UNIVERSITYOF
THE RYUKYUS
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE,
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES,
FACULTY OF MEDICINESCHOOL OF MEDICINE, SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES,
AND UNIVERSITY HOSPITALGUIDE B OOK

UNIVERSITYOF
THE RYUKYUS
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE,
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES,
FACULTY OF MEDICINESCHOOL OF MEDICINE, SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES,
AND UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

207 Uehara, Nishihara-cho,
Nakagami-gun, Okinawa, Japan
TEL:+81-98-895-3331
http://www.med.u-ryukyu.ac.jp/

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE,
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES,
FACULTY OF MEDICINESCHOOL OF MEDICINE, SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES,

UNIVERSITY HOSPITALFOUNDING CONCEPTCONCEPT & BASIC POLICY

The essential purpose of the Faculty of
Medicine is to nurture physicians andmedical science specialists who are willingto develop their specialized knowledge andskills with high ethical standards inprofessional research areas, and to carryout the research in all fields of medicine
and medical science by responding
adequately to the latest progress andsocial problems.
In addition, the Faculty is obligated to
improve medical care in the local
community, to resolve medical andhealthcare problems, and to extend its
promotional activities to countries in the
Asian and Pacific regions based onrecognition of the natural environmental
conditions, geographic location andhistorical situation in the Ryukyu Islands.

As the University Hospital, we aim todevelop international-minded medical staff
who will provide high quality healthcare inaccordance with our patients’requirements. We also aim to provide
optimal medical care with profoundcompassion for patients, and also to
improve the community healthcare andwelfare. As the only designated “Advanced
Treatment Hospital” in the Okinawa
Prefecture, we have demonstrated a firm
commitment to provide innovative andadvanced medical care.

Dean,
Hajime Ishida, M.D., Ph.D.

Vice-Dean,
Hidehiro Kishimoto, M.D., Ph.D.

2

Vice-Dean,
Tetsu Yamashiro, M.D., Ph.D.

Vice-Dean,
Kenzo Takahashi, M.D., Ph.D.

Vice-Dean,
Takao Yokota, R.N., Ph.D.

Head, School of Medicine
Chitoshi Takayama, M.D., Ph.D.

Dean, Graduate School of Health Sciences,
School of Health Sciences
Takuya Fukushima, M.D., Ph.D.

Our basic policies are:1) to provide high quality medical
treatment to ensure the dignity of life;2) to improve the quality of community
healthcare and welfare throughcooperation with the other medical andallied health organizations;
3) to develop and apply advanced medical
knowledge and technologies; and4) to nurture physicians and medical staff
who possess international viewpoint andoutlook.
Since being appointed the community
AIDS Clinical Center (March 2007), andthe Landmark Hospital for cancer therapy(February 2008), and liver diseases(November 2009), and for medical care in
remote areas (March 2011), the University
Hospital functions as the pivotal center foradvanced medical care in Okinawa
Prefecture. As the leading hospital inSoutheast Asia, it is also expected tocontribute to improving community
healthcare and to provide updated medical
treatments, especially in the fields ofinfectious diseases, cancer andlifestyle-related diseases.

Director,
Jiro Fujita, M.D., Ph.D.

Vice-Director,
Tadashi Nishimaki, M.D., Ph.D.

Vice-Director,
Yusuke Ohya, M.D., Ph.D.

Vice-Director,
Mikio Suzuki, M.D., Ph.D.

Vice-Director,
Manabu Kakinohana, M.D., Ph.D.

Vice-Director,
Chiyomi Omine,
Certiﬁed Nurse Administrator

3

Our characteristics on

Our characteristics on

Education

Research

The development of human resources in islands of Okinawa with a high life expectancy
Okinawa Prefecture, located at the center point between
Southeast Asia and mainland Japan, was previously recognized
as a healthy society with a high life expectancy. However, theaverage lifespan has dropped in Okinawa, down from first placein Japan to third for women and thirtieth for men. Thissituation, known as the “330 Shock”, has caused confusion andworry among medical personnel in Okinawa. Lifestyle-relateddiseases due to dietary change are thought to be one of themain causes. Alongside increasing aging of the population on
remote islands, improvement of medical services for the elderly
have become a more important issue.
The School of Health Sciences aims to improve health andlongevity, and offers hospital-based medical care for residentsof Okinawa Prefecture through its education of healthcare
professionals. Its nursing and medical laboratory-based courses
train staff to help provide community medicine and healthservices. Undergraduate students gain comprehensive
knowledge in lectures given by instructors in various fields andmaster practical care skills by training in community medical
facilities. Through exchange agreements with institutions inSoutheast Asian countries, they also learn to consider local
issues from a global viewpoint.
The School of Health Sciences endeavors to develop
leaders of community medicine in Okinawa Prefecture,teaching staff that can work in research and education, andtalented global human resources.

