FY2020 report of activities

Radiation Effects Research Foundation

FY2020 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:• Updated cancer incidence (RPs 1-75, 18-61): Periodic reporting on the radiation risks ofcancer incidence is one of the highest priority effects for RERF. A comprehensive analysis
to update radiation risk estimates for cancer incidence through 2009 has been completed, in
collaborations between with the Depts. of Epidemiology and 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 digestivesystem including stomach colon and rectum, liver were published in 2018 and 2019 while
papers on colorectal cancer (Sugiyama H, et al. Int J Cancer 2020;146:635-645), central
nervous system tumors (Brenner A, et al. Eur J Epidemiol 2020;35:591-600) and cancers of
the prostate (Mabuchi K, et al. Radiat Res 2021;195:66-76), ovary (Utada M, et al. Radiat
Res 2021;195:60-65), and kidney and urinary tract (Grant E, et al. Radiat Res 2021, online
ahead) were published. Papers on comparison of cancer incidence and mortality (Brenner A,
et al.) and summary of those site-specific analyses (Brenner A, et al.) are being drafted. The
series of recent papers focused on the shape of the dose-response curves, low-dose risk andrisks among those young at exposure, while adjusting for relevant life-style factors. For the
reliability of risk estimation, a paper investigating influence of misclassification of liver1cancer information was published by Dr. French of the Dept. of Statistics.
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, e.g., association between
development of secondary sexual characteristics and radiation risk of breast cancer anduterine corpus cancer. The observed non-linearity of dose response relationship for various
outcomes highly concerns the radiation science community, but the reasons are still underinvestigation. Since a majority of the subjects who were exposed at young ages are still alive
and risk estimates for them are uncertain at this stage, further follow-up will provide more
informative characterization of radiation risks.
A preliminary study to determine whether amplifying whole genomes using very small
amounts of DNAs obtained from Wright-stained smears would make it possible to perform
GWAS studies using the Toshiba Japonica SNP arrays. Genome analysis is considered
important from the viewpoint of elucidating and evaluating genetic susceptibility toradiation-induced cancer. RERF holds several kinds of biological samples from the AHS
cohort, including blood smears, which have been preserved since 1958. A potential largescale genome study for all AHS subjects, consisting of approximately 20,000 A-bomb
survivors, using old samples preserved after 1958, may enable us to examine genetic andgene-environmental interaction related to radiation exposure susceptibility. In order to
conduct the genome analysis, it is necessary to determine whether SNP analysis that uses
DNA samples extracted from smear samples is feasible. For initial studies a pool of RERFemployee volunteers, six subjects were randomly selected. DNAs (W-DNAs) were extracted
from whole blood samples. Wright-stained smears were prepared from whole blood samples.
DNAs extracted from Wright-stained smears were amplified using the QIAGEN REPLI-g
DNA amplification kit (amplified-DNAs). W-DNAs and amplified-DNAs were genotyped
using SNP arrays (Toshiba Japonica array). Result demonstrated that the amplified-DNA
obtained from the smears was suitable for SNP analysis, with a high call rate of 97.0% for
the amplified-DNA and a high concordance rate of 93.70% between the W-DNA andamplified-DNA. These results suggest that a whole-genome amplified DNA prepared fromthe stained smears represents a similar copy of the genomic DNA template and there arecomparable call rates when used in high-throughput SNP genotyping assays, making it
possible to use the stained smears for GWAS. (Hayashi, Yoshida K, Ohishi, Yoshida N, Kato,
Sposto, Tokunaga, Ueki, and Ozasa, RP-P1-19). PI: Hayashi.
Two studies are being conducted using stored blood samples of myelodysplastic syndrome
cases in the AHS and autopsy samples of chronic myeloid leukemia cases in the LSS. Thesestudies will be able to provide us with new insight regarding the mechanisms of radiationinduced myeloid malignancies. We are working on the hematological malignancy studies incollaborations involving Clinical Studies, Statistics, and Epidemiology but also with outside
investigators.
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 acquires2

