FY2020 Plans of Activities
I. Plans of Major Activities
Because much of RERF’s research involves longitudinal or large scale long-term studies thattake a significant time to plan and conduct, so a number of ongoing plans for such studies
have already been presented under research achievements. Here we provide highlights of new
research plans or selected plans of note.
1. Research Projects Examining A-bomb Survivors Health1) Radiation and Cancer:
 Papers on cancer incidence risk of the prostate (Mabuchi K, et al.), ovary (Utada M, et al.),and urinary tracts (Grant EJ, et al.), and comparison of cancer incidence and mortality(Brenner A, et al.), and also a summary paper (Brenner A, et al.) will be published. Thenthe series of papers on cancer incidence risk with radiation in the LSS during 1958–2009
will be completed in 2020 in collaboration with the Dept. Statistics and the US National
Cancer Institute. Another project of risk analyses using mechanistic models will be
continued in collaboration with the RERF Dept. Statistics and the Helmholtz Zentrum
München (Sugiyama H).
 Periodical publication of mortality risks for cancer and noncancer disease due to atomic
bomb radiation is the most essential work of Dept. Epidemiology and the LSS Report 15
will be the highest prioritized project in the next few years. Available data and theframework of analyses will be determined and preliminary analyses will begin in
collaboration with Dept. Statistics. Dose-response shape and radiation risks at low doselevels will be investigated considering potential confounding by geospatial factors andvariation in baseline rates. Those analyses will include lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol
drinking, body mass index), some indicators representing socioeconomic status, and so on.
 For this LSS report 15 the Statistics Department will be involved in determining the mostappropriate components of the analysis, such as modelled vs stratified baseline, or ERR vs
EAR modeling, and to help identify, and for some pursue, relevant sub analyses to bereported separately from the main analysis that will supplement or refine the interpretationof the main analytic results. These may include, for example, investigating the importanceof finer resolution spatial demographic data, or examining the influence of high dose
subjects on inference about low dose risk estimation in this more mature cohort.
2) Radiation and Non-Cancer Effects:
 Cardiovascular: Complete the final confirmation of our findings on atherosclerosis andradiation described previously in our 2019 accomplishments section and submit themanuscript in early 2020.
 We will also start to analyze the data on cytokines gathered in the counterpart study (Part 2.
Analysis of the cytokine network regulating differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells inartery), which aims to test the hypothesis that disturbed tissue repair is involved in thepathogenesis of radiation-induced atherosclerosis. This analysis will be conducted jointly
with, or subsequently after the clonal hematopoiesis program project described below
because inflammation could also be involved in the pathogenesis of radiation-induced
atherosclerosis. The research protocol of the latter study will be prepared in late 2020.

