FY2021 report of activities

Radiation Effects Research Foundation

FY2021 Report of Activities
I. Report of Major Activities
Epidemiologic data on mortality and cancer incidence from the A-bomb survivors (the Life
Span Study [LSS], the in utero study) and their children (the F1 generation studies) havelong been a primary basis for national and international estimates of the risks of cancer andother diseases from exposure to ionizing radiation. The unique importance of the LSS study
stems from the combination of its large size, wide range of exposure levels, inclusion of allages at exposure, and long, high-quality follow-up of mortality and cancer incidence.
However, the LSS is only one facet of RERF’s research activities. Clinical examinations andthe collection of biosamples in the Adult Health Study (AHS, a subsample of the LSS) andthe clinical, epidemiological and genetic studies of the children of A-bomb survivors provide
more detailed information on health conditions of interest, including radiation-related noncancer conditions, and the pathogenesis of those conditions in relation to radiation exposure,
as well as the study of heritable mutations. Our basic science groups, in collaboration withthe clinical studies and epidemiology departments, utilize the biosamples to further address
the nature and extent of genetic (both heritable and somatic) effects, and molecular changes
associated with health risks. These three components within the RERF research programprovide an integrative approach into epidemiological, clinical, biological, and mechanistic
aspects of human radiation risk. Such integrated opportunities are unique to RERF anddemand the best possible science be conducted for the benefit of the survivors and theradiation research community. As we move forward, the primary focus of RERF studies will
be on such integrated research programs through their development within the cancer,
genetic and non-cancer research clusters. An additional and essential component of ourresearch program development is the expansion of collaborations with institutions outsideof RERF both in Japan and internationally. We have recently developed in partnership with
our Board of Councilors a strategic plan emphasizing integrative approaches in our futurestudies.
1. Research Projects Examining A-bomb Survivors Health1) Radiation and Cancer: A preliminary analysis has revealed evidence of possible mediation of radiation risk for HCC
by HBV. We have examined the suitability of analytical methods and validity of model
assumptions for the mediation model. Because of the presence of missing data, principled
methods for dealing with missing need to be employed. We have therefore also investigated
how best to conduct multiple imputation for this study given the nested case-control design.
In particular, we are studying how best to account for the design parameters in the missingdata imputation model in collaboration with Department of Statistics.
 Pathogenesis of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) (RP1-17, Miyazaki Y and Imaizumi M):
This project has been developed in collaboration with the Nagasaki University and the Kyoto
University. Radiation is one of the causes of the development of hematological malignancies.
A-bomb survivors have a high risk of hematological malignancies, even 50 years after
exposure, such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and MDS. Recent genome analyses ofthese diseases have demonstrated that most of samples contain several gene mutations, andthat these mutations might be found before clinical diagnosis. We hypothesize that ahematopoietic progenitor or stem cell with a small number of gene mutation acquires1

additional gene mutations over time (more than several years) and causes hematologicalmalignancies and that ionizing radiation increases the chance of such gene mutations
occurring. We are conducting a study to detect mutations in serially stored blood samples of
AHS participants who developed MDS using next-generation genome analysis technology.
Objectives are to determine dynamics of mutated clones before clinical diagnosis of MDS
and to explore how it differs by exposed radiation dose. This study will answer the very
important question about how radiation-induced myeloid malignancies develop, which has
never been tested.
Whole exome sequencing of blood samples serially collected before and after MDS
diagnosis in 17 subjects were successfully conducted with average depth of 200-fold. MDS
clones were detected 4-22 years before diagnosis and expanded during the development of
MDS. There are two patterns in clonal evolution; 1) sustained expansion of MDS clones
which had chronal-hematopoiesis related alterations (ex. DNMT3A, TET2) and 2)
remarkable clonal shift and/or rapid expansion of MDS clones which had complex
karyotypes and del11q including ATM. The former pattern was mostly observed in the lessexposed survivors (<1Gy) and the latter one was mostly observed in the high-exposed
survivors (>=1Gy).
 Updated cancer incidence (RPs 1-75, 18-61): Periodic reporting on the radiation risks ofcancer incidence is the highest prioritized for the Epidemiology department. A
comprehensive analysis to update radiation risk estimates for cancer incidence through 2009has been completed, in collaboration with the Dept. of Statistics and the US National Cancer
Institute, using updated individual doses and information on lifestyle factors such as smoking.
Papers on all solid cancer, cancers of the lung, breast, uterus, upper digestive system
including stomach colon and rectum, liver, colon, rectum and central nervous system were
published through 2020 and papers on prostate (Mabuchi K, et al. Radiat Res 2021;195:6676), ovary (Utada M, et al. Radiat Res 2021;195:60-65), and kidney and urinary tract (Grant
E, et al. Radiat Res 2021;195:140-148) were published in 2021. A paper on comparison ofcancer incidence and mortality (Brenner A, et al.) is in press and another paper on summaryof those site-specific analyses (Brenner A, et al.) is being drafted. The series of recent papers
focused on the shape of the dose-response curves, low-dose risk and risks among thoseyoung at exposure, while adjusting for relevant life-style factors.
The updated risk estimates for cancer incidence of individual sites with adjustment forlifestyle factors were mostly similar to those previously reported although some variations
were observed. Radiosensitive period, i.e., ages at exposure at which radiation risk is high,seems to be related to high activity of tissue stem cells. The observed non-linearity of dose
response relationship for various outcomes highly concerns the radiation science community,
but the reasons are complicated as indicated in the latest paper by Brenner, et al. Since amajority of the subjects who were exposed at young ages are still alive and risk estimates forthem are uncertain at this stage, further follow-up will provide more informative
characterization of radiation risks.
 Updated LSS mortality report (RP 1-75): Analysis of mortality risk due to atomic bombradiation among survivors is the most important in evaluation of late health effects due toexposure to atomic bomb radiation. It is because vital status and cause of death of cancer
and noncancer diseases are the most essential for evaluation of health outcomes in
epidemiology. Also information of vital status and cause of death is collected for LSS
subjects living over the whole Japan whereas information on cancer incidence is collected2

from those living in Hiroshima and Nagasaki prefectures. International risk assessment
groups use the results of mortality risk as the primary basis for radiation-risk estimation.
Since the first LSS report was published in 1962, the results have been published periodicallyand the latest 14th report was published in 2012 for the follow-up data during 1950-2003.
Analysis for a new LSS mortality report (15th) has started using the data through 2017,
updated dose estimates, and newly available information on lifestyle and residential factors
in collaboration with the Dept. of Statistics. Those analyses include investigation of doseresponse shape and radiation risk at low dose levels considering potential confounding bygeospatial factors, lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol drinking, body mass index), someindicators representing socioeconomic status, and so on, and also variation in baseline rates.
Analysis of the same models that were used in the LSS 14 Report has been conducted forthe data extended to 2017, and the results were substantially similar to the previous report.
Currently, analysis is continued using various models including newly available variables,
not-in-city subjects, and others (Sakata R, et al.).
 Screening of fusion genes and genomic mutations in autopsied cases with CML (PI: N.
Yoshida): Leukemia is one of the diseases caused by radiation dose. Especially, chronic
myeloid leukemia (CML) was the most frequently developed type and CML whichdeveloped shortly after the bombing and may have produced characteristic genomic
alterations. In this RP, we plan to extract DNA from the samples of autopsied CML
participants and check the feasibility of applying high throughput sequencing analysis to
FFPE tissue to detect fusion genes and genomic mutations. Dr. Kato estimated statisticalpower of the test of the relationship between radiation dose and prevalence of fusion gene inacute myeloid leukemia (AML) using a logistic regression model, under the guidance of Dr.
Sposto.
2) Radiation and Non-Cancer Effects:
 Ophthalmologic examinations for our cataract study using 3 devices (slit-lamp, retroillumination camera, and Scheimpflug camera with standardized method) were initiated in
Hiroshima and Nagasaki in collaboration with ophthalmologists in Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Universities in April 2016. Supervision for this study is made by a cataract specialist in
Kanazawa Medical University. Ophthalmologic examinations among 1048 AHS subjects
who were ≤15 years of age at the time of bombings (including 115 in utero exposed subjects)
were finished in March 2020 in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Scoring of cataract severity using
photographed images was completed by an ophthalmologist and a statistical analysis wasalmost completed in collaboration with the Statistics Department.
The presence or absence of cataracts was analyzed by inverse probability weighting logistic
regression model (IPWLR) to account for possible missing data due to cataract surgery. The
results of analysis suggested that cataract prevalence was significantly associated with age,sex, city, smoking, ultraviolet, and axial length. The significant association between
radiation and posterior subcapsular cataracts was also shown. However, radiation effects oncortical cataracts and nuclear cataracts were not observed.
 Atherosclerosis study, Part 1(RP7-09, Nakamizo T): Past studies have reported an
association between radiation exposure and cardiovascular disease mortality/morbidity.
Although the mechanism is unclear, a plausible one is radiation-induced atherosclerosis. To
examine the association between radiation and atherosclerosis, we measured acomprehensive set of indicators of atherosclerosis including ankle-brachial index, carotid3

