healthcare – Page 14 – Kiyoshi Kurokawa.com

Influenza and Civilization

Posted on 2009/06/252014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

The "swine flu" outbreak that started in late April this year swept the whole world into a big fuss. Fortunately this time, the swift scientific analysis and action, together with the world wide sharing of information seem to have succeeded in preventing disastrous human, social, or economical damage.

If we look back carefully into our history as human beings, it is clear that our past had been a constant battle with pandemics, and basically, as mankind and their activities spread over this planet, this battle will inevitably keep on taking place repeatedly.

From this perspective, I have written an article "Influenza and Civilization"(in Japanese) in the July edition of monthly magazine "Shincyo 45"(in Japanese).

Look back into the history and think about the future. This is a very important large scale framework for thinking, whatever the theme may be.

"A Brief History of the Future: A Brave and Controversial Look at the Twenty-First Century" by Jacque Atalli was published in 2006, and its Japanese translation in 2008. This book writes about the history of mankind in a tremendous large scale and aims to foresee the world as it may be in the 21st century. The change described here is of an unbelievably high speed, unimaginable from our current common sense. But this could really happen.

From Toronto-2

Posted on 2009/05/152014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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It’s Saturday, May 2nd and the "swine flu" news are all over the place. In the afternoon, I went to the University of Toronto again, this time to the Massey College. The College is located just on the opposite side of yesterday’s Munk Center. I went to see my old friend, Dr. John Dirks who is in charge of the Gairdner award. It’s been 5 years since we met last time. Dr. Arimoto joined us from Washington DC where he was participating in the AAAS meeting. We spent approximately 1 hour in an old fashioned, elegant, somewhat small library of the College.

As I have reported in this blog, in the year of the 50th anniversary of the award two Japanese scientists-Drs. Yamanaka and Mori-were awarded so I went to pay a courtesy visit. I also heard about the awarding ceremony that will take place in October as well as various events being planned in celebration of the anniversary.

After this, I had an opportunity to see Prof. Jun Nogami. Dr. Nogami is the leading scientist of Canada Nanotech, nano-materials and I met him at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo this February when he was visiting Japan with Nanotech research promotion inspection party of Canada.

Photo1: At the Massey College with Drs. Dirks and Arimoto.

Photo2: With Drs. Nogami and Sunami.

Then, discussion with Dr. Peter Singer (Ref. 1, 2) on common topics including the agenda of next year’s G8 summit to be hosted by Canada.

In the evening, Prof. Ito Peng, her friend, Drs Arimoto, Sunami and I enjoyed nice dinner at "Sotto Sotto". The dessert was of course "Ice Wine." I was told that Japanese are the best customers.

Washington-3: From the World Bank

Posted on 2009/05/112014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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I did a lecture at the World Bank in January 2008 (Ref. 1, 2 ) and right after that we co-organized a Global Health Summit in Tokyo in February 2008. I believe that these activities were very helpful in building strong mutual trust and understanding. During my visit to Washington DC, from the morning of April 30, schedule was arranged for me to discuss about science and technology policy with special focus on African development for 4 hours.

In Japan, through 2008 TICAD4 (Ref. 1, 2 ) and meetings related to G8 Summit, policies are made to reinforce African development and eventually develop "Science and Technology diplomacy" (I have been advocating this for many years・・・) the movement which is prominent also in academies of Japan, U.S., and other countries where they are together working to build a system of mutual cooperation

What role is the Science and Technology policy of the World Bank capable to play to address the global issues of today’s drastically changing world is a great challenge. It was a good opportunity to advertise Japan’s policies since Japanese delegates had just returned from their tour on Science and Technology in Africa and their findings were reported at a conference in Tokyo recently. JBIC (Japan Bank for International Cooperation) and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) also participated from Japan and contributed to making the discussion lively. It was well received.

Photo1: At the World Bank with Secretary Ueda of the Embassy of Japan.

Below are some of the scenes from the Science, Technology and Innovation Capacity Building Partnership Meeting at the World Bank .

