Stem Cell Coin

There are concerns that the social security system in Japan, where one can observe such acute problems as declining birthrate and aging population, will reach a deadlock in the near future. Recently introduced medical administrative measures, such as raising individual payment responsibility, expansion of flat-rate treatment system, reduction of hospitalization days, promotion of use of generic drugs, can be observed not only in welfare, but in healthcare as well. These measures contradict the entrenched medical ethics in Japan, which can be described as “Medicine is a benevolent art”. One can feel the turn to the economically driven direction, reproducing the “managed care” implemented in the United States. Amidst these circumstances, interest in diseases prevention is increasing more and more in Japan. However, the focus is on improving lifestyle habits such as meals and exercise, and many people do not consult with specialists and take care of their health by themselves. On the other hand, it is not enough to improve your lifestyle to prevent disease. Only checking the body regularly clarifying “is there any abnormality in the body, which does not correspond my age?" is the most effective means for early detection of a disease. "Is it possible to prevent diseases, or prolong healthy life, by stem cell therapy as state-of-the-art regenerative medicine?” Based on these concepts, we have launched the STEM CELL PROJECT to extend the healthy life expectancy, particularly for those who are also the cornerstones of society, and make contribution through bringing innovations to the field of preventive medicine.