additional gene mutations over time (more than several years) and causes hematologicalmalignancies and that ionizing radiation increases the chance of such gene mutations
occurring. Three years ago, we initiated 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 clinicaldiagnosis of MDS and to explore how it differs by exposed radiation dose. This study willanswer 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. In apreliminary analysis, 8-83 of candidate somatic mutations were detected for each sample.
Clones with gene mutations or copy number alterations (CNAs) were detected and expanded
several years before diagnosis. In some cases, decrease in mutated clones before diagnoses
was also observed.
Leukemia is the only malignancy that developed shortly after the A-bomb, and it is widely
recognized that radiation exposure can induce leukemia. A study of leukemia morphologicalclassification (French-American British classification) among A-bomb survivors in 19501980 revealed that chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) most frequently developed during theperiod. CML is currently diagnosed based on the presence of the fusion gene BCR-ABL1.
We have conducted a preliminary study to assess whether formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded(FFPE) samples of 3 CML autopsy cases are available for molecular analysis. We performed
pathological analysis and extracted DNA and RNA from the unstained slides. Using theextracted DNA and RNA, we evaluated the existence of BCR-ABL1 and ABL1 mutation.
PCR /RT-PCR and pathological analyses indicated that extracted DNA and RNA from FFPE
samples are suitable for traditional molecular analysis, but CML diagnosed using
pathological criteria alone may result in misdiagnosis. A feasibility study for DNA/RNA
analysis on early developing leukemia diagnosed as CML by targeted high-throughput
sequencing is planned.
2) Radiation and Non-Cancer Effects:• Previous studies on A-bomb survivors suggest a relationship between radiation exposure andatherosclerotic diseases and inflammation. Recent evidence in studies involving radiation
exposure suggests that clonal hematopoiesis (CH) can cause chronic inflammation leading
to atherosclerotic diseases. To evaluate the hypothesis that CH caused by irradiation tohematopoietic stem cells is a cause of chronic inflammation and subsequent atherosclerosis
in A-bomb survivors, we are initiating a study that analyzes stored AHS datasets relatinghematological profiles with inflammatory and atherosclerotic indicators. A program project
has recently approved following outside review and data collection has started.
• 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, we conducted research 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. Mouse models to be developed inthis research may be useful for assessing the effects of a variety of environmental factors on
somatic mutagenesis and CH development. Preliminary experiments conducted in FY2020
indicated that, deep whole-exome sequencing (WES) fully detected somatic mutations with3

