Public Awareness Raising Activities on AMR in Japan
Manabu HASEGAWA
Councilor, Coordination Office of Measures on Emerging Infectious Diseases, Cabinet Secretariat, Japan, MD■ What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)?
AMR the phenomenon where antimicrobials become ineffective, or pharmaceutical effects decline, against infectious diseases caused by organisms(bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites). Under “ National Action Plan on AMR 2016-2020” adopted on April 5, 2016, Government of Japan has been
conducting actions against AMR in the following six areas; “Public Awareness and Education”, “Surveillance and Monitoring “, “Infection Preventionand Control”, “Appropriate Use of Antimicrobials”, “Research and Development” and “International Cooperation”.

Antibiotic Awareness Month“Reduce AMR!” Ambassador

In order to promote awareness raising activities on Antimicrobial ResistanceIn order to promote awareness-raising activities, Ms

nationwide, Government decided November to be “Antibiotic Awareness

Mariko SHINODA and JOY have been appointed asMonth”. During the Month, not only government agencies but also various“Reduce AMR!” Ambassadors on 29 November 2016.

private bodies altogether carry out awareness raising activities as well as

They are supporting our efforts to improve public

encourage individuals’ proactive efforts to tackle AMR.

knowledge and understanding of AMR.

＜MAFF＞The leaflet calling for ensuring appropriate andprudent use of antibiotics＜MHLW＞The brochure and theposter targeting at
patients and medical
personnel

PDF* Making short film and radio program on AMR
MOVIEHP* Awareness Raising Events on AMR

PDF

MOVIE

MOVIE

Public Awareness Raising Meeting onPromoting Measures against AMR

The 1st Awards for AMR
Awareness-Raising Activities

Public Awareness Raising Meeting on
Promoting Measures against AMR is held for

Aiming of promoting countermeasures against

promoting awareness raising activities

AMR nationwide, excellent awareness-raisingnationwide, in collaboration of the public andactivities carried out by groups or individuals

private sector together, to improve public

were commended.
（Cabinet Secretariat, Ministryknowledge and understanding of AMR, as wellof Education, Culture, Sports, Science andas for encouraging individuals’proactive
1st Meeting on 1 November 2016
2nd Meeting on 23 October 2017
Dr Mamoru Mohri, Chief Executive（Chair）
Director, National Museum of Emerging
Science and Innovation

efforts of appropriate use of antibiotics.
（Cabinet Secretariat, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology, Ministry of Health, Labour andWelfare and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)

Technology, Ministry of Health, Labour andWelfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry andFisheries）

The 1st Awards Ceremony for
AMR Awareness-Raising Activities
26 June 2017 at Miraikan

12 groups/individuals were awarded*National Council on Countermeasures against

One Century History of Antibiotics

AMR Chairperson’s Awards

To date(1) Aomori Infection Control Network（AICON）(2) Smile Future JAPAN1928

1940’sDr Alexander Fleming
discovered the antibioticpenicillin.

Antimicrobial-resistantbacteria emerged whileantibiotics saved a great
number of infected patients.

*Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare’s Awards(3) Saga University Hospital Infection Control Department

1960’sAntimicrobial-resistantbacteria continued to emerge,
though new antibiotics weredeveloped and put on sale.

Antimicrobial-resistantbacteria have spreadthroughout the world due toinappropriate use of(4) MAEDA Nose Ear and Throat Clinic*Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Awards(5) Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Infection Diseases
DepartmentetghoeTrtoncA(6) Hyogo Prefectural Hyogo High School

AMR*Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ Awards(7) Japanese Society of Antimicrobials for Animals(8) The Japanese Association of Swine Veterinarians(Antimicrobial Resistance)of the people, by the people, for the people.
Antibiotics, the 20th century’s great discovery, should be handed on tothe future generations as common assets of mankind. “One Health” actions
which are taken across the boundary of nations, medics and patients,
as well as that of human and animals are requiredin order to overcome the challenge of AMR.

*”Reduce AMR! “ Ambassadors’ Awards
Selected by JOY(9) Shizuoka Children’s Hospital, Shizuoka Antimicrobial Team（SAT）(10) Professor Yutaka TERAO, Division of Microbiology and Infectious
Diseases, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental
Sciences

Selected by Ms Mariko SHINODA(11) Nippon Becton, Dickinson and Company“One Health” Actions
Do Not Give Up

Do Not Let Them Emerge(12) Sapporo Veterinary Medical Association

Do Not MissAct TogetherConclusion
Cabinet Secretariat puts importance on having a close cooperation withDevelop new drugs effective for
antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.

Make sure that antibiotics areproperly prescribed and used.

November is Antibiotic Awareness MonthContinuously monitor to findantimicrobial-resistant bacteria.

Cooperate on and contribute to
AMR issues on a global scale.

Cabinet Secretariat

related organizations, including Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare ,AMR Clinical reference Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry andFisheries, World Health Organization(WHO) and World Organization for
Animal Health(OIE).