intima-media thickness, augmentation index, central systolic blood pressure, brachial-ankle
pulse wave velocity, upstroke time, and aortic calcification evaluated from chest and lumbar
X-rays among 3,775 AHS participants in 2010-2014. Data were analyzed by structural
equation modeling with latent variables representing main atherosclerotic pathologies: 1)
arterial stiffness, 2) aortic calcification, and 3) plaque.
Aortic calcification and plaque were linearly associated with radiation, but arterial stiffness
was not related to radiation. The association was not so strong—comparable to about 2 yearsof aging per Gray of radiation exposure. The results of this cross-sectional study suggest apossible causative role of radiation on atherosclerosis, which should be confirmed by future
longitudinal studies. A paper on the results has been published (Eur J Epidemiol, 2021; 36).
 Clonal hematopoiesis (CH), potentially associated with radiation exposure and increased
risks of inflammatory diseases, has not been evaluated in animal model studies. To develop
strategies for assessments of CH linking to radiation-associated noncancer diseases,
specifically arteriosclerosis as a part of CH program project, we conducted preliminary
experiments to establish one or more mouse models that can test the hypothesis that CH in
irradiated mice is involved in pro-inflammatory phenotypes and can promote atherosclerosis
formation. Preliminary mouse experiments using deep whole-exome sequencing (WES) andtargeted amplicon sequencing ensured an extremely high prevalence of CH in 3-Gy wholebody irradiated mice, i.e., 16 months after irradiation recurrent somatic mutations withvariant frequency exceeding 2% (a definition of CH in humans) were observed in 11 of 12
irradiated mice but in none of 6 controls. The mutations appeared almost specifically inhematopoietic tissues (bone marrow and spleen) and hematopoietic stem/progenitor single
cell-derived colonies but not in non-hematopoietic organ (tail, brain, testis etc) cells.
Moreover, CH in each of the irradiated mice contained multiple clones that expanded tocollectively comprise 60-80% of a whole population of bone marrow nuclear cells,suggesting that high-dose radiation can induce massive hematopoietic cell generation andproliferation from a tiny number of stem/progenitor cells, which is somewhat concordant
with our previous observation of clonal chromosome aberrations in blood cells among
heavily exposed A-bomb survivors. The blood of irradiated mice exhibited elevated levelsof both pro-inflammatory myeloid cells and red blood cell distribution width (RDW), which
is often observed in human populations having CH. These results validated our experimental
system involving WES-based CH detection and CH-related blood cell profiling forassessment of radiation-induced CH and associated proinflammatory phenotypes in mice aswell as in humans. (K. Yoshida, Kusunoki et al., CR155). PI; Yoshida, a manuscript in
preparation.
3) Genetic Effects of Radiation: The most important research initiative in the MBS genetics program and for RERF in generalis the whole genome sequencing (WGS) study focusing on human trios consisting of atomic
bomb survivors and their offspring. This is a major part of the institutional-wide F1 umbrella
program. In FY2021, we have completed statistical calculations regarding the power
estimates of detection of radiation induced mutations in F1s. We had meetings with external
collaborators to prepare a new RP and submitted it to the Genetics Research Cluster. Now,
the RP is under review. In addition, we have prepared a human genome data analysis system
consisting of an external cloud server and an on-premises server. One of the most important
issues of the human WGS study is getting social agreement and treating with ethicalproblems. In this regard, last year (Dec. 2020), we held an international workshop entitled“ELSI workshop toward RERF future genome studies on atomic bomb survivors and their4

children”. In this year, we published the summaries of the discussions and their advice (Nodaet al, 2021). Also, we have initiated a stakeholder meeting and discussed the aim of the study
and related ethical issues. By the proceedings with the ethical examination of the researchand the detailed examination of the scientific research plan in parallel, we plan to carry out
appropriate research at an early stage. Uchimura, Satoh, Noda (MB) and Sposto (S) A partof CR162, PI; Uchimura.
 Radiation-induced mutations in mouse spermatogonia cells in culture. To mechanisticallyunderstand how radiation exposure induces mutations in spermatogonia stem cells and how
their mutations transmit to the next generation, we have initiated an in vitro culture approach
to examine mouse spermatogonia cells (hereinafter GS, germline stem cells). The cultured
GS cells were X-ray irradiated and surviving cell colonies were recovered. Structuralchanges of the genome were analyzed by aCGH (Macrogen/Agilent standard methods) for
each 5 clones of control (unirradiated), 2-Gy-irradiated and 4-Gy-irradiated GS cells. For
the entire genomic sequencing, short-read WGS was conducted in control and X-irradiatedGS cell clones to detect radiation-induced SNVs and small InDels and multi-site mutations.
aCGH analysis revealed only one deletion in irradiated clones which was supposed to be
mediated by NHEJ. In the WGS, 4-Gy exposed clones showed apparent 2.5 and 4 holdincrease of multi-site and deletion mutations, while SNVs and insertions showed only slightincrease. Interestingly, while these InDels detected in the unexposed controls largely derived
from repeat sequence, radiation-associated changes were largely occurred in the uniquesequence, indicating the role of NHEJ in the radiation-associated mutagenesis in GS cells.
These results are summarized for publication. Since large scale structural changes were
scarcely detected in irradiated GS clones, we have initiated to introduce such changes byusing gene editing technology. We plan transplantation of these GS cells into male micetestes to examine the transmissibility of the individual mutations next year (Noda, Hamasaki,
Satoh and Uchimura, RP-P3-17). PI: Noda, partially supported by MEXT grant No.
20K12179
2.

Research Projects on the Health of A-bomb Survivors Children (F1) F1 cohort study (RPs 4-75, 18-61): Long-term studies of the F1 cohort provide a frameworkfor studying germline effects of radiation exposure and contribute important data to thelargest study of its kind. After a major paper on mortality risk assessment was published in2015, routine collection of case information is continuing. The individual doses of F1 cohort
members will be updated to DS02R1 by May, 2022 (Sakata R). As residential information isessential for ascertainment of cancer incidence through the national cancer registry system,
the information on participants in the F1 Offspring Clinical Study (FOCS) has been collected
and the record linkage will conduct (Sugiyama H, Kadowaki Y).


F1 offspring clinical study (FOCS) RP4-10, Ohishi W, Tatsukawa Y, and Hida A: The thirdround examination of the F1 offspring clinical study (FOCS) that was initiated in November
2014 on a four-year cycle completed, 9,860 subjects participated by the end of September
2021 (participation rate of 75.3%). The fourth round was started in November 2018, 5,809
persons participated in the health examination by the end of November 2021 (participation
rate of 58.4 %).



We continued efforts to develop an integrated project in collaboration with Departments of
Epidemiology, Molecular Biosciences, and Statistics. An umbrella project was organized5

for investigation of genetic effects of atomic bomb radiation. We continued to be involvedin the umbrella project through the role of obtaining clinical and epidemiologicalinformation or biosamples from FOCS participants in preparation for future linking genome
information with clinical epidemiological information.
 Investigation of hereditable genetic effects of radiation base on F1 family trios (PI: Noda):
Dr. Sposto, with the assistance of Ms. Funamoto and in collaboration with Drs. Noda andUchimura of the Department of Molecular Biosciences, evaluated a study design andanalytic plan for the proposed study of the relationship between parental radiation exposureand heritable mutations using parent/offspring trios. This work involved first assessing theexistence of complete family trios with known DS02R1 estimated radiation doses andlinking this to the inventory of specimens of the type required for sequencing of children andparents in order to identify the complete set of family trios that would be available for thisstudy. Second, the distributional properties of the primary endpoints for this study, which are
multi-site mutation, single nucleotide variants, and insertion/deletions, was derived from theexisting literature, with particular attention to the expected extra-Poisson dispersion that will
likely be encountered, leading to the adoption of a negative-binomial-based linear regression
model of mutation rate on radiation dose. Simulations were performed based on theavailable trios and their associated DS02R1 doses to estimate the power of primary analyses
that would be performed for each endpoint, including a subsampling scheme and sensitivity
analyses in the event that cost prohibited assay of all possible trios, which would be theoptimal approach. A detailed statistical analysis plan was written. The research proposal is
now under review.
3. Research to Elucidate Individual Doses and Effects from the A-bomb Coordinating of Organ Dosimetry Working Group (ODWG) activities: The Department of
Statistics has continued its coordination and collaboration activities in the binational working
group that is tasked with developing an improved approach to organ dosimetry by using
existing, DS02-calculated shielded radiation fields with new response function tables
calculated from new and improved computational phantoms. Dr. Harry Cullings, former
chief of the Department of Statistics, and Ms. Sachiyo Funamoto, the member of the
Department who is primarily responsible for overseeing the technical implementation of thedosimetry system at RERF, were and are ongoing contributors to this work.
 In order to evaluate the dose dependent effects of A-bomb radiation on humans, a cytogenetic
biological dosimetry study was conducted for a subset of A-bomb survivors in the AHS
cohort. A total of 1,868 survivors (1,179 in Hiroshima and 689 in Nagasaki) were examinedusing the 2-color-FISH method for detecting the frequency of stable translocations involving
chromosomes 1, 2, and 4. The dose response from FISH data showed a wide scattering ofindividual translocation frequencies in both cities as we observed in the previous solid
Giemsa staining study. Difference between two cities was remained significant but much
reduced suggesting the large city difference in the past study was mainly due to different
aberration detection rates between Hiroshima and Nagasaki laboratories. The city difference
was not significant when Nagasaki factory workers were excluded from the analysis. The
results suggest a shielding-related bias in physical dose estimates in some survivors. This
FISH study also reconfirmed that our previous Giemsa staining had successfully detected
about 70% of translocations. A manuscript will be submitted in 2022 (Kodama, Hamasaki,
Cordova, Cullings, RP 8-93). PI; Kodama.