variant frequency exceeding 2% (a definition of CH in humans) in mouse bone marrow cells,
and that the prevalence of CH was higher in 3-Gy whole-body irradiated mice than controls
when examined 18 months after irradiation. Both pro-inflammatory monocytes and red
blood cell distribution width (RDW) increased in the blood of irradiated mice, which isconsistent with our recent findings in the AHS. Because these blood cell phenotypes areoften observed in human populations exhibiting CH, these results validated the feasibilities
of using WES-based CH detection and determining CH-related blood cell phenotypes forevaluating radiation-induced CH in mice as well as in humans. We have also plannedclonality assessment of monocytes accumulating in atherosclerotic plaques that are formedin LDLR-KO mice irradiated and fed with a high-fat diet, which would be able to test the
hypothesis that CH following radiation exposure promotes atherosclerosis through clonal
accumulation of pro-inflammatory monocytes into atherosclerotic lesions. Publications;
Yoshida et al, British Journal of Haematology (2021), in press.
• Ophthalmologic examinations for our cataract study were initiated in Hiroshima andNagasaki 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 yearsof 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 was started incollaboration with the Statistics Department.
The analysis using a generalized estimating equation (GEE) model suggests a significant
association between posterior subcapsular opacities and radiation. However, the association
between cortical opacities and radiation was not significant.
3) Genetic Effects of Radiation:• In utero cohort study (RPs 2-61, 18-61): The in utero cohort is small but important andunique then prioritized the highest, as there is no other extant study of radiation risk in midto-late life after in utero exposure. A paper on mortality risk was accepted by the European
Journal of Epidemiology (Sugiyama H, et al.). An elevated radiation risk for solid cancer
mortality among females was found, but among males was not. Microcephaly, low birthweight, and loss of father were suggested to be mediators of exposure to atomic bombradiation on noncancer disease death and external causes of death. It is important to consider
the mediating effects of those factors.
• The most important research initiative in the Department of Molecular Biosciences genetics
program and for RERF in general is the whole genome sequencing (WGS) study focusing
on human trios consisting of atomic bomb survivors and their offspring. This is a major partof the institutional-wide F1 umbrella program. In FY2020, statistical calculations regarding
the power estimates of detection of radiation induced SNVs, small InDels, and multi-site
mutations in F1s were conducted in collaboration with Department of Statistics. These werebased on the results from our previous animal experiments and the data published by others.
The statistical results provided the numbers of the trios needed for this project.
• To understand the effects of parental exposure on offspring, it is important to analyze themore complex types of mutations. Until FY2019, we had investigated de novo germline
mutations (mainly base substitution and small size deletions) in the offspring born toirradiated parents. The results were reported as a paper (Satoh et al, 2020). The purpose of
our new study is to uncover the incidence rate of the de novo mutations including complex
structural variants in mouse germline and to establish a methodology for that purpose. For
4

detection of the de novo mutations, we used the following methodologies: short-read NGS(illumina), long-read NGS (Pacbio and Nanopore) and optical mapping methods (Bionano