The international academic exchange with the Asia - Pacific region
The Graduate School of Health Sciences, comprising theareas of Human Health Promotion, and International and Island
Health, is conducting research into human health and longevity
in Okinawa Prefecture, the physical, psychosocial, and cultural
factors that influence health, the development of healthresources and advanced healthcare technology, and island
health in the Asia-Pacific region. The results obtained fromresearch relating to the subtropical physical environment are
helping the promotion of health services in Asia-Pacific andAfrica and the development of medical staff in remote areas.
We are currently focusing on promoting the exchange ofhuman resources with institutions in the Asia-Pacific region. A
memorandum of understanding was signed with the Universityof the Philippines, Chiang Mai University in Thailand, and the
University of Health Sciences in Lao PDR to start collaboration
efforts and develop closer partnerships. We are also inviting
graduate students from these universities to participate in a

special program for government-sponsored foreign students
and to join collaborative global health studies.
The mission of the Graduate School of Health Sciences isto develop talented human resources for global health, acting
as researchers and leaders in universities, core hospitals, andinternational organizations such as the Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA) and World Health Organization(WHO).

Okinawa Clinical Simulation Center
Okinawa Clinical Simulation Center is established in
March 2012, for the purpose of improving medical education,
patient safety and clinical skill training by the support from
Okinawa Prefecture. This center has been used by all medical
staff in medical institutes and educational institutes inside andoutside of Okinawa. Simulation-based medical education has
been accepted as an innovated teaching method using asimulated clinical situation and circumstances. Our institute is2three stories, and the total floor area is 2,150m . We have 21
training rooms, and six debriefing/meeting rooms with variety
of simulators and medical devices which can be used for the
purpose from basic skill trainings to advanced simulation
trainings.
The total number of users of our institute in one year has
exceeded 18,000. Users are medical students, nursing
students, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, nursing
teachers, clinical laboratory technicians, and clinicalengineering technicians.
Not only providing those facilities, but we have held ouroriginal courses to develop the teaching skills of the simulation
educators for years. Instructors and teachers, who had taken

4

our courses are now coaching in their institutions for improving
the levels of medical systems in Okinawa.
Si m u lati o n -base d e du cati o n i s m o st su i ta b le forunderstanding team works and patient safety, those are themost important missions for healthcare providers to improve.
We hope that more medical and educational institutions will
utilize our facilities for that purpose, and contributing topatients benefit.
For more detailed information, visit our website
http://okinawa-clinical-sim.org/

Okinawa Bio-information Bank Project toward future precision medicine
People in Okinawa used to have healthy life-style, andhighest longevity in Japan. However, introduction of western
life-style 20 years prior to Japan main-islands results in higher
prevalence of obesity and lifestyle-related diseases, such as
diabetes mellitus, and mortality rates for middle aged people in
Okinawa are now highest in Japan.
During last decade, advances in technologies andaccumulation of human genomic information have provided alarge number of information regarding susceptibility tocommon diseases or responsiveness and/or adverse effects toseveral drugs, those are considered useful to establish a future
precision medicine. It has been also well known that genetic
backgrounds vary among different ethnic populations, andpeople living in Okinawa have been shown to possess a uniquegenetic background, which is clearly different from that inpeople from Japan main-islands. Therefore, genetic studies
using an Okinawa population are required to provide useful
information for the establishment of precision medicine in
Okinawa.