6

4. Projects to Release Research Results and to Collaborate with Other Scientific
Organizations
Crucial to the mission of RERF is the dissemination of results of our studies to survivors andtheir children and to the international community. Toward that end we interact with local liaisoncouncils representing the communities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and provide information via
public lectures and other activities. These will be described later in another section of this report.
With respect to the international community there are a number of activities. These include
seminars, workshop, participation at international scientific conferences, and international
publication of results. This year 1 seminar were held at RERF presented by national visitor to
RERF and published more than 60 scientific papers.
Collaborative Research Projects
 Ongoing international collaborative research projects
In addition to the above activities the development of national and international collaborations
is essential to help disseminate results and to enhance RERF research programs. A list of
current collaborations is provided below:
a. Partnership with the University of Washington
b. Partnership with Kurume Universityc. Collaborations with the US National Cancer Instituted. Collaborations with the University of Florida
e. Collaborations with Outside Investigators:
39 Japanese Institutions
12 North American Institutions
4 European Institutions
1 Asian, Oceanian Institution
5. Training Programs for Domestic and Overseas Specialists
1) RERF held an online epidemiological training course for radiation biologists to deepen
biologists' understanding of RERF's epidemiological research and to promote interaction
among investigators working in radiation research institutes (August 26-27, 2021; 82
participants in total, including 54 and 28, respectively, from inside and outside RERF).
2) Due to the effects of COVID-19, acceptance of trainees from overseas through theInternational Council for Health Care of Radiation-exposed (HICARE), the Nagasaki
Association for Hibakushas’ Medical Care (NASHIM), and the like, was completely
canceled. Additionally, because limits were placed on entering RERF premises with a view
toward preventing COVID-19 in FY2021 as well, RERF could not fulfill an outside request
for training. Instead, educational materials, such as an RERF introductory video andpamphlets, were provided.
3) RERF cooperated in the 30th anniversary Symposium of NASHIM’s foundation sponsoredby NASHIM (February 20, 2022) and sent lecturers. Furthermore, the symposium was held
online.
4) There was no invitation for the MHLW-sponsored International Exchange and Research
Program in FY2021 as well, so we did not recruit trainees from abroad.
5) The Department of Statistics recruited investigators who will participate in the International
Fellowships for Research in Japan program, sponsored by the Japan Society for the7Promotion of Science (JSPS), on the RERF external website; since there was no applicant
in FY2021, however, the department could not apply to the relevant program.
6. Public Information Programsi)

RERF public lecture series
RERF’s new public lecture series, initiated in FY2019, targets peace volunteer guides
among other such individuals, in partnership with external organizations such as theHiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. In FY2021, this series was halted due to thecoronavirus pandemic.

ii) RERF Open House events
RERF held the 26th and 24th Open House events at its Hiroshima and Nagasaki laboratories.
For the first time, the event was held jointly by Hiroshima and Nagasaki, using a virtual,
online format, out of consideration of the effects of the continued spread of the coronavirus.
The number of viewers who accessed the videos made specifically for the Open House
events was 1,824.
iii) Strengthening of social media-related activities
In FY2021, obtaining understanding from atomic bomb survivors, the second-generationof children, local communities, and the media was positioned as the most important task
facing RERF, and social media was effectively used to reach that goal. RERF’s Facebook
page had 855 followers as of March 31, 2022. RERF’s English and Japanese Twitter
accounts had reached 573 followers in total by March 31, 2022. RERF paid particularattention to the creation of videos for posting on the website, Facebook page, and YouTube
channel as part of our social media work. Videos made that year numbered 19 and weremainly designed for the Open House event.
Given the limited contact with the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic, social media
such as Facebook and Twitter have become the most effective method of communicatingwith the outside world.
iv) Promotion of public relations activities targeting media
RERF planned gatherings and study sessions with the media in FY2021 to improve andstrengthen relations, but such interactions were canceled due to the coronavirus. Based on
RERF’s continued efforts to fully engage with the media and provide story ideas, thenumber of published articles featuring RERF in FY2021 totaled 69 as of March 31, 2022.
v) Enhancement of RERF website• During FY2021, the new homepage was regularly updated with revised information andthe section on published scientific papers was reorganized for easier navigation andgreater understanding of the RERF system of paper categorization.
• During FY2021, focus was placed on conveying readily understandable research-related
and other information to the public through the utilization of more video and othermethods, particularly at the time of the Open House events.
• Starting in FY2018, when papers are published in scientific journals, new easy-to-follow
synopses have been posted on the public website. That synopses were further refined in
FY2021 for timely dissemination of information.
• The total number of RERF website hits, or page views, between April 1, 2021, andMarch 31, 2022, was 609,602, with the daily average being 1, 670. The total number of8website visitors for the same period was 273,323, with the daily average being 749.**These numbers are the result of a new system of assessment called Google Analytics,
the use of which was initiated in June 2018.
vi) Enhancement of online news-delivery system
In FY2021, RERF’s email magazine system, E-News, which replaced the printed Update
newsletter, was enhanced in terms of content and used to not only distribute the latest
research results and information about RERF events and activities but also to attract readers
to RERF as “members,” by offering a sense of “buy-in” with respect to RERF as anorganization. The total number of subscribers to the RERF email magazine as of March 31,
2022, was 388 people.
vii) School Visit Program
The RERF School Visit Program—which is an attempt to teach radiation health effects toschool children using readily understandable language—was scheduled to continue inFY2021 but had to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
viii) Facility tours
Each fiscal year, RERF tries to handle the many requests for facility tours that come in,with the aim of introducing the foundation’s history and research activities. In FY2021,
facility tours were canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, but the Hiroshima
Laboratory was able to use outside lecture venues and RERF’s Hijiyama Hall duringcertain periods to introduce to the public RERF and its research work.
ix) Internship (work experience) project
RERF has been accepting interns, mostly those with scientific backgrounds, for some time.
In FY2021, the plan was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.
x) Other public relations activities• RERF actively promoted the organization’s important scientific papers to the media via
press releases and remote press conferences, when it was possible to do so.
• RERF tried to conduct training for staff to be able to provide RERF facility tours in
English, but due to its desire to protect the aging A-bomb survivor participants in RERF
studies from COVID-19, RERF was unfortunately unable to provide practicalexperience to such staff.
• By increasing our effort at communicating RERF’s research with the aim of improved
transparency related to RERF research and establishment of good communication withthe public, in particular A-bomb survivors, their children, and the media, the PublicAwareness Campaign (PAC) working group was formed in 2019. In FY2021, the PAC
working group members formed the core of the RERF response to email inquiries fromthe public.
• RERF was unable to target small public groups of A-bomb survivors and their children
to come to RERF and speak with directors and staff about ABCC/RERF history andresearch results, with the aim of achieving greater understanding about RERF, due tothe coronavirus pandemic.