Saphyr). To characterize de novo spontaneous germline mutations efficiently, by using thesemethods, we analyzed the mutation accumulation (MA) mouse lines, which has been
established by 14 years of breeding (passing more than 40 generations). We obtained
sufficient WGS data both qualitatively and quantitatively in all sequencing platforms andgot several new findings about de novo germline mutations. For instance, it has become
possible to accurately detect mutations on short tandem repeat regions, and we found thatthe spontaneous incidence rate of indels is 40 times higher than previously reported ourestimate (Uchimura et al. 2015). In addition, we identified 11 de novo retrotransposon
mutations (mainly ~7 Kb LINE insertions) and at least 41 large size structural variants
including a very complex mutation consisting of a combination of a segmental duplication(200 kb region) and its partial inversion. This incidence frequency was much higher than theprevious estimates based on the conventional methods. Using state-of-the-art technologies,
we have successfully developed several pipelines to detect various types of mutations. At
the same time, the characteristics of spontaneous mutations in mice have been becoming
clear. Our results are important for the future human trio WGS study. (Uchimura, Satoh, RP2-13). PI; Satoh. Satoh, 2020a, 2020b, and in press.
• To mechanistically understand how radiation exposure induces mutations in spermatogonia
stem cells and how their mutations transmit to the next generation, we have initiated an invitro culture approach to examine mouse spermatogonia cells (hereinafter GS, germline stem
cells). This year in vitro GS cell mutagenesis experiments were conducted for in vivotransplantation studies in next year. The cultured GS cells were X-ray irradiated andsurviving cell colonies were recovered. Structural changes of the genome were analyzed by
aCGH (Macrogen/Agilent standard methods) for each 5 clones of control (unirradiated), 2Gy-irradiated and 4-Gy-irradiated GS cells. For the entire genomic sequencing, short-read
WGS was conducted in control and X-irradiated GS cell clones to detect radiation-induced
SNVs and small InDels and multi-site mutations. aCGH analysis revealed only one deletionin irradiated clones which was supposed to be mediated by NHEJ. In the WGS, 4-Gy
exposed clones showed apparent 2.5 and 4 hold increase of multi-site and deletion mutations,while SNVs and insertions showed only slight increase. Interestingly, while these InDels
detected in the unexposed controls largely derived from repeat sequence, radiationassociated changes were largely occurred in the unique sequence, indicating the role of
NHEJ in the radiation-associated mutagenesis in GS cells. We plan transplantation of these
GS cells into male mice testes 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• The Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission (ABCC) conducted a study of pregnancy outcomesof children of atomic bomb survivors, from 1948 to 1954. We have re-examined the risk ofmajor congenital malformations and perinatal deaths using fully reconstructed data, with theDS02 gonadal dose and refined analytical methods. After long term discussions andrevisions in partnership with Dr. Samet J, a member of our BOC, to respond to concerns byreviewers and contributors, the paper was endorsed by all contributors. Subsequently, thepaper was accepted by the American Journal of Epidemiology.
The analyses show that parental exposure is associated with increased risk for majorcongenital malformations and perinatal deaths, but most are not statistically significant.
Although the reanalysis reinforced the results of the previous reports, the contribution ofother than genetic effects by radiation, such as socioeconomic factor, might be substantial5

