The epidemic of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has revealed social issues such as "maintaining economic and social activities," "preventing and treating infectious diseases," and "preventing medical collapse" when a pandemic occurs.The Nippon Foundation has subsidized 10 billion yen over 230 years to address these issues, and has formed a research base at Osaka University that will serve as an international hub.While promoting open innovation with domestic and overseas research institutes and industry, we aim to protect people's lives and livelihoods and contribute to the maintenance of social and economic activities in preparation for future threats from infectious diseases.

　Specifically, we will promote "construction of infectious disease research infrastructure", "cultivation of medical human resources", "dissemination of information and dissemination and improvement of infectious disease literacy (knowledge)", etc. for the infectious disease crisis that may occur in the future. , Osaka University will build the world's highest level research base by further improving the research environment and medical human resource development environment of the Infectious Diseases Comprehensive Education and Research Center opened in April this year.

　The Japan Foundation regards this as a "disaster" from the early stages of the spread of the new coronavirus infection, and after the pandemic, it has opened medical facilities, emergency support for emergency medical facilities and medical staff, and elderly facilities and long-term care service workers. We have provided free PCR tests to.This project was started when I realized the necessity of fundamental problem solving from a long-term perspective while developing these kinds of support.

Reference: [Osaka University] Large-scale infectious disease control project started in collaboration with The Nippon Foundation!