13) Immunologic Effects of Radiation:
 A program project will be initiated to test the hypothesis that inflammation associatedclonal growth of lymphocytes in the survivors leads to the cardiovascular diseases such asarteriosclerosis. This program includes four projects: 1) To examine the relationshipbetween clonal growth and mutations of epigenetic modifier genes; 2) examine therelationship between clonal growth and serum inflammatory phenotypes; 3) To detectclonal hematopoiesis after radiation exposure and directly test its role in the developmentof atherosclerosis using mouse models; 4) To further examine this hypothesis using
mathematical modeling of mutant lymphocyte growth after radiation.
2. Research Projects on the Health of A-bomb Survivors Children (F 1 ) Our previous animal model studies identified more small deletions and multisite mutations
in F1 mice of 4 Gy-irradiated spermatogonia and mature oocyte than in those from
unexposed parents. However, larger size mutations including structural variants are notfully understood. Currently, we are developing a new pipeline to detect larger size
mutations using a long-read NGS technique and a mouse mutation accumulation line. With
our new pipeline we hope to uncover the spontaneous occurrence rate and characteristics
of such variants (especially transposon mutations) in mice. After this, we will submit apaper demonstrating the new pipeline for detecting germline de novo large-size mutations
in experimental animals.
 Since the hereditary risk of radiation exposure upon cancer or multifactorial diseases is an
important issue and there are virtually no human data to address it, it is essential that the F 1cohort follow-up be continued for another 30-40 years to evaluate lifetime risk. The thirdround of the longitudinal F 1 clinical study that began in November 2014 was almost
completed and the next round has started. An analysis using continuous values such as
blood pressure, lipid and glucose levels will be considered.
 In the F 1 offspring clinical study, we plan to continue our clinical studies and to integrate
and coordinate with epidemiological and basic genetic studies to develop an institution ofgenetics program. Accordingly, the results will be combined with their epidemiological andgenetics data for multidimensional analyses.
 For WGS study of the human trios including atomic bomb survivors and their offspring in
FY2020, we will make a complete research plan under the review of Genetics Research
Cluster and external advisors. After the reviews, we will submit the research proposal to
IRB and get approval. When research environment (including financial, ethical and social
issues) will have been completely prepared, we will start to access to the participants andget informed consent from them for the WGS study. After getting informed consent, we
will start experiment using WGS.
 By using cultured human cell lines we will examine what method is suitable for the
analysis of Atomic bomb survivors’ samples. We also develop improved methodologies todetect large size mutations and structural variations in analysis of human samples using
knowledge obtained from mouse genome long-read sequencing. In addition, we willdevelop detection method to explore epigenetic status from long read sequencing data.
(Satoh, RP S3-11)
 For a GS cell study, mutations in irradiated GS cell clones will be characterized by aCGH
and WGS analyses, and then the cell clones will be transplanted into Busulfan-treatedtestes of adult male mice. We will then examine the offspring derived from the GS cells for2heritable genetic changes. Along with this experiment, efficiency of spermatogenesis fromthe transplanted GS cells will be analyzed by testis tissue cross sections. As a control, GFP
positive GS cells and testicular cells from GFP positive mice will be used. We plan to makeartificial large scale deletions or inversions in GS cells via newly developed gene editing
systems (Noda, RP-P3-17).
3. Research to Elucidate Individual Radiation Doses and the Effects of A-bombs
 We will complete computations for the current DS02R1 dosimetry system for subjects forwhom these doses have not yet been computed, in particular for parents of F1 subjects.
This is provisional on Masterfile Section’s ability to complete input of revised location
data for these individuals, which we anticipate will occur in FY2020, allowing us tocomplete this task (Funamoto, Shimizu, in consultation with H. Cullings and others).
[RP18-59]
 We will continue to coordinate and participate in Phase I of the project to re-evaluate organ
dosimetry based on revised phantoms to make a go/no go decision to begin formal
implementation of these new doses for all survivors. In the likely event that there is a go
decision, we will begin code modifications, testing, and validation for integrating the newfluence data into the existing dosimetry system (Funamoto, Shimizu, in consultation with
H. Cullings and others). [RP18-59]
4. Project to Release of Research Results and to Collaborate with Other Scientific
Organizations
 Continuing collaborations: Long term collaborations are listed below and these are
expected to continue in 2020:
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:
42 Japanese Institutions
10 North American Institutions
8 European Institutions
1 Asian, Oceanian Institutions
5. Training Programs for Domestic and Overseas Specialists
RERF will hold a training course for non-epidemiologist radiation researchers to learn thebasics of epidemiological research and increase understanding of radiation health risks. In
addition, RERF will train persons capable of working in the fields of radiation protection,
radiation emergency medical care, and radiobiological research.
Activity plans for FY2020i) RERF will hold an epidemiological training course for radiation biologists in Japanagain in FY2020 for enhanced understanding of results from epidemiology research on
A-bomb survivors.