Photo2: Breakfast

Photo3: Drs Nina Fedoroff （Ref. 1）and Peter McPherson

Photo4: Dr. Alfred Watkins (Ref. 1） of the World Bank and Dr. Andrew Reynolds of UNAID

Photo5: From left; Drs Victor Hwang （T2 Venture Capitaｌ）, Christian Delvoie, Phillip Griffiths

Expectations of the world is high for Japan and indeed Japan is capable in making large contributions in many different ways but it seems to me that current domestic climate is somewhat sadly introverted. For current crisis, it is crucial for the political leaders to catch this opportunity of "once in 100 years" disaster to show national vision that shows strong determination to change reluctant Japan to meet today’s global needs. If not, the cool-headed world would treat Japan accordingly; as a nation not-worth-taking-seriously, and no international negotiations or top diplomacy would make meaningful differences whatsoever (by Funabashi, Editor in Chief). How much are we, although still economically the 2nd largest, communicating to the world our will, determination, and policies and how seriously does the world take them? I regret to say that "Japan Missing" is the world’s feeling towards our nation.

The “out of the box” Grand Challenges of the Gates Foundation

Posted on 2009/04/242014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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There is no room for argument that "peer review" is indispensable for application of research and evaluation of research papers. However, "Innovation" as I put it is "Creation of new social values" and they are more likely to rise from new ideas or "unreasonable," "out of box" type people or "nails that stick out." Therefore it can be said that "By definition, peer review is not compatible with innovation."

Peer reviews are necessary to guarantee the quality of research through evaluationar of methods or ideas, but by its nature it is inevitable that their thinking will be constrained within the framework of "the common sense of that age."

Activities of the Gates Foundation in the field of global health are already well known throughout, but another new program "Grand Challenges Explorations" launched two years ago. The program recruits bold unorthodox "out of box" plans and ideas from all over the world. Applicants must write a bold suggestion in two pages. If approved, they will win 100 thousand dollars’ grants. If the project produces a good looking outcome there is a possibility that the fund will be increased and continued.

Variety of amazingly fun and interesting ideas and research proposals are being selected. Three were selected from Japan. Among them was(were) research application(s) that were rejected by NIH – the grant known as highly competitive – for being too bold. Naturally!

The deadline for this round is May 29th. Why not visit the site above and think about applying?

Similar kind of competitive research funds are being set up in Great Britain etc. within these few years. Canon foundation also joined this movement and I am gladly helping them.

But how do we select? Here is another place where we can be imaginative. This is innovation, too.

Gairdner Award – Dr. Yamanaka, Dr. Mori and their wonderful predecessors

Posted on 2009/04/172014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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There are awards given in recognition of outstanding achievements in academic research. Variety of awards in the field of medicine or bioscience also exist, but I would count Gairdner Award, Lasker Award, and Nobel Prize as the most distinguished of them.

The Nobel Prize was founded in the dawn of the 20th century, 1901, and is well known throughout the world. Announcement of the recipients in October every year creates big news that are covered in full by mass media. It can be said that the list of award winners represent the history and progress of 100 years of science from the end of 19th century throughout the 20th century. Last year four Japanese (I will leave it to each one of you to ponder on the definition of "Japanese".), Drs. Nanbu, Kobayashi, Masukawa, and Shimomura were awarded this prize in the field of natural science and it was a big topic that allowed us to restore confidence in ourselves.

Lasker Award was founded in 1945. Its main awards are clinical medical research awards and basic medical research awards. Basic medical research awards were given to Hidesaburo Hanafusa in 1982, Susumu Tonegawa in 1987, Yasutomi Nishizuka in 1989, and Yoshio Masui in 1998. Clinical medical research award was given to Akira Endo in 2008. Among those recipients, Dr. Nishizuka and Dr. Endo were the only persons whose work in Japan were recognized as the major basis for the prize.

Gairdner Awards is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. This year two scientist from Kyoto University – Shinya Yamanaka and Kazutoshi Mori – won the prize. Dr. Yamanaka is famous in and out of Japan for his research on “iPS”, but the work of Dr. Mori is also wonderful though it is not as conspicuous.