9

（Attachment 1）

FY2021 RERF International Collaborative Activities
I. Participation in international collaborative
activities by RERF directors and staff
members

WHO-related activity
UNSCEAR-related activity
ICRP-related activity
IAEA-related activity
Medical checkup for A-bomb
survivors residing in South
Korea-related activity
OthersII. Acceptance of visitors from overseas forbriefing and training

4 people (Hiroshima)
7 people Visitors related to HICARE
4 people Visitors related to RERF
(International Exchange
1 person
Research Program)
None

Visitors related to MEXT
Visitors related to JICA

None
None

None
None

18 people(Nagasaki)
Visitors related to NASHIM
Total: 34 people

None
Total: 0 people(Hiroshima: 0 people, Nagasaki: 0 people)

I. Participation in international collaborative activities by RERF directors and staff
members (excluding participation in international scientific meetings)
In italics: Funding Organization
1. World Health Organization (WHO)-related activity (4 people)
RERF (hereinafter, all titles represent those at time of participation)(1) Misa Imaizumi, Assistant Department Chief of Clinical Studies (Nagasaki), attended
the ConvEx-3 International Emergency Response Exercise in a part of activities of the
WHO Radiation Emergency Medical Preparedness and Assistance Network(REMPAN) (October 26-27, 2021, Online).
(2) At the request of the WHO, Kazunori Kodama, Executive Director, Misa Imaizumi,
Assistant Department Chief of Clinical Studies (Nagasaki), and Kanya Hamasaki,
Research Scientist, Department of Molecular Biosciences, conducted, with Ohtsura
Niwa, Chairman’s approval, administrative procedures for the re-designation as the
WHO Collaborating Center (February 2022).
2. United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR)-related collaborative activity (7 people)
1) National Institute of Radiological Sciences
Kotaro Ozasa, Department Chief of Epidemiology, attended the UNSCEAR domestic
committee meetings (September 13, 2021, and February 15, 2022, Online).
2) RERF(1) Kotaro Ozasa, Department Chief of Epidemiology, attended meetings as a member ofthe Ad Hoc Working Group on Effects and Mechanisms (April 22, June 15, September
6, October 11, November 10, December 17, 2021, January 24, and February 15, 2022,
Online).

10(2) Kazunori Kodama, Executive Director, and Kotaro Ozasa, Department Chief of
Epidemiology, attended meetings of the Fukushima Follow-up Program as a former
Senior Technical Advisor and a member of the Japanese Working Group, respectively(May 17, July 26 and October 15, 2021, Online).
(3) Eric Grant, Associate Chief of Research, attended meetings as an expert writer for
UNSCEAR Epidemiological studies of Radiation and Cancer (May 27, and June 18,
2021, Online).
(4) Alina Brenner, Senior Scientist, Department of Epidemiology, attended meetings as alead writer for UNSCEAR Epidemiological studies of Radiation and Cancer (May 28,
June 16, June 21-25, October 21-22, November 29, December 13, December 15-16,
2021, January 12, and February 24, 2022, Online).
(5) Kotaro Ozasa, Department Chief of Epidemiology, attended the 68th UNSCEAR
meetings (June21-25, 2021, Online).
3. ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection)-related activity (4 people)(1) Kotaro Ozasa, Department Chief of Epidemiology, attended meetings as a member of
the ICRP Task Group 91 (Dose and Dose Rate Effectiveness Factor) (April 6, May 13,
2021, and March 1, 2022, Online).
(2) Kotaro Ozasa, Department Chief of Epidemiology, attended meetings as a member of
the ICRP Task Group 115 (Risk and Dose Assessment for Radiological Protection of
Astronauts) (May 20, September 29, 2021, January 24 and March 4, 2022, Online).
(3) Tomoki Nakamizo, Division Chief of Radiology of the Department of Clinical Studies,
Nagasaki, attended meetings as a member of the ICRP Task Group 119 (Radiation
Effects on Diseases of the Circulatory System) (September 9, 2021, and March16,
2022, Online).
(4) Kotaro Ozasa, Department Chief of Epidemiology, attended annual conferences as amember of ICRP Committee 1 (November 2-5, and November 29, 2021, Online).
4. IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)-related activity (1 person)
Ohtsura Niwa, Chairman, gave a lecture at the Technical Meeting on Radiation in Medicine
Communications and Methodologies – International Perspectives and the Role of Science,
Technology and Society in Low-Dose Radiation Settings (Online seminar, November 9,2021).
5. Medical checkup for A-bomb survivors residing in South Korea-related activity (0 person)
This activity was not done in FY2021.
6. Others (18 people)(1) Kazunori Kodama, Executive Director, took the lead in various administrative
procedures for redesignating HICARE (Hiroshima International Council for HealthCare of the Radiation- Exposed) a collaborating center of the IAEA (International
Atomic Energy Association) (August 2021).
(2) Robert Ullrich, Vice Chairman, and Eric Grant, Associate Chief of Research, attended
the Radiation Research Society（RRS）’s virtual meeting, and Alina Brenner, Senior
Scientist, Department of Epidemiology, gave a presentation (October 3-6, 2021,
Puerto Rico, Online).
(3) Eric Grant, Associate Chief of Research, gave a lecture to Radiation Effects
Association (REA) (November 4, 2021).
(4) Eric Grant, Associate Chief of Research, attended the meetings as a member of the2022 Radiation Research Society (RRS) Program Committee (December 16, 2021,

11

January 20, February 23, March 14, 2022, Online).
(5) Kotaro Ozasa, Department Chief, Alina Brenner, Senior Scientist, and Hiromi
Sugiyama, Senior Scientist, Department of Epidemiology, gave presentations at the
IsoRed Webinar Series featuring Radiation Epidemiology and Dosimetry at RERF
(January 12, 2022, Online).
(6) Eric Grant, Associate Chief of Research, attended the National Council on Radiation
Protection and Measurements (NCRP) meetings as a Program Committee Chairman
for the 2023 NCRP meeting (January 13 and 26, 2022, Online).
(7) Robert Ullrich, Vice Chairman, gave a seminar at the Public Meeting of the National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine - Developing a Long-Term
Strategy for Low-Dose Radiation Research in the United States (January 24-25, 2022,
USA, Online).
(8) Ohtsura Niwa, Chairman, participated in a lecture at the 6th International Symposiumof the Network-type Joint Usage/Research Center for Radiation Disaster Medical
Science (February 7, 2022, Online).
(9) Kazunori Kodama, Executive Director, attended the NASHIM (Nagasaki Associationfor Hibakushas’ Medical Care) 30th Anniversary Symposium as a panelist (February
20, 2022, Online).
(10) Eric Grant, Associate Chief of Research, attended the meetings as a member of the
Radiation Research Society (RRS) Finance Committee (February 23, 2022, Online).
(11) Ohtsura Niwa, Chairman, gave a lecture in person, and Kazunori Kodama, Executive
Director, remotely attended the 2022 Fukushima Medical University’s International
Symposium on the Fukushima Health Management Survey (March 5, 2022, Online).
(12) Eric Grant, Associate Chief of Research, attended the “Scientific Committee 1-27” of
the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) (March 2829, 2022, Online).
(13) Kanya Hamasaki, Research Scientist, Department of Molecular Biosciences, attended
EPR Biodose 2022 conference (March 28-30, 2022, Online).

II. Acceptance of visitors from overseas for briefing and training
International Council for Health Care of Radiation-exposed (HICARE), the Nagasaki
Association for Hibakushas’ Medical Care (NASHIM), and the like, was completely canceledin FY2021.

12

（Attachment 2）

FY2021
Joint programs between RERF and overseas researchers/research organizations
In italics: Funding Organization
1. Collaborative studies between RERF and US National Cancer Institute (NCI)(1) Under the research contract entered into by and between RERF and the US National
Cancer Institute (NCI), in which Kotaro Ozasa, Department Chief of Epidemiology,
served as a responsible person of the RERF side, analysis of solid cancer incidencerisks in the LSS cohort, site-specific cancer studies based on histopathologicaldiagnoses, and preliminary reviews for genomic analysis of thyroid cancer wereconducted based on this contract.
The following papers have been published (RERF authors underlined):
Fujihara M, Sakata R, Yoshida N, Ozasa K, Preston DL, Mabuchi K. Incidence oflymphoid neoplasms among atomic bomb survivors by histological subtype: 19501994. Blood 2022; 139(2):217-27
Brenner AV, Preston DL, Sakata R, Cologne JB, Sugiyama H, Utada M, Cahoon EK,
Grant EJ, Mabuchi K, Ozasa K. Comparison of all solid cancer mortality and incidence
dose-response in the Life Span Study of atomic bomb survivors, 1958-2009. Radiat
Res 2022; [Epub]:1-18 [RP1-75, RP18-61]
Sugiyama H, Misumi M, Sakata R, Brenner AV, Utada M, Ozasa K. Mortality amongindividuals exposed to atomic bomb radiation in utero; 1950-2012. Eur J Epidemiol
2021; 36(4):415-28 [RP2-61]
Utada M, Brenner AV, Preston DL, Cologne JB, Sakata R, Sugiyama H, Kato N, Grant
EJ, Cahoon EK, Mabuchi K, Ozasa K. Radiation risk of ovarian cancer in atomic bomb
survivors: 1958-2009. Radiat Res 2021; 195(1):60-65 [RP1-75, RP18-61]
Grant EJ, Yamamura M, Brenner AV, Preston DL, Utada M, Sugiyama H, Sakata R,
Mabuchi K, Ozasa K. Radiation risks for the incidence of kidney, bladder and otherurinary tract cancers: 1958-2009. Radiat Res 2021; 195(2):140-8 [RP1-75, RP18-61](2) Ritsu Sakata, Assistant Department Chief, and Alina Brenner, Senior Scientist,
Department of Epidemiology, are joining with the data of tumor of the central nervous
system from RERF as a part of the pooled analysis conducted by the scientists ofRadiation Epidemiology Branch, NCI.
(3) Ritsu Sakata, Assistant Department Chief of Epidemiology, is joining with the data ofradiation-associated thyroid cancers from RERF as a part of the pooled analysis
conducted by the scientists of Radiation Epidemiology Branch, NCI.
2.