Okinawa Bio-information Bank Project has been started
under the support of Okinawa Prefecture and Japanese
government. We will collect about 20,000 genomic DNA
samples and clinical information from participants living in
Okinawa. We think that the resource of Okinawa
Bio-information Bank contributes to the identification of new
therapeutic targets, elucidation of disease mechanism. In
addition, promotion of collaboration using this resource withresearch institutes or pharmaceutical companies is useful to
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FG@H>.<1'<1!"#$%&'O/017'2%"3#"P'A novel approach toward the reconstruction of healthy longevity in Okinawa
via the cutting edge science of brain and molecular nutrition
γ-oryzanol in addiction to alcohol and nicotine, cognitive
impairment and decreased physical activity, all of which areoften associated with obesity and diabetes (Fig.2). A series ofour research has recently been highlighted in Nature journal(30th of March, 2017, spotlight on food science in Japan)(Fig.3). Furthermore, our latest work demonstrating thatγ-oryzanol ameliorates HFD-induced DNA hypermethylation of
the promoter region of type 2 dopamine receptor (D2R) in the
striatum of mice was selected for a cover story of Diabetologia,
August issue of 2017. Our experimental paradigm highlights
γ-oryzanol as a promising anti-obesity substance with thedistinct property of being a novel epigenetic modulator, which
does transform insatiable brain into satisfied brain (Fig.4).

Okinawa, which was once an island of the longest-lived
people in the world, has recently ranked near the top of all
Japanese prefectures in terms of the proportion of obese
people and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and theaverage lifespan of people has been rapidly decreasing (theOkinawa crisis). High-fat meals, which are rare in the wild,
disrupt the appetite control mechanism of the brain. The
similarity between the dependence on high-fat meals andaddiction to narcotics, alcohol, tobacco, gamble and internet is
attracting social and academic attention.
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the hypothalamus,
the center of appetite, is aggravated by excessive intake ofanimal fat, further increasing the preference for animal fat. Of
note, among various kinds of natural foods, γ-oryzanol, which iscontained specifically and abundantly in brown rice, functions
as a molecular chaperone and decreases ER stress inhypothalamus. γ-Oryzanol also alleviates ER stress inpancreatic β cells, thereby improving glucose-stimulated
insulin secretion. Furthermore, γ-oryzanol ameliorates
dysbiosis of gut microbiota, resulting in augmented productionof short chain fatty acids (Fig.1).
Supported by a couple of national strategic research
grants, we are now investigating the potential benefits of!"#$%$&'()&*$+" #I136E#/14
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Marked amelioration of addiction toanimal fat via suppression of ER
stress and epigenetic modification! Japanese Patent; No. 6098973（ March 3, 2017）! Japanese Patent ; No. 6143215（ May 19, 2017）! Japanese Patent ; No. 2014-553210 (June 29, 2017)

Figure 1

Diabetologia 60:1502-1511, 2017

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Improvement of dysfunctionof pancreatic islets! cells (enhancement of GSIS)" cells (suppression of glucagon)

An overweight man considers which kinds of food to eat. Excess dietary fatsstrengthen the preference for fatty foods via dysregulation of the brain
reward system.
The cover shows oil droplets containing a variety of foods, including
vegetables, fruits, French fries, brown rice, pizza and desserts.
In the present issue of Diabetologia, we report that the brown rice-specificbioactive substance #-oryzanol acts as a potent inhibitor of DNA
methyltransferases in brain striatum in mice, thereby attenuating thepreference for dietary fat via the epigenetic modulation of the dopamine D2
receptor. The study highlights #oryzanol as a promising anti-obesity
treatment with a distinct property as an epigenetic modulator in humans.

Correction of imbalanceof gut microbiota andsubsequent production of
SCFAs via fermentation

Figure 3

Figure 45

Our characteristics on

Figures

Practice

Aiming to be at the forefront of regenerative medicine
University of the Ryukyus Hospital is pushing ahead withresearch on regenerative medicine as the only university
hospital in Okinawa Prefecture. Towards achieving the practicalapplication of regenerative medicine using Adipose Derived
Stem Cells (ADSCs), we launched our Cell Processing Center(CPC) in March 2015. This paved the way for implementing
regenerative medicine in which adipose tissue is harvested
from a patient, ADSCs are extracted and cultured on a large
scale at CPC, and then transplanted back into the patient.
In March 2016, we performed the first successful case of
ADSCs transplantation to a patient, who was suffering frommalar deformity after an operation for maxillary sinus
carcinoma. In performing regenerative therapy in which
cultured ADSCs were used to correct facial deformity for the
first time in Japan, our team made a substantial contribution to
the development of regenerative medicine.
By conducting groundbreaking research and developing
leading-edge technology for regenerative medicine, we areestablishing University of the Ryukyus Hospital as a leader inadvanced medical technology, both at home and abroad. The

mission of our regenerative medicine initiative is to bring abright future to many patients suffering from intractablediseases.