As you can see from the article in Asahi Shinbun (2009/4/10), the winner of Gairdner Awards in Japan are – besides Tonegawa, Masui, and Nishizuka who are also Lasker Award winners – Kiminari Ishizuka, his spouse Teruko Ishizaka, and Seiji Ogawa. Dr. Nishizuka and the two (Yamanaka and Mori) of this year are the only people who was awarded basically for their research in Japan.

It looks as though both Lasker Award and Gairdner Award are sensitive about how many Nobel Prize winners will emerge from their award recipients. There also seems to be subtle difference in criteria of selections so it would be interesting to imagine what kind of arguments have taken place at the occasions. Especially, a number of discussions appeared in Nature etc. on why Dr. Masui was not included in the 2001 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine.

The only Japanese Nobel laureate in physiology or medicine is Dr. Tonegawa for the time being, but I look forward to see more winners in the future.

Dr. Seiji Ogawa is the only Japanese appearing on the list of 125 scientists who has contributed to the progress of science in the history of mankind. The list is in the "in binding" (if you by any chance find this on the web, please let me know…) of July 1st edition of 125th anniversary issues of "Science". He discovered fMRA theory which is now widely used in the research of human brain functions.

Future of Japan and Korea. To learn lessons from Gozo Sato and succeed his legacy

Posted on 2009/02/262014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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In my previous posting, I briefly commented on Dr. Gozo Sato, a doctor who has done so much for the medical education in Korean Peninsula in the early 20th century.A good report is written by Mr. Deguchi (Ref. 1 , 2 ), a journalist who kindly accompanied me to Seoul in October 2007.

After a year and four month from this visit to Seoul, on February 20, 2009, I organized a gathering at National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) where I work, to find out what lessons we can learn from the works of Dr. Gozo Sato and to think what we can for the good of future generations.

It was a fantastic gathering. But I will leave it to the talents of Mr. Deguchi to cover and report the details in a wonderfully professional way. Mr Koiwai, Editor-in-Chief of Science Portal also nicely reports this meeting.

I felt unexplainable ties. Strangely enough, we found out many connections between the people who came in a mysterious way that is hard even to imagine.

For instance, the parents of Counselor Christine Nakamura whom I have met at the Canadian Embassy on February 18th – just two days before – was also there by coincidence.

It was a day filled with moving experiences. Thanks to all who came. And together, let us start a new collaboration to make the future of the two neighboring countries bright. Let’s listen to what the history tells us and take action (Ref.)

Embassy of Canada and France

Posted on 2009/02/252014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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On the 18th, a reception to welcome Dr. Arthur Carty, former Science & Technology advisor to the cabinet and his Nanotech team of about 6 people was held at the Embassy of Canada. We all enjoyed a very lively time. His Excellency Ambassador Fried, who was appointed to the Ambassador to Japan last September was also present so I had the honor to talk to him on various topics, such as the "Young Woman Scientists Exchange Program" between Japan and Canada, which I started 5 years ago as President of the Science Council of Japan to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It was a great opportunity to meet old friends and get acquainted with new people.

19th was a dinner at the Embassy of France with Dr. Nathalie KOSCIUSKO-MORIZET, Minister of Forward Planning, Assessment of Public Policies and Development of the Digital Economy. So I was involved in conversation of mixed languages of English and French for two days, but unfortunately, I don’t speak French at all.

Photo1: From right, Minister Kosciusko-Morizet, His Excellency the Ambassador Philippe Faure, myself, Minister of French Embassy Dr Jean-Louis Armand, in charge of science and technology.

Photo2: Minister Kosciusko-Morizet and myself

By the way, the photographer of these photos has a good taste, don’t you think? His blog is great, too.

The Minister has her blog ( 1 , 2 ) to dispatch information, comments, etc. which is very impressive. She commented on us in the blog also.

This day, there was also a reception for the gathering held in honor of Dr. Gozo Sato. I will report to you in detail soon in a separate posting, but Dr. Sato is a physician who has contributed tremendously in the history of the Modern Medical Education of Japan and Korea. The meeting was planned to learn about his works and to think on how to extend his will to the future generation of the two countries. I had the honor to greet all participants. I look forward to coming days.