Collaboration between RERF and the/Asia Cohort Consortium (ACC)
Ritsu Sakata, Assistant Department Chief of Epidemiology, is joining the collaborative
project with the ACC entitled: Tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, body mass index andrisk of rare cancers.

3.

Collaboration between RERF and Institute of Cancer Research, UK and US National Instituteof Environmental
Alina Brenner, Senior Scientist, Department of Epidemiology, is joining withpremenopausal breast cancer data from RERF as a part of the pooled analysis conducted by13

Dr. Anthony Swerdlow of Institute of Cancer Research, UK, and Dr. Hazel Nichols of US
National Institute of Environmental.
4.

Collaboration between RERF and University of Washington
RERF entered into a research contract with the University of Washington (Department of
Epidemiology and Department of Biostatistics), for which Richard Sposto, Department
Chief of Statistics served as coordinator. Under this contract, RERF supported the training
and education of MS and PhD students in epidemiology and biostatistics and conductedcollaborative research with students and their advisors. Research projects focused on
analyses of cancer incidence and mortality outcomes in the LSS, as well as the developmentof new statistical methods for analyzing LSS cohort data.
The following paper has been published (RERF authors underlined):
Hu A, French B, Sakata R, Bhatti P, Bockwoldt B, Grant EJ, Phipps A. The possible impactof passive smoke exposure on radiation-related risk estimates for lung cancer among
women: The Life Span Study of atomic bomb survivors. Int J Radiat Biol 2021;
97(11):1548-54
Note: The contract research agreement between RERF and the University of Washington,
dated September 16, 2017, expired on December 31, 2021.

5.

RERF international collaborative studies on statistical analyses
Munechika Misumi, Assistant Department Chief of Statistics, continued a collaboration
study with the investigators at Helmholtz München on the mechanistic modeling ofcarcinogenesis having online meeting.

6.

RERF international collaborative studies on radiation dosimetry.
Harry Cullings, Consultant, and Sachiyo Funamoto, Section Chief, Department of Statistics,
collaborated with an international group of dosimetry experts in work to update RERF
radiation dosimetry.

7.

University of Bern international multi-institutional collaborative studies on thyroid
Misa Imaizumi, Assistant Department Chief of Clinical Studies (Nagasaki), Waka Ohishi,
Department Chief of Clinical studies and Michiko Yamada, Division Chief of Radiology of
Department of Clinical Studies are joining with Adult Health Study data from RERF as apart of the pooled analysis of thyroid conducted by Dr. Rodondi of University of Bern,
Switzerland (Thyroid Studies Collaboration).
Van Vliet AN, van Heemst D, Almeida OP, Åsvold BO, Aubert CE, Bae JB, Barnes LE,
Bauer DC, Blauw GJ, Brayne C, Cappola AR, Ceresini G, Comijs HC, Dartigues JF,
Degryse JM, Dullaart RPF, van Eersel MEA, den Elzen WPJ, Ferrucchi L, Fink HA, Ficker
L, Grabe HJ, Han JW, Helmer C, Huisman M, Ikram MA, Imaizumi M, de Jongh RT,
Jukema JW, Kim KW, Kuller LH, Lopez OL, Mooijaart SP, Moon JH, Moutzouri E, Nauck
M, Parle J, Peeters RP, Samuels MH, Schmidt CO, Schminke U, Slagboom PE, Stordal E,
Vaes B, Völzke H, Westendorp RGJ, Yamada M, Yeap BB, Rodondi N, Gussekloo J,
Trompet S. Association of thyroid dysfunction with cognitive function: An individual
participant data analysis. JAMA Intern Med, 2021; 181(11): 1440-50
Syrogiannouli L, Wildisen L, Meuwese C, Bauer DC, Cappola AR, Gussekloo J, den Elzen
W, Trompet S, Westendorp R, Jukema JW, Ferrucci L, Ceresini G, Åsvold BO, Chaker L,
Peeters RP, Imaizumi M, Ohishi W, Vaes B, Völzke H, Sgarbi JA, Walsh JP, Dullaart RPF,
Bakker SJL, Iacoviello M, Rodondi N, Giovane CD for the Thyroid Studies Collaboration.
Incorporating baseline outcome data in individual participant data meta-analysis of nonrandomized studies. Front Psychiatry, 2022; 13: 774251

14令和3年度 外部資金研究一覧表
FY2021 External Research Funds

厚生労働省
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)

2

研究資金（資金拠出機関からの入金額）
Research funds(amount of funds from funding¥1,320,000

独立行政法人 日本学術振興会（文部科学省所管の独立行政法人）
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)

9¥8,710,000

一般財団法人 土谷記念医学振興基金
Tsuchiya Memorial Medical Foundation

1¥1,000,000

国立研究開発法人 国立がん研究センター
National Cancer Center

1

総合計

13

外部機関名称
Name of Outside Organization

件数
Number of
Grants15[Independent administrative entity under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)]Grand total

注）・ 間接費を含む。
・ 研究分担者の配分額を含む。
* 研究協力者として研究参画のため、配分資金の配分なし。
Notes)
・ These amounts include indirect cost.
・ These amounts include subsidies allocated to collaborators.
* No research funds are allocated, because the RERF researcher takes part in the research as a cooperative investigator.

¥0 *¥11,030,000令和3年度 外部資金研究一覧表
FY2021 External Research Funds

研究のタイトル
Title of Research

委託組織の名前と場所及び研究グループのチーフ又は担当の主任研究者
Name and location of entrusting outside organization
Chief of research group or principal investigator in charge

放影研における研究者の名前
Investigator(s) at RERF

研究資金（資金拠出機関からの入金額）
Research funds(amount of funds
from fundingorganizations)

令和3年度
令和3年度
開始日
終了日
関連RP
First project
Last project
Related RPs
date in FY2021 date in FY2021

関連性
Relationship to
RERF's mission

疫学部
Department of Epidemiology
1 社会経済的格差に着目したがん対策に資する空間
疫学的ビッグデータ解析研究
Spatial epidemiological big data analysis research that
contributes to cancer control focusing on socioeconomic disparities

162

国際比較可能ながん登録データの精度管理および他の統計を併用したがん対策への効果的活用の研究Studies on the quality control of internationallycomparable cancer registry data and on the effective
usage for cancer control using other statistics

3

国内外研究連携基盤の積極的活用によるがんリスク評価及び予防ガイドライン提言に関する研究
Study of evaluation of carcinogenetic effects based on
active utilization of domestic and international
research consortia and proposal of cancer prevention
guidelines

日本学術振興会・科学研究費助成事業「基盤研究（B) 」
研究代表者 伊藤 秀美
JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research
Scientific Research (B)Hidemi Ito

研究分担者(Collaborator)
杉山 裕美
Hiromi Sugiyama

March 31, 2022

RP-S2-17

日本人のがんの疫学研究
Epidemiological study of cancer
in Japanese population¥600,000

April 1, 2021

March 31, 2022

RP-S2-17

日本人のがんの疫学研究
Epidemiological study of cancer
in Japanese population

研究協力者のため、研究資金の配分なし
Since this person is acooperative
investigator, researchfunds were notallocated to her

April 1, 2021

March 31, 2022

RP-A2-15

日本人のがんの疫学研究
Epidemiological study of cancer
in Japanese population

間接経費(Indirect cost)¥60,000

厚生労働省・厚生労働科学研究費補助金
研究分担者「がん対策推進総合研究事業」(Collaborator)
研究代表者 松田 智大
杉山 裕美
国立研究開発法人国立がん研究センター
Hiromi Sugiyama
がん対策情報センターがん登録センター
全国がん登録室長
Health and Labour Sciences Research Grants (MHLW)
Promotion of Comprehensive Research Project for Cancer
Control
Tomohiro Matsuda
Section Head, Registry Section, National Cancer Registry,
Center for Cancer Registries, Center for Cancer Control andInformation Services, National Cancer Center

国立がん研究センター・国立がん研究センター研究
開発費
研究代表者 井上 真奈美
国立研究開発法人国立がん研究センター
社会と健康研究センター 予防研究部 部長
National Cancer Center
Funds for Cancer Research and Related Technology
Development
Manami Inoue
Chief, Division of Cohort Consortium Research,
Epidemiology and Prevention Group, Center for Public
Health Sciences,
National Cancer Center