(Am J Epidemiol, 2020).
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 are being updated to DS02R1. As residential information is essential for
ascertainment of cancer incidence through the national cancer registry system, theinformation on participants in the F1 Offspring Clinical Study (FOCS) is being collected foruse.
• F1 offspring clinical study (FOCS) [RP4-10, Ohishi W, Tatsukawa Y, and Hida A]

We have almost completed the third round examination of the F1 offspring clinical study(FOCS) that was initiated in November 2014 on a four-year cycle. 9,815 subjects
participated and participation rate during this cycle was 74.9%. The fourth round was started
in November 2018.
3. Research to Elucidate Individual Doses and Effects from the A-bomb• The Current work in this area is primarily related to our involvement in the organ dosimetry
reevaluation project. Over this last year, a series of papers were published or in development.
Papers published or in press
Dosimetric influence of new computational phantoms(Sato, Funamoto, Paulbeck 2020) [RP1859]
Papers in development
Paulbeck CJ, Sato T, Funamoto S, Lee C, Griffin K, Cullings HM, Egbert SD, Endo A, Hertel
N, Bolch WE. Fetal and maternal atomic bomb survivor dosimetry using the J45 series ofpregnant female phantoms. Part 1: Analysis using DS02 exposure scenarios. [Submitted Radiation Environmental Biophysics]. 2020; In Development. [RP18-59] [Dos]
In this paper previous work [Radiat Res 192, 538-561 (2019) was extended using realistic
angular fluences from the DS02 system for up to nine different radiation dose components andfive shielding conditions.
Paulbeck CJ, Sato T, Funamoto S, Lee C, Griffin K, Cullings HM, Egbert SD, Endo A, Hertel
N, Bolch WE. Fetal and maternal atomic bomb survivor dosimetry using the J45 series ofpregnant female phantoms. Part 2: Considerations of variations in fetal uterine position.
[Target Journal - Radiation Environmental Biophysics]. 2020; In Development. [RP18-59][Dos]
In this paper, the work in Part 1 (above) was extended to include additional models of the childboth in a breach and in a transverse orientation at 15-weeks and 25-weeks post-conception.
Griffin KT, Sato T, Funamoto S, Chizhov K, Domal S, Paulbeck C, Bolch W, Cullings H, Egbert
S, Endo A, Hertel N, Lee C. Japanese pediatric and adult atomic bomb survivor dosimetry using
the J45 phantom series: comprehensive source term modelling. [Target Journal -TBD]. 2021;
In Development. [RP18-59] [Dos]
In this paper, in order to evaluate the potential dosimetry improvements that would arise fromthe use of the new phantoms in a Dosimetry System (DS) at RERF, organ doses in the J45 series
6have been calculated using the environmental fluence data for twenty generalized survivor
scenarios pulled directly from the current DS.
Completed and Ongoing work
The Department of Statistics has continued its coordination and collaboration activities in thebinational 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.
As part of this effort, a white paper was developed outlining a plan for adopting the new set ofcomputational models of the human body (phantoms) for use with Dosimetry System DS02,
with discussion of the models currently in use, the advantages of a newer set of phantoms thathave been developed, the method for implementing the new phantoms, the anticipated cost andjustification for the replacement of the current set of phantoms with the newer set, and a
proposed timeline for implementation. [RP18-59]
As part of the preparation for implementation of the revised organ dosimetry, current DS02
FORTRAN code from the obsolete Lahey FORTRAN compiler were converted to the modern
Intel FORTRAN compiler. This code is used to integrate the response function tables generated
from the computational phantom models with the source terms and leakage files generated fromthe transport model and shielding models, which apply to the individual survival data on
location, shielding, and orientation. This conversion is necessary because a much larger volumeof data from the computational model is required to implement the new dosimetry, and thiscannot easily be accommodated by the Lahey compiler without significant structural changes
to the established FORTRAN code. The conversion of existing code to Intel FORTRAN
requires fewer code changes, which primarily consist of revising native function calls. The coderevision and testing will be completed in early 2021. An additional module will be required toapply the response function tables, but this should also be completed during 2021.
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 workshop and 5 seminars were held at RERF presented bynational and international researchers by Zoom, and published about 40 scientific papers.
1) 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
7e. Collaborations with Outside Investigators:
44 Japanese Institutions
9 North American Institutions
8 European Institutions
1 Asian, Oceanian Institution
2) Workshop
International Workshop: ELSI workshop toward RERF future genome studies on atomic
bomb survivors and their children
5. Training Programs for Domestic and Overseas Specialists
1) From the perspective of preventing the spread of COVID-19, the “EpidemiologicalTraining Course for Radiation Biologists,” scheduled to be held in August 2020, wascanceled.
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 people’s entering RERF premises
with a view toward preventing COVID-19 in FY2020, RERF could not fulfill an outside
request for training. Instead, educational materials, such as an RERF introductory video
and pamphlets were provided.
3) RERF cooperated in an International Symposium sponsored by HICARE (February 11,2021) and sent lecturers. The symposium was held online attracting 206 participants.
4) RERF reviewed matters including an approach of publicly inviting overseas trainees in theInternational Exchange Research Program, and posted a public invitation and the guidelines
for application on the RERF website. One person applied in FY2020, but because it was
not possible to predict the state of COVID-19, at the time of actual training, a decision wasreached in June 2020 to cancel the applicant’s training.
6. Public Information Programsi)

RERF Open House events
RERF canceled its Open House event in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, due to thecoronavirus pandemic. That rare situation this fiscal year led RERF to think of new ways
to hold the event going forward.

ii) Strengthening of social media-related activities
By the end of FY2020, RERF’s Facebook page had 851 followers. RERF’s English andJapanese Twitter accounts together had surpassed 500 followers in total by the end of
FY2020. During FY2020, RERF paid particular attention to the creation of videos for
active posting on the website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel as part of our social
media work. The videos included an introduction to RERF for a workshop held by ICAN
(International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons), a video of a tour of RERF, and aseries of video remarks by directors and scientists on the 75th year after the atomic
bombings, and so on.

