 4゜33’00’’ North, Longitude 0゜12’00’’ West’ , an equatorial position, almost ‘0, 0’.  The instant I was out of the aircraft, I felt a very, very, ‘hot, sultry’ air.  ‘La Palm Royal Beach Hotel’ that stands besides the coastline, is the venue of the meeting and also our accommodation.

This visit is to serve as the Chair of ‘Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize Symposium’.  The Prize was inaugurated two years ago as the first and only prize under the auspices of the government of Japan.  We had the honor of the presence of HIH Crown Prince of Japan at the symposium.  I understand that this is his first visit to Sub-Sahara.  The winners of the inaugural Award, Drs Greenwood and Were also participated.

Mr. Yohei Sasagawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation who is hopping all over the world tirelessly and Professor Kiyoshi Kita of University of Tokyo also joined with us.  It’s been a long time since I saw Dr Kita last time – a nice and encouraging reunion.

On 8th, I had discussion with NIH Fogerty Program, Japanese delegates of Ministries of Foreign Affairs and of Health, JICA, etc., Professor Nobuo Oota of Tokyo Medical and Dental University with other Japanese scientists working at Noguchi Institute, some of African experts participating this Symposium and so on to discuss and draft possible inputs to the agenda on ‘Global Health’ of the G8 Summit which will be held in Canada this year.

At the Davos meeting of January this year, Prime Minister Harper stated that ‘Maternal and Child Health’  be an agenda of his G8 Summit.  Japan has been making a great contribution in this area (‘Global Health’) since it set the foundation of Global Fund at the 2000 Okinawa Kyusyu G8 Summit as the host, and again its follow ups at the 2008 Toyako Summit.  Especially when we take into account the fact that this year’s Summit may be the last ‘G8 Summit’ along with the poor progress of MDGs, I am but concerned how ‘Global Health’ will develop after the ‘G8 Summit’….

In the evening, a reception was held welcoming the two Laureates, participants from Africa, Ghana, Japanese delegates from Cabinet Administration Office (Naikakufu), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, JICA, etc.   Anyway, the hot, soggy climate here is overwhelming.  I sweated all the time.