Division of Basic Medical Research Japan Program for Infectious Diseases Research and Infrastructure

In various parts of the world, new infectious diseases emerge while infectious diseases that have been prevalent since long ago emerge and re-emerge. This is true especially in the tropics where because of hot and high humidity environments and poor public health, long-standing infectious diseases remain prevalent, such as dengue fever, malaria, and tuberculosis. Population growth and economic expansion in infectious disease endemic areas also increases the proximity of human settlements to wildlife habitats increasing the risk of new zoonotic diseases. Rapid transit time of people and goods by air has also increased the risk of infectious diseases crossing borders and spreading globally.

A report (link in Japanese) by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in June 2019 stated that it is not enough to only conduct infectious disease research in Japan. Internationally collaborated efforts are crucial to strengthen research capabilities and research systems for measures to control infectious diseases, including those not yet identified.

The Japan Program for Infectious Diseases Research and Infrastructure program was started in FY2020 by combining the preceding programs: Japan Initiative for Global Research Network on Infectious Diseases (J-GRID) and the Japanese Initiative for Progress of Research on Infectious Disease for global Epidemic (J-PRIDE).

The Japan Initiative for Global Research Network on Infectious Diseases (J-GRID) finished in FY2019 and ran over 15 years from Period I to Period III. During this time overseas research bases were established and epidemiology and cohort studies were supported, fostering human resources through research and building a system of cooperation with local universities, research institutions, and government agencies.

The Japanese Initiative for Progress of Research on Infectious Disease for global Epidemic (J-PRIDE) was launched in FY2017 and supported collaborative research between different fields, fostered early career researchers, and produced results through joint research with researchers from overseas institutions.

Moving forward, the Japan Program for Infectious Diseases Research and Infrastructure will continue to support research in infectious disease endemic areas and enable large-scale diverse joint research. For more information, please see the respective “Research Areas” section.

This program consists of three research areas. For further information please click the links in below:

• Global Research Infrastructure - Researchers from Japanese universities and research institutes are stationed at overseas research centers to conduct collaborative research with local universities and research institutes.
• Collaborative Research via Overseas Research Centers - Samples, clinical information and other data obtained at overseas research centers are utilized to conduct research.

• Interdisciplinary Cutting-edge Research - Novel and innovative basic research based on innovative ideas are conducted.

In addition to the above three research areas, the BSL4 Facility of Nagasaki University (subsidised project) will strengthen research on highly pathogenic infectious diseases such as Ebola hemorrhagic fever.