8iii) Promotion of public relations activities targeting media
RERF planned gatherings and study sessions with the media in FY2020 to improve andstrengthen relations, given that job transfers in that work are regular occurrences, resulting
in a high degree of turnover in reporters that cover RERF as part of their beat, but suchinteractions were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. As a result of RERF’s active
efforts to propose story ideas to the media, local media concerns produced and aired several
special and other broadcast programs about ABCC/RERF. In addition, based on RERF’s
continued efforts to fully engage with the media, the number of published articles covering
RERF in FY2020 totaled 124 through the end of the fiscal year on March 31.
iv) Enhancement of RERF website• During FY2020, the new homepage was regularly updated with revised information andthe section on published scientific papers reorganized for easier navigation and greater
understanding of our system of paper categorization.
• Starting in FY2018, when papers are published in scientific journals, new easy-to-follow
synopses were posted on the public website. That effort was further refined in FY2020,
with the synopses being further simplified.
• The total number of RERF website hits, or page views, between April 1, 2020, andMarch 31, 2021 was 606,324, with the daily average being 1,661. The total number of
website visitors for the same period was 252,934, with the daily average 692.**These numbers are the result of a new system of assessment called Google Analytics,
the use of which was initiated in June 2018.
v) Enhancement of online news-delivery system
RERF’s email magazine system, distributed to subscribers, was enhanced during FY2020
by reducing complicated information and sometimes simply providing links to recently
published news and information on our website. The email magazine idea was used to not
only distribute the latest research results and information about RERF events and activities
but also with the aim of attracting readers to RERF as “members,” by offering a sense of“buy-in” with respect to RERF as an organization. The total number of subscribers to ouremail magazine by the end of March was 364 people.
vi) 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 inFY2020 but had to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
vii) Internship (work experience) project
RERF has been accepting interns, mostly those with scientific backgrounds, for some time,and in early FY2020 a college student from the United States applied to RERF for aninternship. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the plan was put on hold.
viii) RERF public lecture series
RERF’s new public lecture series, initiated in 2019, targeted peace volunteer guides among
other such individuals, in partnership with external organizations such as the Hiroshima
Peace Memorial Museum. In FY2020, this program was limited because of the pandemic,
but RERF did hold two events outside of RERF at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
for groups of students who had come to Hiroshima on peace-study trips.

9ix) Science Club
RERF had plans to provide a venue for science students at junior-high and senior-highschools to learn about RERF’s science. However, out of concern for public health during
the coronavirus pandemic, RERF canceled this plan.
x) Other public relations activities• As part of its public relations activities through the media, RERF held press conferencesat the time of important functions and newsworthy events, as well as when topical papers
were published, mostly through online teleconferencing apps. RERF also responded toinquiries and requests for interviews from numerous domestic and overseas media
organizations.
• With the aim of improving public understanding of our research, RERF initiated in
FY2018 a new series of paper synopses that explain research with simpler prose andsmaller word counts than used previously in our “summary explanation” series for
specialists. In FY2020, the synopses were further refined, achieving improved
understanding by the public and media of RERF’s work.
• RERF had no visitors for RERF facility tours, due to its desire to protect the aging Abomb survivor participants in RERF studies from COVID-19, and thus had noopportunity to train personnel to handle facility tours in English in preparation for
visitors from overseas.
• By enhancing our efforts at communicating RERF’s research with the aim of increasingtransparency related to RERF research and establishment of good communication withthe public, in particular A-bomb survivors and their children, the Public-AwarenessCampaign (PAC) working group was formed in January 2019. In FY2020, several of
the PAC members led RERF’s efforts to respond to email inquiries, as well as media
requests for interviews about genomic testing and other plans at RERF and in reports
about ABCC/RERF.
• RERF was not able 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.

10（Attachment 1）

FY2020 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

2 people (Hiroshima)
6 people Visitors related to HICARE
3 people Visitors related to RERF
(International Exchange
Research Program)
1 person Visitors related to MEXT
None Visitors related to JICA

