Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare

Summary: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has provided the Global Hazard Weekly Bulletin (GHWB) since 2012 to contribute to event-based surveillance (EBS) for all hazards. EBS is the organized and rapid capture of information about events that are a potential risk to public health (WHO 2008). A total of 445 bulletins were produced and released from October 8, 2012, to November 8, 2024. In accordance with GDPR, which governs the personal data of individuals, registration to receive the bulletin indicates that 20,741 subscribers (as of November 8, 2024) can now access this resource. The definition of ‘hazard’ is ‘a process, phenomenon or human activity that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation’ and that has had a significant human impact, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in February 2017. Each week, the GHWB team members work to identify hazardous events and disasters that have had a significant human impact that have occurred in the preceding seven days, which is collaboratively compiled and sent by UKHSA once a week with information collected from a variety of sources, including international media outlets, peer-reviewed literature, and reports from international organizations including United Nations (UN). The process of compiling, analyzing, and reviewing articles for inclusion in the bulletin has benefited the responsible team. The current team consists of members from several different teams across UKHSA, some of which are not focused on global hazards. Generating the GHWB provides some members of this group with the opportunity to enhance their understanding of the global hazards landscape. In addition, the process allows for the review and testing of the UNDRR/ISC Hazard Information Profiles (2021), which are currently being updated for the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in June 2025.

ABSTRACTBackgroundPractice‐Based Research Networks (PBRNs) have historically been effective support mechanisms for primary care research. Although the number of PBRNs worldwide has increased, their numbers in Japan are relatively limited. This study aims to elucidate the current PBRN landscape in Japan and the process of establishing a new PBRN to encourage the formation of similar networks.MethodsWe conducted a national cross‐sectional descriptive study in which six PBRNs in Japan were identified using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality PBRN Registry. Detailed information regarding their PBRN characteristics and activities was collected using a standardized Excel template. We further conducted an embedded illustrative case study of the experiences and lessons learned from initiating a PBRN, using data gathered from the steering committee members of the network and document review.ResultsSix primary care‐focused PBRNs were found in regions ranging from large cities to isolated islands. Their relationships with academic external stakeholders also vary. All networks were established within the past 15 years, with most encountering funding challenges. The illustrative case study highlighted several key lessons, including the significance of motivation, necessity for clear membership and defined roles of PBRN members, the governance structure of the PBRN organizational diagram, and the importance of sustainable activities and funding.ConclusionsPBRNs play a crucial role in building a sustainable foundation of evidence for primary care research. Support from the Japan Primary Care Association committees and the Global PBRN Initiative significantly aids in advancing PBRN activities, ultimately enhancing primary care research in Japan.

Abstract Background: Clinical research education is critical for cultivating physician-scientists and ensuring evidence-based practice. However, the extent to which newly graduated physicians in Japan possess clinical research competencies remains unclear. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and May 2024 among 458 postgraduate year-zero (PGY0) resident physicians in Japan. Participants completed five clinical research knowledge questions selected from a validated 48-item assessment tool. The responses from PGY0 residents were newly collected for this study, while comparative data from principal investigators and clinical research support staff were drawn from previously collected datasets and reanalyzed here at the item level. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on university type and designation as a clinical research core hospital. Results: Only 37.7% of PGY0 residents correctly answered a question on the research process, compared to 75.0% of principal investigators and 94.4% of support staff, based on data collected in a previous study. The highest correct answer rate among PGY0 residents was 77.9% for a question on managing conflicts of interest; however, it still trailed the comparison groups. Correct rates on the remaining items ranged from 53.7% to 73.2%, while both comparison groups exceeded 75% for all items. Graduates of schools affiliated to clinical research core hospitals scored significantly higher than others (p = .011). Conclusions: The findings indicate substantial gaps in clinical research knowledge among newly graduated physicians and underscore the need for improved undergraduate training. Structured curricula and early postgraduate training that include hands-on, project-based research are vital for developing physician-investigators and enhancing Japan’s global research contributions.