April 1, 2021

直接経費
(Direct cost)¥200,000

研究協力者(Cooperative Investigator)
坂田 律
Ritsu Sakata令和3年度 外部資金研究一覧表
FY2021 External Research Funds

研究のタイトルTi le of Research

委託組織の名前と場所及び研究グループのチーフ又は担当の主任研究者
Name and location of entrusting outside organization
Chief of research group or principal investigator in charge

放影研における研究者の名前
Investigator(s) at RERF

研究資金（資金拠出機関からの入金額）
Research funds(amount of funds
from fundingorganizations)

令和3年度
開始日
First projectdate in FY2021¥720,000

April 1, 2021

March 31, 2022

RP 2-75
RP 6-08
RP 1-15

広範囲な医学的調査（生活習慣病）
Broad-based
medical research(Lifestyle disease)

直接経費(Direct cost)¥300,000

April 1, 2021

March 31, 2022

RP 6-70
RP 5-90
RP-S2-15
RP 5-02
RP-P2-19

がん研究（被爆者がん研究への応用）
Cancer research(Application to cancer researchamong A-bomb survivors)

April 1, 2021

March 31, 2022

RP 6-70
RP 5-90
RP-S2-15
RP 5-02

がん研究（被爆者がん研究への応用）
Cancer research(Application to cancer researchamong A-bomb survivors)

令和3年度
終了日
関連RP
Last project
Related RPs
date in FY2021

関連性
Relationship to
RERF's mission

臨床研究部
Department of Clinical Studies
1

2

17
3

生涯にわたる循環器疾患の個人リスクおよび集団リスクの評価ツールの開発及び臨床応用のための研究
Assessments and clinical application of long-term
predictability of cardiovascular risk factors in bothindividual and population levels

厚生労働省・厚生労働科学研究費補助金「循環器疾患・糖尿病等生活習慣病対策総合研究事業」

研究代表者 村上 義孝
東邦大学医学部 教授
Health and Labour Sciences Research Grants (MHLW)
Comprehensive Research on Life-Style Related Diseases
including Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes Mellitus
Yoshitaka Murakami
Professor,
Graduate School of Medicine, Toho University

研究分担者 (Collaborator)
山田 美智子Michiko Yamada
研究協力者(Cooperative Investigator)
立川 佳美
Yoshimi Tatsukawa

被爆による造血器腫瘍発症に関与する分子機構の解明と今後への展望
Identification of molecular mechanisms related todevelopment of hematological malignancies byatomic-bomb

日本学術振興会・科学研究費助成事業「若手研究 」
研究代表者 吉田 稚明
JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research
Early-Career Scientists
Noriaki Yoshida

研究代表者 (P.I.)
吉田 稚明
Noriaki Yoshida

被爆後早期に発症した白血病症例の分子病理学
的解析
Pathological and molecular characterization ofleukemia developed shortly after A-bomb radiation
exposure

一般財団法人 土谷記念医学振興基金研究代表者 吉田 稚明
Tsuchiya Memorial Medical Foundation
Noriaki Yoshida

研究代表者 (P.I.)
吉田 稚明
Noriaki Yoshida

間接経費(Indirect cost)¥90,000¥1,000,000令和3年度 外部資金研究一覧表
FY2021 External Research Funds

研究のタイトルTi le of Research

委託組織の名前と場所及び研究グループのチーフ又は担当の主任研究者
Name and location of entrusting outside organization
Chief of research group or principal investigator in charge

放影研における研究者の名前
Investigator(s) at RERF

研究資金（資金拠出機関からの入金額）
Research funds(amount of funds
from fundingorganizations)

令和3年度
開始日
First projectdate in FY2021

令和3年度
終了日
関連RP
Last project
Related RPs
date in FY2021

関連性
Relationship to
RERF's mission

統計部
Department of Statistics
1 Fused-lassoによる広島・長崎の被爆に関する時空間リスク推定モデルの開発
Development of a spatio-temporal risk estimation modelfor Hiroshima and Nagasaki exposures by Fused-lasso

日本学術振興会・科学研究費助成事業「基盤研究（B) 」
研究代表者 山村 麻理子
JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research
Scientific Research (B)Mariko Yamamura

研究代表者 (P.I.)
山村 麻理子Mariko Yamamura

直接経費(Direct cost)¥2,400,000

研究分担者 (Collaborator)
坂田 律
Ritsu Sakata

間接経費(Indirect cost)¥720,000

April 1, 2021

March 31, 2022

広島大学の研究分担者への配分額は、上記の研究資金に含まれている。
The above amount includes funds allocated to thecollaborators at Hiroshima University

RP 1-75

LSS
LSS

18

令和3年度 外部資金研究一覧表
FY2021 External Research Funds

研究のタイトル
Title of Research

委託組織の名前と場所及び研究グループのチーフ又は担当の主任研究者
Name and location of entrusting outside organization
Chief of research group or principal investigator in charge

放影研における研究者の名前
Investigator(s) at RERF

研究資金（資金拠出機関からの入金額）
Research funds(amount of funds
from fundingorganizations)

令和3年度
開始日
First projectdate in FY2021

令和3年度
終了日
関連RP
Last project
Related RPs
date in FY2021

関連性
Relationship to
RERF's mission

分子生物科学部
Department of Molecular Biosciences
1 放射線の遺伝影響研究を目的として、マウス精原細胞の染色体に構造変異を持ち込む
Introduction of chromosome structural changes into
mouse spermatogonia cells for the analysis of theirtransmission to next generation

日本学術振興会・科学研究費助成事業｢基盤研究 (C)｣研究代表者 野田 朝男
JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research
Scientific Research (C)Asao Noda

2 微量変異原評価を可能とする全ゲノム解読に基づく

日本学術振興会・科学研究費助成事業｢基盤研究（A）｣
研究代表者 権藤 洋一
東海大学 医学部基礎医学系 分子生命科学 教授
JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research
Scientific Research (A)Yoichi Gondo
Professor, Department of Molecular Life Sciences,
Tokai University School of Medicine

3 放射線発癌と体細胞変異に対する抗酸化ストレス転写

日本学術振興会・科学研究費助成事業「基盤研究（C） 」
研究代表者 田邉 修
JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research
Scientific Research (C)Osamu Tanabe

網羅的自然発生突然変異検出系の開発
Development of comprehensive identification of
spontaneous mutations based on whole genome
sequencing applicable for the assessment of low-dose
mutagens

19
因子NRF2による防御作用の検討
Possible Roles of Oxidative Stress Response inProtection against Radiation-induced Mutagenesis andOncogenesis

April 1, 2021

March 31, 2022

RP-P3-17

GS細胞染色体への構造変異導入
Introduction of chromosome
structural changes by gene editing
technology

研究協力者のため、研究資金の配分なし
Since this person is acooperative
investigator, researchfunds were notallocated to him

April 1, 2021

March 31, 2022

No RP

放射線被曝の遺伝的影響
Genetic effects ofradiation exposure研究代表者 (P.I.)
田邉 修
Osamu Tanabe

直接経費(Direct cost)¥200,000

April 1, 2021

March 31, 2022

RP-P3-19

研究分担者 (Collaborator)
松田 由喜子(分子生物科学部）
Yukiko Matsuda(Dept Molecular Biosciences)
吉田 稚明（臨床研究部）
Noriaki Yoshida（Dept Clinical Studies）

間接経費(Indirect cost)¥60,000

放射線による発がんメカニズムの解明とその予防法の開発に貢献
Contribution to the elucidation of
mechanisms of radiation
oncogenesis and to thedevelopment of methods to preventit研究代表者 (P.I.)
野田 朝男
Asao Noda

直接経費(Direct cost)¥1,000,000

研究分担者 (Collaborator)
濱﨑 幹也
Kanya Hamasaki

間接経費(Indirect cost)¥300,000

研究協力者(Cooperative Investigator)
内村 有邦
Arikuni Uchimura令和3年度 外部資金研究一覧表
FY2021 External Research Funds

研究のタイトル
Title of Research

委託組織の名前と場所及び研究グループのチーフ又は担当の主任研究者
Name and location of entrusting outside organization
Chief of research group or principal investigator in charge

放影研における研究者の名前
Investigator(s) at RERF

研究資金（資金拠出機関からの入金額）
Research funds(amount of funds
from fundingorganizations)

令和3年度
開始日
First projectdate in FY2021

令和3年度
終了日
関連RP
Last project
Related RPs
date in FY2021

関連性
Relationship to
RERF's mission

分子生物科学部
Department of Molecular Biosciences
4 脊髄小脳変性症モデルマウスを用いたCRISPR/Cas13
による新しい核酸医療
New oligonucleotide therapy using CRISPR/Cas13 inspinocerebellar ataxia model mice