None
None

None
None

14 people(Nagasaki)
Visitors related to NASHIM
Total: 26 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 (2 people)
RERF (hereinafter, all titles represent those at time of participation)
Kazunori Kodama, Executive Director, and Misa Imaizumi, Assistant Department Chief,
Department of Clinical Studies, Nagasaki, attended The 16th WHO Radiation Emergency
Medical Preparedness and Assistance Network (REMPAN). (March 22-24, 2021, Online)
2. United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR)-related collaborative activity (6 people)
1) National Institute of Radiological Sciences
Kotaro Ozasa, Department Chief of Epidemiology, attended the UNSCEAR domestic
committee meetings. (October 12 and December 22, 2020, Online)
2) RERF(1) Alina Brenner, Senior Scientist, Department of Epidemiology, attended meetings as alead writer for UNSCEAR Epidemiological studies of Radiation and Cancer. (May 18,
June 4, July 23, 2020 and January 20, March 18 and March 31, 2021, Online)(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.
(July 2 and October 28, 2020, Online)(3) Kotaro Ozasa, Department Chief of Epidemiology, attended the 67th UNSCEAR

11

meetings. (November 2-6, 2020, Online)(4) Kotaro Ozasa, Department Chief of Epidemiology, attended meetings as a member ofthe Ad Hoc Working Group on Effects and Mechanisms. (December 14, 2020, January
25, February 25, and March 23, 2021, Online)
3. ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection)-related activity (3 people)(1) 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). (July 28, 2020 and March 22, 2021, Online)(2) Kotaro Ozasa Department Chief of Epidemiology, attended meetings as a member of
the ICRP Task Group 91 (Dose and Dose Rate Effectiveness Factor). (July 29, 2020,
Online)(3) Kotaro Ozasa, Department Chief of Epidemiology, attended annual conferences as amember of ICRP Committee 1. (August 31- September 2, 2020, Online)
4. IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)-related activity (1 person)
HICARE (Hiroshima International Council for Health Care of the Radiation-exposed)
collaborative activities
Kanya Hamasaki, Research Scientist, Department of Molecular Biosciences attended andmade an oral presentation at IAEA Third Research Coordination Meeting (RCM) of theCoordinated Research Project (CRP) E35010 “Applications of Biological Dosimetry
Methods in Radiation Oncology, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic and Interventional
Radiology (MEDBIODOSE)” (February 12, 2021, Vienna, Austria, Online).
5. Medical checkup for A-bomb survivors residing in South Korea-related activity (0 person)
This activity was not done in FY2020.
6. Others (14 people)(1) Eric Grant, Associate Chief of Research, attended the “Scientific Committee 1-27” of
the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP). (April 1-2,
2020, Online)(2) Robert Ullrich, Vice Chairman, and Eric Grant, Associate Chief of Research, attended
the Radiation Research Society Virtual Meetings. (October 18-21, 2020, USA, Online)(3) Robert Ullrich, Vice Chairman, Osamu Tanabe, Chief Scientist/Director of Biosample
Research Center, Alina Brenner and Hiromi Sugiyama, Senior Scientists, Departmentof Epidemiology gave seminars at the Gilbert W. Beebe Webinar Series“Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombings—Studies on
Radiation Health Effects at the Radiation Effects Research Foundation”. (November
11, 2020, USA, Online)(4) Kotaro Ozasa, Department Chief of Epidemiology, attended the conference of 15th
International Congress of the International Radiation Protection Association. (January
18-27, 2021, Online)(5) Ohtsura Niwa, Chairman, and Kazunori Kodama, Executive Director, attended the
HICARE International Symposium, “75 years since the atomic bombings, 30 years
since the establishment of HICARE and 10 years since Fukushima Daiichi nuclear
power plant accident,” as a chair of the keynote speech and a chair/panelist,
respectively. (February 11, 2021, Online).
(6) Ohtsura Niwa, Chairman, Kazunori Kodama, Executive Director, and Eric Grant,
Associate Chief of Research, attended the 2021 Fukushima Medical University
International Symposium on the Fukushima Health Management Survey (February1213-14, 2021, 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 FY2020.