3ii) RERF will accept overseas research trainees to support the activities of suchorganizations as the Hiroshima International Council for Health Care of the Radiationexposed (HICARE), the Nagasaki Association for Hibakusha’s Medical Care
(NASHIM), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
iii) RERF will accept students from domestic and overseas schools/universities for facility
tours, and will provide training sessions on the foundation’s research activities.
iv) RERF will continue to review directions as to its training activities and publicly invite
overseas trainees in the International Exchange Research Program, funded by MHLW,
for FY2020 also.
6. Public Information Programs
From the days of ABCC, its predecessor organization, until the present, RERF has
investigated the medical effects of radiation, in atomic bomb survivors and their children(the second-generation). Because 2020 is the milestone year marking the 75th anniversaryof the atomic bombing, RERF’s public information programs for FY2020 are intended toreach atomic bomb survivors and second-generation atomic bomb survivors who have longunderstood and cooperated in RERF’s research, as well as the local communities ofHiroshima and Nagasaki. We will work on public information programs, outlined below, toensure that the general public can further understand RERF.
i) RERF Open House event
In FY2020, RERF will hold its 26th and 24th Open House events at the Hiroshima andNagasaki RERF Laboratories, respectively. The event will feature various programs,
including exhibitions as well as lectures, and is once again scheduled to be held in
August in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki in FY2020.
ii) Strengthening of social media-related activities
RERF will expand its public relations activities using social media networks such as
Facebook and Twitter, the latter of which was initiated in FY2019. Because the mostimportant task facing RERF is obtaining understanding from atomic bomb survivors,
second-generation, and local communities, social media will be used to achieve that
goal.
iii) Promotion of public relations activities targeting media
Aiming to allow media to accurately understand ABCC-RERF’s research achievements
and to report based on that clear understanding, in FY2020 we will hold lectures andstudy sessions for the media, in continuation from similar efforts made last year.
Through such gatherings with media, we hope to increase awareness and understandingof RERF’s work, as well as to foster closer ties.
iv) Enhancement of RERF website
Following the launch of the renewed RERF website in FY2018, in FY2020 RERF willcontinue aiming at enhancing the homepage. Focus will be placed in particular on
conveying readily understandable research and other information to the public, throughthe utilization of more video and other methods.
v) Enhancement of online news-delivery system
RERF’s email magazine system, which replaced the printed Update newsletter, will beenhanced in terms of content and used to not only distribute the latest research results

4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 an organization.
vi) School Visit ProgramThis program was first established in FY2016 in an attempt to convey to elementary,junior-high, and high-school students the reality of radiation health effects. Based on the
program’s popularity, each year, numbers of requests for such classes increase and a
now stable group of available teachers has provided RERF the opportunity to teach anincreased number of classes. In FY2020, in addition to the conventional school visit
program, we will also work to expand the project by not only teaching students about
radiation but about how to teach the basics of radiation to their peers, in a student-led
education drive.
vii) Internship (work experience) project
RERF has been accepting interns for some time now, but a college student from theUnited States recently requested the Public Relations and Publications Office to allow
her to do an internship during FY2020. The Public Relations and Publications Officeplans to have the trainee learn how to perform RERF’s facility tours, among other suchwork. RERF believes that the intern can enhance communication with young people.
viii) RERF public lecture series
RERF’s new public lecture series, initiated in 2019, targets peace volunteer guides
among other such individuals, in partnership with external organizations such as theHiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. In FY2020, in the same way, RERF will
collaborate with external organizations and continue to hold public lectures using thisnew format, borrowing the organizations’ marketing resources and ability to attract
attendees. Based on such efforts, RERF will be able to provide an opportunity toenhance understanding of the foundation’s research and learn more about radiation’s
health effects to even greater numbers of atomic bomb survivors, second-generation,and general public.
ix) Science Club
RERF will provide a venue for science students at junior-high and senior-high schools
to learn about RERF science. Creation of other such venues for learning about other
RERF specialties in addition to science, such as English, is also under consideration. At
the same time, this activity can be communicated widely on social media, resulting infurther understanding by the public about RERF.
x) Other public relations activities• RERF will actively promote the foundation’s important scientific papers to thedomestic and overseas media via press releases and press conferences.
• With the aim of improving public understanding of RERF research, the Public Officeinitiated in FY2018 a new series of paper synopses that explain research with simpler
prose and smaller word counts than used previously in our “summary explanation”
series for specialists. Through continuation of this series in FY2020, the Office will
aim to improve understanding by the public of RERF’s work.
• A persistent goal again in FY2020 will be the training of more RERF personnel tohandle facility tours in English for overseas visitors.
• By increasing our effort at communicating RERF’s research with the aim of improved
transparency related to RERF research and establishment of good communication with5