The School
School / Graduate School
Medicine

42 courses

Health Sciences

6 courses (18 fields)

Academic staff in the Faculty

About FIMACC

Associate
Professors

Lecturers

Assistant
Professors

Total

57

42

40

166

305

SchoolFIMACC (Functional Imaging and Communication Center)has been in operation as PET (Positron Emission Tomography)
scan section since March 2013, and is adjacent to University of
the Ryukyus Hospital, where we conduct FDG-PET scan. PETwith FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) provides valuable functional
information based on the increase glucose uptake andglycolysis of cancer cells. It is a valuable tool for staging andrestaging of various cancers without little side effect. As acharacteristic of our section, we are actively conducting
FDG-PET for urological tumor that is often difficult to evaluate.
Many patients are referred for FDG-PET scan, the radiologists
can read images and prepare reports promptly. In addition, we
can conduct FDG-PET scan for evaluation of cardiac sarcoidosis.
And also we would like to provide PET examination as a
medical checkup.

Medicine
HealthSciences(as of May 1, 2017)

Number
722
250

Total

(as of May 1, 2017)

Graduate School
Course972

Medicine
HealthSciences

NumberMaster’s

15

Doctoral

180

Master’s

27

Doctoral

27

Total

249

University Hospital
Advanced Treatment Hospital(Cancer, AIDS, Liver diseases, Specific infectious diseases, and Tuberculosis)

Future directions
Okinawa Health Sentinel Sites

6(as of May 1, 2017)

Professors

Students

Faculty of medicine and university hospital are scheduled
to move to a new campus in West Futenma, Ginowan City in
2024. To establish a leading position in Asia-Pacific region, we
are focusing on following actions; (1) Amelioration in

Department

state-of-the-art medical care and research activity, (2) Support
for promoting the standard of medical care in communities,(3) Activate international research cooperation, and (4) Enhancethe educational level of medical care staff and students.

Number of beds (including beds for patients with tuberculosis)

600

Average bed occupancy rate (2016)

87.7%

Number of doctors (as of May 1, 2017)203

Number of outpatients per day (2016)

1,172.9

Number of operations per year (2016)

13,096

Number of anesthesia per year (2016)

7,648

7

Campus Map
Access to University of the Ryukyus
Oku Mountain cottage

OKINAWAJAPAN

Yona Field

Tropical Biosphere Research Center
University of the Ryukyus(Sesoko Station)

Kume Island

MiyakoIslandBicycle and Motorcycle
Parking Place

Okinawa Island

Charnel House

Ishigaki
IslandIriomote
IslandSenbaru Campus
Uehara Campus

Basic Medicine
Regenerative Medicine Research Center

Tropical Biosphere Research Center
University of the Ryukyus(Iriomote Station)

Institute for Animal Research/Radioisotope Center

Naha Airport

Naha Airport
Monorail 27 minutes

Wide area guide map

Ginowan-City

Ojana

Ok
ina
wa
Ex
pr
es
sw
ay

34

Urasoe-City
Aja

Disabled Parking PlaceNaha-City
Tomari Port

Furujima

Naha
Bus
Terminal
Naha
Airportri Do
usa
Kok ST.

Gibo

Prefectural
Government

Asato

Ishimine
Gateway

Torihori

Nishihara
Gateway

Shuri Station

Universityof theRyukyusSenbaru Campus
Uehara Campus
UeharaNishiharaICiCentral Facilities/
Electricity Unit

8

330

58

Comprehensive Health
Emergency Unit
Professions Education Center

North
Gate

Nakagusuku-Village

Faculty of
Medicine・University
Hospital

Monorail 25 minutes

orAbout 15 minutes

94
About 25 minutes

Faculty of Medicine andUniversity Hospital

Gibo Station

97
About 30 minutes

Faculty of Medicine andUniversity Hospital
Name of

Nishihara-Town
Shuri Sta.
Naha IC

329
Yonabaru

94

Shuri
Line (Downline(Toward
Torihori 1-chome, Arakawa))

Ryudai fuzoku byoin mae,
Ryudai fuzoku shogakko,
Ryudai hobungakubu mae,
Ryudai kitaguchi

97

Ryudai Line

Ryudai fuzoku byoin mae,
Ryudai fuzoku gakko mae,
Ryudai higashiguchi
Ryudai kitaguchi

Haebaru

9