This survey explored the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of xenotransplantation in adolescents and young adults. A web-based questionnaire targeting individuals aged 12-30 was conducted via a Japanese government platform. Results from 113 responses revealed generally positive attitudes toward xenotransplantation, particularly among males, and also highlighted concerns about infection, identity, and animal ethics. Most respondents conditionally accepted xenotransplantation, emphasizing informed consent and societal awareness. Xenotransplantation was ranked lowest in treatment priority compared to regenerative medicine and human organ transplantation. The survey captured respondents' feelings about themselves or friends receiving xenotransplants and highlighted issues to address before clinical use in Japan. Findings were presented at a national expert committee meeting, emphasizing the importance of including adolescent and young adults' perspectives in research and review processes. As Japan considers xenotransplantation research under regulation, this survey offers global insights to support ELSI-aligned development.

Augmented reality (AR) can support neurosurgical procedures by integrating 3-dimensional (3D) images into real-world views to help anatomical understanding. However, current systems are cumbersome and not attractive for trainees. Studies on wearable AR devices show promise but need further refinement. This preliminary report assesses a novel augmented reality navigation system (ARnavS) using a simultaneous localization and mapping algorithm provided with the Vuforia SDK and a quick response code. The system was applied to burr-hole surgeries in 10 cases of chronic subdural hematoma to evaluate its convenience and accuracy. Ten patients with 11 hematomas underwent burr-hole surgeries using ARnavS. The system was effective without equipment issues, with an average registration time of 2.6 minutes. Discrepancy between planned and actual burr-hole locations was 3.5 mm. Skin incisions avoided 3D image of the superficial temporal artery, with no superficial temporal artery damage in any case. The mean surgical time was 37.1 minutes, and no severe postoperative bleeding occurred. Our ARnavS for burr-hole surgery in chronic subdural hematoma offers good 3D imaging with quick registration. It provided surgeons with better anatomical comprehension, helping to avoid injury to critical structures. Unlike conventional systems, ARnavS allows direct visualization of 3D graphics in the surgical field, beneficial for less-experienced neurosurgeons and medical students. While further studies are needed, the AR navigation system with simultaneous localization and mapping algorithm and quick response code showed precise intraoperative 3D imaging with sufficient accuracy after quick registration. While further studies are needed, it has demonstrated practical usefulness in clinical neurosurgical procedures.

The amended Act on the Safety of Regenerative Medicine (RM Act) in Japan expands its scope to include in vivo gene therapy and related technologies, classifying them into Class I, the highest-risk category. Furthermore, the amended RM Act introduces additional requirements, such as proper conflict of interest management and a specific evaluation of the scientific validity of provision plans by Certified Committees for Regenerative Medicine to ensure a fair review. These detailed regulatory amendments will be stipulated in the cabinet order and the ministerial ordinance, which are subordinate to the law. The amendments are set to take effect on May 31, 2025. This article provides a detailed overview of the amendments introduced under the RM Act.

The global rise in obesity prevalence and the incidence of early-onset cancer (diagnosed between 20 and 49 years of age) is a serious public health concern. We, therefore, evaluated the recent global trends in the incidence of early-onset obesity-related cancers and compared them to those of non-obesity-related cancers. We obtained age-standardized incidence rates of early-onset cancers diagnosed between 2000 and 2012 in 44 countries from the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents database. Using joinpoint regression models, we calculated the average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for combined and individual categories of obesity-related cancers (11 and 9 cancer types in females and males, respectively) and non-obesity-related cancers (12 cancer types in both females and males). Differences in the AAPC were assessed by comparing 95% CIs, where nonoverlapping 95% CIs were considered statistically significantly different. We observed statistically significant positive AAPCs for early-onset obesity-related cancers in all available countries combined among females (global AAPC, 4.3%; 95% CI, 4.1-4.6%) and males (global AAPC, 1.4%; 95% CI, 1.2-1.7%). When analyzed by countries, we observed statistically significant positive AAPCs in 26 countries among females and 11 countries among males. AAPCs for early-onset obesity-related cancers were statistically significantly higher than those of non-obesity-related cancers in several regions, especially North America and Oceania. In conclusion, this study indicates that the incidence of early-onset obesity-related cancers exhibited a more pronounced increasing trend than non-obesity-related cancers among both sexes in many countries and regions.