日本学術振興会・科学研究費助成事業｢基盤研究 (C)｣研究代表者 松田 由喜子
JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research
Scientific Research (C)Yukiko Matsuda

研究代表者 (P.I.)
松田 由喜子Yukiko Matsuda

直接経費(Direct cost)¥700,000

April 1, 2021

March 31, 2022

No RP

なし
None

No RP

原爆被爆者におけるがん細胞像の生物物理学メカニズムの解明
Understand biophysical mechanismof cancer cell imaging in A-bomb
survivors

間接経費(Indirect cost)¥210,00020

広島大学原爆放射線医科学研究所の研究員（非常勤）の立場で研究代表者として当研究所の就業時間
外に広島大学において行われる。当該科研費の管理および係る交付申請、実績報告書等の提出事務はすべて広島大学が行う。
As the part-time researcher of RIRBM in Hiroshima
University, this project is performed at Hiroshima
University outside working hours All management of
this funds and submission of reprots, etc are done by
Hiroshima University

5 がん細胞の力学モデルの構築と病理診断への応用
Mechanical model of cancer cells and its application topathology

日本学術振興会・科学研究費助成事業｢挑戦的研究（萌芽）｣研究代表者 今井 正幸
JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research
Challenging Research (Exploratory)
Masayuki Imai

研究分担者 (Collaborator)
鶴山 竜昭Tatsuaki Tsuruyama

直接経費(Direct cost)¥1,000,000
間接経費(Indirect cost)¥300,000

April 1, 2021

March 31, 2022

令和3年度 外部資金研究一覧表
FY2021 External Research Funds

研究のタイトル
Title of Research

委託組織の名前と場所及び研究グループのチーフ又は担当の主任研究者
Name and location of entrusting outside organization
Chief of research group or principal investigator in charge

放影研における研究者の名前
Investigator(s) at RERF

研究資金（資金拠出機関からの入金額）
Research funds(amount of funds
from fundingorganizations)

令和3年度
令和3年度
開始日
終了日
関連RP
First project
Last project
Related RPs
date in FY2021 date in FY2021

関連性
Relationship to
RERF's mission

情報技術部
Department of Information Technology
1 ワイヤレスセンシングと機械学習による猟師向けリアル

タイム獣流推定に関する研究
Study concerning the use of wireless sensing andmachine learning by hunters to estimate the movementsof wildlife real-time

日本学術振興会・科学研究費助成事業「若手研究 」
研究代表者 小野 悟
JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research
Early-Career Scientists
Satoru Ono

研究代表者 (P.I.)
小野 悟
Satoru Ono

直接経費(Direct cost)¥900,000
間接経費(Indirect cost)¥270,000

April 1, 2021

March 31, 2022

No RP

診療録を始めとする紙媒体のス
キャンデータを分類するための手法の構築には、本研究で用いる機械学習を用いた行動情報の分類に関する研究が有用に機能すると考えられる。
This research which will
examine machine-learning-based
dog's movement dataclassification, will expect tocontribute to the creation of abest-fit classification method for
medical charts and other paper
documents

21

令和3年度 特別会計一覧表
FY2021 Special Funds
件数
Number of
Funds

資金合計
Amount of Funding
Total

厚生労働省
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)

2¥17,837,000

米国国立がん研究所（NCI）契約
U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI） Contract

1¥3,701,335

広島県
Hiroshima Prefecture

1¥15,739,885

長崎県
Nagasaki Prefecture

1¥8,700,000

総合計

5¥45,978,220

資金拠出機関名称
Name of Funding Agency

22

Grand total

注）・ 間接費を含む。
・ 研究分担者の配分額を含む。
Notes)
・ These amounts include indirect cost.
・ These amounts may include subsidies allocated to collaborators.

௧࿴ᖺᗘ ≉ู఍ィ୍ぴ⾲
FY2021 Special Funds◊✲ࡢࢱ࢖ࢺࣝ
Title of Researchᨺᙳ◊࡟࠾ࡅࡿዎ⣙⪅/◊✲⪅ࡢྡ๓
Investigator(s) at RERF㈨㔠ᣐฟᶵ㛵࠿ࡽࡢධ㔠㢠
Amount of Funds
from Funding
Agencies㛤ጞ᪥
Initiation
Date

⤊஢᪥
Termination
Date

㛵㐃RP
Related RPs
RP 6-15
RP 2-20

㛵㐃ᛶ
Relationship to
RERF's mission◊✲ศᢸ⪅(Collaborative Investigators)኱▼ ࿴ె
Waka Ohishi¥15,963,000

April 1,2021

March 31,2022ཌ⏕ປാ┬࣭ጤク஦ᴗ୹⩚ ኴ㈏MHLW Entrustment
Ohtsura Niwa

ཷク⪅(Contractor)୹⩚ ኴ㈏Ohtsura Niwa

¥1,874,000

December
20,
2021

March 31,2022⡿ᅜᅜ❧ࡀࢇ◊✲ᡤ㸦NCI㸧ዎ⣙⡿ᅜ࣓࣮ࣜࣛࣥࢻᕞ࣋ࢭࢫࢲࠊ
⡿ᅜᅜ❧ࡀࢇ◊✲ᡤ
NCIዎ⣙ 75N91019P00167
୺௵◊✲⪅ ᑠ➲ ᫭ኴ㑻
U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) Contract
National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland,
USA
NCI Contract 75N91019P00167
Kotaro Ozasa

୺௵◊✲⪅(Program Director)ᑠ➲ ᫭ኴ㑻
Kotaro Ozasa◊✲⟶⌮⪅(Project Managers)࢚ࣜࢵࢡ ࢢࣛࣥࢺ
Eric J. Grantࣜࢳ࣮ࣕࢻ ࢫ࣏ࢫࢺRichard Sposto┤᥋⤒㈝(Direct cost)¥2,467,559

August 1,
2019

July 31,2021

RP 1-75
RP 18-61
RP 3-94
RP 1-06
RP 4-07
RP 5-08
RP 6-10
RP-S5-19
RP-S2-20
RP-S1-21
RP-S2-21ࡀࢇࡢ␿Ꮫ◊✲ࠊ
LSSࠊ⫾ෆ⿕⇿⪅ࠊ
F1㞟ᅋ
Epidemiological study of cancer,
LSS, in utero , andF1 populations

ࡀࢇⓏ㘓᥎㐍஦ᴗ
Cancer Registry Promotional Projectᗈᓥ┴࣭ጤク஦ᴗ୹⩚ ኴ㈏Hiroshima Prefecture
Ohtsura Niwa

ཷク⪅(Contractor)୹⩚ ኴ㈏Ohtsura Niwa

¥15,739,885

April 1,2021

March 31,2022

RP18-61
RP29-60
RPs18-61&
29-60㝃ᒓ᭩ࡀࢇࡢ␿Ꮫ◊✲ࠊ
LSSࠊ⫾ෆ⿕⇿⪅ࠊ
F1㞟ᅋ
Epidemiological study of cancer,
LSS, in utero, andF1 populations㛗ᓮ┴ࡀࢇⓏ㘓࣭ホ౯஦ᴗ
Nagasaki Prefecture Cancer Registry Program㛗ᓮ┴࣭ጤク஦ᴗ୹⩚ ኴ㈏Nagasaki Prefecture
Ohtsura Niwa

ཷク⪅(Contractor)୹⩚ ኴ㈏Ohtsura Niwa

¥8,700,000

April 1,2021

March 31,2022

RP18-61
RP29-60
RPs18-61&
29-60㝃ᒓ᭩ࡀࢇࡢ␿Ꮫ◊✲ࠊ
LSSࠊ⫾ෆ⿕⇿⪅ࠊ
F1㞟ᅋ
Epidemiological study of cancer,
LSS, in utero, andF1 populationsᨺᑕ⥺ᴗົᚑ஦⪅ࡢ೺ᗣᙳ㡪࡟㛵ࡍࡿ␿Ꮫ◊✲
Epidemiological study of health effects inradiation workersཌ⏕ປാ┬࣭ປ⅏⑌⑓⮫ᗋ◊✲஦ᴗ㈝⿵
ຓ㔠◊✲௦⾲⪅ ኱ஂಖ ฼᫭⊂❧⾜ᨻἲேປാ⪅೺ᗣᏳ඲ᶵᵓ ປാᏳ඲⾨⏕⥲ྜ◊✲ᡤ ປാ⪅ᨺᑕ⥺㞀ᐖ㜵Ṇ◊✲ࢭࣥࢱ࣮ ࢭࣥࢱ࣮㛗Research Grant for Clinical Studies of WorkRelatedIllness (MHLW)
Toshiteru Okubo
Director, Research Center for Prevention from
Radiation Hazards of Workers, National Institute of
Iccupational Safety and Health, Japan Organizationof Occupational Health and Safety123ཎ⇿⿕⇿⪅ࡢ⏕≀ヨᩱࡢಖ⟶ཬࡧά⏝࡟㛵ࡍࡿ◊✲஦ᴗ
2 Research Program on preservation and use of
the A-bomb survivors' biosamplesཎ⇿⿕⇿⪅ࡢࡀࢇ⨯ᝈࢹ࣮ࢱࡢ᭦᪂
Updated cancer incidence data in the atomicbomb survivors.

