NEWSLETTER
2022.9.6

vol.4. 2022 Autumn

throughindustry-academia-government-private
partnerships to realize real support for the extension ofhealthylife
expectancy.

Salutation
Professor Tomohiro Okura
University of Tsukuba Faculty of Healthand Sport Sciences Professor
JST COI-NEXT "Tsukuba Digital-Bio
International Center Project"
Principal Investigator "research anddevelopment task 7 Formation of acenter for social implementation basedon an evidence generation platformusing a futuristic integrated medical
information network based on a large
cohort. "Research and Development Issue
LeaderWith the increase in average life
expectancy, it is important toextend healthy life expectancy,
the period during which people
can remain in good health. To
ensure a healthy and happy oldage, it is important to assess
health conditions from an earlier
stage. For this research project,
the Tsukuba Happiness Life Study was launched with thecooperation of Tsukuba City. In collaboration with theUniversity of Tsukuba's Faculty of Medicine and MedicalSciences, the National Agriculture and Food Research
Organization, the National Institute for Environmental
Studies, and numerous companies, we aim to achievewell-being by focusing on lifestyle, health status,
environment, and anti-infective diseases. The Tsukuba
Happiness Life Study will elucidate factors related tolifestyle-related diseases, etc., through mail surveys andhealth checkups, and develop programs to improve
lifestyle functions, etc. We have been developing
intervention
programs
andhealthassessment
instruments for healthy longevity. Utilizing this experience,
COI-NEXT will provide medical and healthcare services

Participating Researchers
Associate Professor
Hideo Suzuki
University of Tsukuba
Institute of Medicine
Director, Tsukuba
Preventive Medical
Research CenterMy name is Suzuki from the Tsukuba Preventive Medical
Research Center. The Tsukuba Research Center for
Preventive Medicine was established in April 2017 withthe aim of realizing a healthy and long-lived society
through early detection and treatment of diseases. The
number of examinees has been increasing every year,with more than 1,000 people using the service in the last
fiscal year. As the name implies, "research" is one of ourmajor roles, and we are actively involved in providing
samples to biobanks and conducting joint research withvarious groups on cognitive function and sleep. The
Tsukuba Happiness Life Research Center will be thevenue for physical measurements, motor function
evaluation, cognitive function evaluation, and blood
sampling. I hope to contribute to the success of thiscohort study based on my past experience.

Tsukuba Digital-Bio International Center Newsletter 2022.9.6.vol. 4 2022 Autumn

Assistant Professor Yoon Jieun
University of Tsukuba Faculty of Healthand Sport Sciences
By 2025, when the "babyboomers" reach the age of 75,
it is estimated that there will beapproximately 7 million elderly
peoplewithdementia.
Dementia is a serious disease
that restricts the movements
necessary for daily living(eating, dressing, changing
clothes, urinating, defecating, bathing, etc.) Thus,dementia is highly dependent on medical and nursing
care support, placing a tremendous burden on theeconomy and society. However, early detection andprevention of dementia is extremely important because
there is still no cure for the disease. Therefore, through theTsukuba Happiness Life Research, we aim to develop a"cognitive function (disease) decline prevention
program" suitable for each condition (e.g., memory
decline, thinking ability decline, etc.) based on detailed
assessment of the state and changes in cognitive
function by "lifestyle, age, and sex" over a long period oftime, and to provide and promote this program to theelderly as soon as possible.

Participating Companies
Takao Tsutaya, General Manager
TANITA Corporation Development
Department, Business Strategy
Division
In addition to thedevelopment
andsalesofhealthmeasurement devices
suchasbodycomposition analyzers,
the Tanita Group is
expanding its businessfrom"measuring
health" to "creating health" services, including the "Tanita
FITZME" fitness program for women, the "Tanita Shokudo"(Tanita Diner), and the "Tanita Health Program" package
for companies and local governments. With thecooperation of COI-NEXT and Professor Ohzura of
Tsukuba University, "zaRitz," an easy-to-use device formeasuring lower limb motor function, has developedand launched. Through this project, we will work todevelop products that contribute to people's health with
unprecedented ideas.

Masao Kumagishi, General Manager
NEWCOM Inc. ResearchDepartment, Sirok DivisionWe
developandmanufacture
touchpanels and sheet sensors.
In entering the health field,
wedeveloped"PegAmore,"acognitive
function
testingandtraining device based on
the relationship between hand dexterity and cognitive
function in collaboration with Professor Ohkura of
Tsukuba University, utilizing our proprietary sheet sensor
technology. Anyone who understands numbers and canpick and move pegs can easily and happily train andtake care of their brain health. Through this project, wehope that we can be of some help toward your healthy
longevity.

The Tsukuba Happiness Life Study has started.
A large cohort study (the Tsukuba Happiness Life Study),
a project of R&D Task 7, has been launched. A healthand lifestyle survey was conducted for Tsukuba City for
10,000 Tsukuba City residents aged 45-89. We would liketo thank everyone who responded to our survey. TheTsukuba Happiness Life Health Examination will be
conducted in the future for those who respond to thesurvey. Participation information will be sent to eligible
participants in due course. Thank you for yourcooperation.

Tsukuba Digital-Bio International Center Newsletter 2022.9.6.vol. 4 2022 Autumn

Tsukuba Global Science Week 2022:
The Tsukuba International Center for Digital
Biology “Cohort Studies in Digital Biology:
Present and Future" session will be held.
We will hold a session at Tsukuba Global Science Week
2022 hosted by the University of Tsukuba. In theaforementioned Tsukuba Happiness Life Study and otherprojects conducted jointly by the home offices,
Discussions on the role of cohort studies and therealization of diet-assisted control of mild physical andmental disorders in Japan and the world today will beheld with regard for the future. The purpose of thisprogram is to promote international exchange. For
session details, please contact here. To register, pleasecontact here.

Hiroko Isoda, Principal Investigator of thisproject and Professor at the University ofTsukuba, delivered a lecture at a side event of
the 8th Tokyo International Conference onAfrican Development (TICAD8).
The Principal Investigator of this project, Professor Hiroko
Isoda of Tsukuba University, gave a lecture at the above
conference, "Japan-Africa Science Innovation Week: STI
Research Cooperation between Japan and Africa for
Sustainable Development - Equal Partnership andInclusive Collaboration". For more information on
Professor Isoda's activities in Africa, please contact here

https://tsukubadigitalbio.jp/

Tsukuba Digital-Bio International Center Newsletter 2022.9.6.vol. 4 2022 Autumn