From Rome, Drafting Global Health Agenda of G8 Summit

Posted on 2009/02/162014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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Photo1

On 11th, I went to Paris by the usual Air France last flight departing at 21:55. I have been on this flight so many times for these 3-4 years. You are able to work full day before going to Narita so it is convenient for flying to Europe. London, for instance, it may even be possible to make it for a morning meeting if connection is good because you will arrive by 9:30 or so.

I arrived at Rome via Paris at 9:00 on 12th. The hotel was elegant St. Regis Hotel I joined with Mr. Banno who arrived from New York and together we prepared for the next day’s “Global Health Forum”. This Forum is held under the auspices of our Health Policy Institute and Aspen Institute Italia . Other institutions such as Rockefeller Foundation, etc. are also giving support.

We are trying for the first time to reflect the process of "Global Health Summit; Toward TICAD, G8 and Beyond" (which we have organized last year) to the G8 Summit which will take place in Italy this year. For this purpose, we held a preliminary meeting last December (Ref.1, 2). Next day, the 13th, the meeting started at last. Venue is within this gorgeous hotel. The opening was "Welcome Speech" by Professor Petroni of Aspen Institute Italia, the joint organizer, and myself. In the end of my speech, I mentioned that the Global Fund was founded through the active work of Japan and Italy at 2000, 2001 Summit, and that the host of 2001 Genoa Summit was current Prime Minister Berlusconi .

Participants were seated in circle around television screens for discussion. I will show you more photos once they are ready.

Photo2, 3: The conference

Photo4: Mr. Massolo, the Sherpa and Dr. Chan of WHO.

Photo5: Minister Tremonti.

Photo6: From right, Minister of Health, Dr. Hatem El Gabaly, WHO Executive Director, Global Health Workforce Alliance Dr. Sheikh, Executive Secretary of GAVI Alliance Dr. Julian Lob-Levyt, ActionAid International delegate Dr. Noerine Kaleeba(Dr. Kaleeba is from Uganda).

Many important people such as WHO Director General Dr. Margaret Chan, Aspen Institute Italia President and current Minister of Finance, Dr. Tremonti, Sherpa of Summit in Italy, Dr. Massolo gathered for this meeting. Mr. Keizo Takemi was also present. As we were acquainted with each other through participation in Toyako Summit, I informed him about the outcomes we’ve achieved so far. The members of this meeting were just outstanding. Everyone participated actively in enthusiastic discussions. At a time of such economic disaster, wouldn’t it be great if we could contribute to this year’s G8 Summit in Italy, however small the contribution is? It would also be good for the presence of Japan in global society.

On this very same day, our article “Italian G8 Summit: a critical juncture for global health” was published in The Lancet, February 14th, 2009; volume 373, number 9663,　p.526-7. We wrote this mainly from “Japan’s experience on Global Health”. Most contents of The Lancet are free for access On-line for any users with registration. I strongly recommend you to register. Here, I will provide links to the On-line version and PDF for your reference.

G7 Finance Ministers' meeting will start from tomorrow in Rome so tonight there will be a reception, I hear. Next week H8 meeting for discussion on health issues among G8 relations will take place as well as G8 Sherpa meeting. Naturally, people involved are moving very busily.

In the evening, Dr. Peter Singer (Univ. Toronto) (Ref.1, 2) , Dr. Rajeev Venkayya of Gates Foundation, Mr. Banno and I went to a nice restaurant well known around here.

Photo7: From right、Myself, Dr. Peter Singer(Univ. Toronto) , Dr. Rajeev Venkayya at Gates Foundation, Mr. Banno.

Dr. Vankayya said he had seen me more than a decade ago when I was Professor of Medicine at Todai. I started Chief Resident Exchange Program with University of Michigan then, and he was one of the visitors to Todai under this Program. What a coincidence!

Again from New Delhi

Posted on 2009/02/102014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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I arrived at New Delhi from Davos via Munchen early in the morning of February 2nd. This is my 3rd visit during this past 12 months.