the public, in particular A-bomb survivors and their children, the Public-AwarenessCampaign working group was formed in January 2019. In FY2020, the PAC working
group will attempt to provide information on important topics such as the humangenome, genetics studies, and other such topics.
• RERF will continue to target small public groups of A-bomb survivors and theirchildren, who will be invited to come to RERF and speak with directors and staff
about ABCC/RERF history and research results, with the aim of achieving greater
understanding about RERF.
II. Operation and Management of RERF
1. Research Resource CenterWith the establishment of the “Preparatory Committee for Establishment of the Research
Resource Center,” four subcommittees will immediately begin their efforts. The “DataInventory” subcommittee will be responsible for finding datasets that are not being
centrally stored as well as historical datasets that have been stored but are not cataloged oravailable to RERF researchers. The “Scanning” subcommittee will continue to identify
paper records that are in need of scanning and work with vendors to perform a pilot project
to determine time and costs required to scan various types of records currently being held
by RERF. The “Biosample” subcommittee will continue to work with various departments
at RERF who have stored biological samples but whose samples have not been centrally
inventoried. The 4th committee on “Administration” will begin making decisions on how toposition the RRC in RERF’s hierarchy and determine staffing, budget, and leadership
positions.
In addition to these efforts, we will endeavor to hire an intern from the University of
Chicago to work over the summer on beginning to populate the Gen3 Data Commons with
RERF data and build a suitable interface to the data. This is a project that will initiallyrequire outside expertise. Two new computer scientists should begin work for RERF in
April. After their initial training, it is hoped that one of them will begin to work closelywith the Gen3 Data Commons in an effort to continue the development work required at
RERF.
The development of the “Office of Collaborative Research and Grant Support” would pay
immediate dividends at RERF. The office could spearhead efforts to continue to develop
institutional policies for data sharing, and develop more stream-lined and standardized
procedures and approval processes for data sharing. Currently, RERF staff are responsible
for handling these administrative burdens, which lowers enthusiasm for engaging insharing research projects and reduces our researchers’ abilities to perform their own
research.
It is hoped that an office for the RRC can be set up for developers and allow them to begin
to field questions on data access. The top priority for the RRC is to make data access easierfor RERF researchers—making initial steps to facilitate this process and understand theneeds of the researchers should be made early in the development process rather than as apost hoc step.
2. Review on the relocation of the Hiroshima Laboratory
For Hiroshima Laboratory’s relocation, we will clarify the function and floor spacerequirements of research facilities to achieve RERF’s Strategic Plans and draft specificplans.

6

3. Introduction of an attendance and work management system
With the enforcement of a work-style reform law enacted in June 2018, RERF willcontinue the purchase procedures as part of the initiative launched last year. We will
introduce an attendance and work management system this fiscal year to monitor employee
work hours in an objective way, improving the work efficiency of attendance management
duties by creating workflows for the various kinds of leave applications and the overtime
report, as well as streamlining salary calculations by linking attendance information to the
payroll system. After the bidding, a contract with a successful bidder will be concluded,
and work to introduce the system will start immediately. After a trial operation by the
Personnel Section, full-scale operation of the system is scheduled to start from July 1,
2020.
4. Facility upgrades
1) Facility upgrades to the Hiroshima Laboratory
The air conditioners of Units C, D, E, H, and I (multiple packaged air conditioning unit
systems and individual air conditioners) have significantly deteriorated. In addition,
maintenance in the event of failure is expected to be difficult, since global warming
prevention led to the end of R22 refrigerant’s production at the end of December 2019.
R22 is widely used for air conditioners. RERF will implement the third year of its threeyear air conditioner renewal plan. The necessary expenses will be about 30 million yen.
2) Facility upgrades to the Nagasaki Laboratory
Double windows will be installed in rooms facing the national highway to reduce noisefrom cars and trams. Double windows have already been installed in the conference roomon the 3rd floor. So windows will be installed in the offices used by the Division of
Medicine, Clinical Contacting Section, Pathology Laboratory, Chief of Epidemiology, andthe Tumor & Tissue Registry Office. The necessary expenses will be approximately fivemillion yen.
5. Revision of the rules and regulations
We are revising current regulations and establishing new regulations to resolve thefindings of the Auditors’ management letter and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu’s internal audit.
Along with continuing to resolve these findings quickly and suitably in FY2020, required
revisions will be made to keep this institution’s management operations appropriate. Doingso will provide regulations befitting of a public interest incorporated foundation funded by
Japanese and U.S. government subsidies.

7