Large-Scale Collaborative Project to Prevent Spread of Infectious Diseases with The Nippon Foundation Launched

Osaka University and The Nippon Foundation will implement the "Nippon Foundation - Osaka University Infectious Disease Response Project” over the course of the next 10 years.

The Nippon Foundation will provide 23 billion yen to Osaka University in support for this project, which also includes funding for strengthening the function of the Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), which was established at the university in April 2021.

A joint press conference for this project was held at the Nippon Foundation Building (Minato, Tokyo) on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, with Nippon Foundation Chairman SASAKAWA Yohei and Osaka University President NISHIO Shojiro in attendance.

In order to address social issues revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic from a long-term perspective and prepare for future potential pandemics, the university will strengthen the research infrastructure of infectious diseases to protect people’s lives and maintain social and economic activity.

Centering on CiDER, Osaka University will promote open innovation with research institutes and industrial circles both in Japan and abroad by making use of diversity at the comprehensive research-oriented university. In order to solve these social issues, the university will share scientific evidence-based information, strengthen research infrastructure of infectious diseases, and develop healthcare professionals who deal with infections.

Comment from Chairman Sasakawa

As countermeasures against COVID-19, the Nippon Foundation has provided equipment to universities and medical facilities and conducted free PCR testing.

In the process, we realized the weakness of Japan’s healthcare system, which we had believed to be one of the best in the world.

While many countries had strengthened infection control measures to prevent other outbreaks after the spread of SARS and MERS, Japan had not experienced any serious damage from these and was not prepared for having the proper mindset. This has brought serious problems during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Although the government is reviewing its infection control measures and developing measures to boost its own manufacturing capabilities for COVID-19 vaccines, these endeavors take time.

First, as a civilian organization, we’d like to cooperate with Osaka University in establishing a research hub in which universities and research institutes from both Japan and abroad can participate.

Comment from President Nishio

Osaka University, with its long history in infectious disease research, has numerous outstanding achievements in basic medical research, applications in clinical setting, social medicine, microbial diseases, and immunology, among others.

This April, Osaka University established CiDER to face the threat of infectious diseases based on its research achievements.

With CiDER at its core, this project will strengthen research infrastructure of infectious disease, develop infectious disease specialists, and propagate scientific evidence-based information.

We will advance this project to the fullest of our ability and contribute to society by making use of the knowledge gathered through tireless research at Osaka University as well as its collaborative achievements with various organizations both in Japan and overseas.

• Overview of the Project (link in Japanese)
• Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University