3

4

5

ጤク⤌⧊ࡢྡ๓࡜ሙᡤཬࡧ◊✲ࢢ࣮ࣝࣉࡢࢳ࣮ࣇཪࡣᢸᙜࡢ୺௵◊✲⪅Name and location of entrusting outsideorganization/Chief of research group or principal
investigator in charge㛫᥋⤒㈝(Indirect cost)¥1,233,776ᮾ㟁⚟ᓥ➨୍ཎⓎ஦ᨾฎ⌮⥭ᛴసᴗᚑ஦⪅ࡢ㛗ᮇ␿Ꮫㄪᰝ
Long term follow-up
epidemiological study on
emergency workers of TEPCO,
Fukushima 1F Nuclear Power
Plant accident.

ཎ⇿⿕⇿⪅ࡢ⏕≀ヨᩱࡢಖ⟶ཬࡧά⏝Preservation and use of the Abomb survivors' biosamples

II. Operation and management of RERF
1. Research Resource Center
The Research Resource Center (RRC) is envisioned to be a core component of RERF's
infrastructure. The successful implementation and execution of the RRC is a necessarycomponent to advance RERF’s strategic plans.
The RRC’s mission is 3-fold. The mission includes:
Protect, index, and integrate RERF's research assets. These include data, biosample
inventories, paper records, artifacts, manuscripts, datasets and programming scripts, as wellas other historically important articles. Access to research data will be made through a web
portal with clear accessibility rules that protect the privacy of our subjects.
Enhance RERF’s ability to perform research by integrating all data and biosample
inventories. Tools for data visualization, data assembly, and analysis will simplify andstandardize access, and facilitate research.
Provide an administrative framework to use and share RERF resources and facilitatecontracts and grants via a new office (Office of Research Support).
As part of a “two-step” process to initiate the RRC, a new ad hoc committee was created by
RERF’s Executive Committee under the recommendation of the Preparatory Committee for
the Establishment of the Research Resource Center. The new committee (The Research
Resource Operating Committee), chaired by Dr. Grant will advise on steps and priorities toestablish the RRC. Immediate actions identified include expanding the ITD by creating a
new section (the Research Resource Section) to oversee technical development; expand the
Library and Archives Section to aid in the development and implementation of a Content
Management System (CMS) to centralize and protect all text and paper-based materials; toinitiate the Office of Research Support in the Secretariat to begin to identify and automate
administrative procedures for research. All activities in the ITD will be managed by the
Chief of ITD. Activities over the past year include initiating a pilot project of a CMS using
contract help from a firm in Tokyo. Applying for an academic grant to allow CMS technicaldevelopment and build a collaboration with the Medical Archives group at the University ofHiroshima. Initiating the Scanning Center at the Hiroshima laboratory to allow individual
researchers or sections to scan and upload local materials for long-term storage. The Gen3
Data Commons framework pilot project was discontinued as of March 2021, largely due tothe COVID pandemic precluding an internship of a visiting engineer. A small RRC“Technical Team” met throughout the year to specify technical requirements andfunctionality of our vision of the RRC.
2. Review on the relocation of the Hiroshima Laboratory
We proceeded with deliberations on the two candidate relocation sites to achieve RERF’s
strategic plans: The Hiroshima Comprehensive Health Center and Hiroshima University’s
Kasumi Campus.
3. Transition to a full audit
RERF is aiming to obtain a full audit by an external auditing firm to supplement the audit
by the Auditors. For the full audit, we have selected Deloitte Touch Tohmatsu LLC, which
has been providing us with Agreed Upon Procedures services since FY2007 and since
FY2016 internal audit assistance services. In October 2021, we signed a contract for24performing investigation services for the audit. The preliminary investigation for the audit
was conducted in November 2021, and the investigation report was received in Decemberof the same year. We are currently responding to the findings and suggestions for
improvements in the investigation report.
4. Introduction of an attendance and work management system
RERF was required to monitor employee work hours objectively, following the enforcementof the work-style reform law. RERF decided to introduce an attendance and work
management system because it not only allows employee work hours to be monitored
objectively but it also saves labor by having applications for leave filed electronically. Basedon a contract with Team Spirit Inc. signed on April 13, 2021, following an open bidding, thesystem was introduced on January 1, 2022.
5. Revision of the rules and regulations
RERF in FY2021 reviewed its regulations to enhance the public interest incorporated
foundation’s operational framework. The following are main regulations revised or
established: Framework Concerning Plans for Prevention of Misuse of Research Funds, Regulations
Concerning Prevention of and Response to Misuse of Research Funds [Effective date: April
1, 2021]
The regulations prepared in compliance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) were revised so that they could beconsistent with the reality of the operational system of RERF.
 Regulations Concerning Prevention of and Response to Research Misconduct [Effective
date: April 1, 2021]
The regulations were revised to comply with the MEXT’s Guidelines for Responding to
Misconduct in Research.
 Regulations Concerning Rules/Regulations Management [Effective date: April 30, 2021]
Procedures for establishment, revision/abolition, and promulgation of the rules/regulations
were clarified.
 Regulations of Management Authority of Directors [Effective date: June 3, 2021]
Control system of chemical substances was reevaluated to change the general supervisor,
and as a consequence, change was made to the Director in charge of the environment
management (toxic and chemical substances) defined in the appended table related to
Article 7 (Duties of Directors).
 Regulations for Protection of Study Subjects and Regulations for Protection of Personal
Information [Effective date: June 3, 2021]
The Ethical Guidelines for Medical and Health Research Involving Human Subjects andthe Ethics Guidelines for Human Genome/Gene Analysis Research were unified toestablish the Ethical Guidelines for Life-Science and Medical Research Involving Human
Subjects; as a result, the names of guidelines in the Regulations for Protection of Study
Subjects and the Regulations for Protection of Personal Information were changed.
 Operational Procedures of the Biosample Research Center and Detailed Regulations for
Provision of Samples and Sample Information from the Biosample Research Center25

[Established on June 8, 2021]
The operational procedures and the detailed regulations were established.
 Regulations Concerning Handling of Official Seals [Effective date: July 1, 2021]
The rules on the omission of official seals and digital certificates were added, and theNagasaki Laboratory’s bank-registered seals were revised to fit the reality.
 Procedures for Computation of Project-Specific Expenses [Effective date: Aug. 1, 2021]
The procedures were revised to comply with the change made to how to distribute theindirect costs.
 Supplementary Regulations Concerning Organization of the Secretariat [Effective date:Aug. 1, 2021]
The Secretariat’s sections (offices) reevaluated and revised their duties to fit the reality.
 Internal Regulations for Handling of Decision-making Authority [Effective dates: October
1, 2021, and January 1, 2022]
The classification table of the documents to be approved and the authorized decisionmakers was reevaluated and revised to fit the reality. In addition, the authorized decisionmakers for accounting clerical work were partially changed in response to the findings ofthe Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu’s preliminary investigation report.
 Regulations Concerning Documents [Effective date: October 14, 2021]
The rules on the omission of draft documents and change or withdrawal of approved draft
documents were added.
 Standards Concerning Appointment and Payment of Salaries of Fixed-term Research
Scientists, Procedures to partially revise the Procedures for Application of Article 2-4, 2-5of the Procedural Standards Concerning Hiring of Research Scientists (Interim policy forhiring of research scientists) [Effective date: October 26, 2021]
The standards and the procedures on fixed-term research scientists were revised as the termof appointment for those who serve as a department chief or the equivalent was changed to
five years.
 Regulations for Management of Books [Effective date: December 23, 2021]
The regulations on use of the RERF Library’s books were established.
 Regulations for Management of Employee IC Cards [Effective date: January 1, 2022]
The regulations on management and handling of IC cards required for the attendance
management system and the like were established.
 Supplementary Regulations for Administering Contracts [Effective date: January 1, 2022]
The rules on tender deposit and contract guarantee were added.
 Internal Regulations for Handling of Preserved Documents at the Secretariat [Effective
date: January 1, 2022]
The Secretariat’s sections reevaluated the classification and period of preserved documents,
and a rule on electronic documents was added.
 Regulations Concerning Administrative Procedures for Prevention of Correction or
Deletion of Electronic Transaction Data [Effective date: January 1, 2022]

26

The regulations on administrative procedures for preserving and administrating electronic
books and documents were implemented in accordance with the enactment of theElectronic Books/Documents Preservation Act.

27

Appended documents to FY2021 report of activities

There were no items considered to be important matters for supplementing thecontents of the FY2021 report of activities.

28