Many of you might feel that India is difficult to understand or mysterious. Let me introduce you an interesting blog (in Japanese only). It is quite fun with lots of humor.

Now, like last summer, I am here this time as a team member of Jeffery Sachs to participate in the meeting of international advisory council organized by the Minister of Health and Welfare of India which is held twice a year (I did not attend last February) (Ref. 1, 2). Main topic is "Rural Health".

Right after checking in at the Taj Mahal Hotel were briefings from Indian researchers and people from NGOs on current status, analysis, issues, etc. followed by discussions. After a short break in the afternoon was a reception.

Next morning, we worked for about five hours straight (even lunch was during the meeting) listening to the reports by government officials, discussing, exchanging views. Same as last time, the Minister had very clear understandings on almost all issues and was able to further explain or join in the discussions. He is a specialist of this field ? Rural health (medicine). He has an excellent understanding of the situation. I could clearly see even from the data that the project has developed remarkably (though yet much more to go) within this one year. It is truly amazing.

Photo1: The advisory meeting. Indian side in front row, fifth person from left is Minister Rmadoss.

Photo2: Likewise, the advisory meeting committee side. From right, Prime Minister Dr Tore Godal of Norway, myself, Health Minister of Kenya, Dr. Sachs, Health Minister of Malawi, Health Minister of Rwanda etc.

Although background of the situation in India may be different and there could be many parts where even India might be better in comparison, Ministers of Health and Welfare from Kenya (Professor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, Minister of Medical Services), Rwanda (Dr Richard Sezibera), and Malawi (Minister Khumbo Kachali) also came to join in the meeting in hope to find some issues or references that apply also to Africa. The content of the meeting was very useful for them, so it seemed, that here again we succeeded in having active and constructive discussions.

I left the hotel in late afternoon for airport to return to Narita.

Again and again from London

Posted on 2009/01/312014/10/01 by kiyoshi kurokawa

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Once again I returned to London where I have been just last November (Ref. 11/14, 11/15)

As always, the flight was Air France departing from Narita at 21:55 arriving in Paris at 4:30. It was at this Charles de Gaulle airport lounge at about 5:30 am that I listened to the historical victory speech of Barack Obama on television as he was elected the next president.

Photo1: IPPF Panel

Photo2: From Japan Embassy, Mr Miyagawa and Mr. Ishii , myself, IPPF Africa Regional Office Director Tewodros Melesse.

Although the topic I am raising today may not be so popular, it is an very important theme among today’s many social and health related issues. I came here this time to give a keynote lecture at the annual meeting of nations and organizations supporting IPPF, a global NGO on family planning (Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated from Japan). It is a great responsibility, considering that we are now in the midst of such economical crisis. I worked on the draft of the speech till midnight, and read it. I did this because I wanted to hand the manuscript of the speech. Administrative works of Japan was done by JOICEF headed by Ms. Sumie Ishii, Secretary General of JOICEF (who represented NGO at last year’s Toyako Summit and has done a remarkable job). Thanks to her. My lecture seems to have been well received, to my relief.

Photo3: With Professor Michael Marmot

Photo4: With Minister Nishigahiro, Minister Oka, Mr. Castleton, etc.

Right after arriving at London in the morning of the day before, the first thing I did was to have an interview with Dr. John Baddingotn, Scientific Advisor to Prime Minister Brown. Then visited WHO Commission Chair Sir Michael Marmot at his office where I left for lunch at the official residence of Minister Nishigahiro with Minister Nishigahiro, Minister Oka in charge of economic affairs, vice president of Royal Society, and Dr.Lorna Castleton in charge of international affairs. As there were so many topics to talk about, time passed before I knew.

Photos 5, 6：London Tower

At night, was invited to a dinner with the executives of IPPF and speakers at a restaurant right beside the London Tower.

After giving lecture at IPPF, headed for Heathrow Airport in the afternoon to depart for Davos. Arrival at the hotel was at about 10pm. There seemed to be more snow here this year comparing to last two years.