13

（Attachment 2）

FY2020
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,
serves as a responsible person of the RERF side, he is working on analysis of solidcancer incidence risks in the LSS cohort, site-specific cancer studies based on
histopathological diagnoses, and preliminary reviews for genomic analysis of thyroid
cancer.
The following papers have been published (RERF authors underlined):
Brenner AV, Sugiyama H, Preston DL, Sakata R, French B, Sadakane A, Cahoon EK,
Utada M, Mabuchi K, Ozasa K. Radiation risk of central nervous system tumors in theLife Span Study of atomic bomb survivors, 1958-2009. Eur J Epidemiol 2020;35(6):591-600
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 cancer: 1958-2009. Radiat Res 2020 (Epub); 195:1-9
Mabuchi K, Preston DL, Brenner AV, Sugiyama H, Utada M, Sakata R, Sadakane A,
Grant EJ, French B, Cahoon EK, Ozasa K. Risk of prostate cancer incidence among
atomic bomb survivors: 1958-2009. Radiat Res 2021; 195(1):66-76
Sugiyama H, Misumi M, Brenner AV, Grant EJ, Sakata R, Sadakane A, Utada M,
Preston DL, Mabuchi K and Ozasa K, “Radiation risk of incident colorectal cancer by
anatomical site among atomic bomb survivors: 1958–2009”, Int J Cancer 2020;
146(3):635-45
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(2) Ritsu Sakata, Assistant Chief, and Alina Brenner, Senior Scientist, Department of
Epidemiology, are joining with the data of tumor of the central nervous system fromRERF as a part of the pooled analysis conducted by the scientists of Radiation
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 by
Dr. Anthony Swerdlow of Institute of Cancer Research, UK, and Dr. Hazel Nichols of US
National Institute of Environmental.

14

The following paper has been published (RERF authors underlined):
Schoemaker MJ, Nichols HB, Wright LB, Brook MN, Jones ME, O'Brien KM, Adami HO,
Baglietto L, Bernstein L, Bertrand KA, Boutron-Ruault MC, Chen Y, Connor AE, Dossus
L, Eliassen AH, Giles GG, Gram IT, Hankinson SE, Kaaks R, Key TJ, Kirsh VA, Kitahara
CM, Larsson SC, Linet M, Ma H, Milne RL, Ozasa K, Palmer JR, Riboli E, Rohan TE,
Sacerdote C, Sadakane A, Sund M, Tamimi RM, Trichopoulou A, Ursin G, Visvanathan K,
Weiderpass E, Willett WC, Wolk A, Zeleniuch-Jacquotte A, Sandler DP, Swerdlow AJ.
Adult weight change and premenopausal breast cancer risk: A prospective pooled analysisof data from 628,463 women. Int J Cancer. 2020; 147(5):1306-14
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 serves as coordinator. Under this contract, RERF supports the training
and education of MS and PhD students in epidemiology and biostatistics, and conducts
collaborative research with students and their advisors. Research projects focus on analysesof cancer incidence and mortality outcomes in the LSS, as well as the development of new
statistical methods for analyzing LSS cohort data.
The following paper has been published (RERF authors underlined):
Bockwoldt B, Sugiyama H, Tsai K, Bhatti P, Brenner AV, Hu A, Kerr K, Morenz E, French
B, Phipps A. Gastrointestinal cancer survival and radiation exposure among atomic bomb
survivors: The Life Span Study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020 (Epub):1-19

5.

RERF international collaborative studies on statistical analyses(1) Munechika Misumi, Assistant Department Chief of Statistics, collaborated with theinvestigators at Helmholtz München resulted in the following publication (RERF
authors underlined):
Kaiser JC, Misumi M, Furukawa K. Biologically-based modeling of radiation risk andbiomarker prevalence for papillary thyroid cancer in Japanese a-bomb survivors 1958
- 2005. Int J Radiat Biol. 2020; 1-12.
(2) John Cologne, Senior Scientist, and Harry Cullings, Consultant, Department of
Statistics collaborated with Dr. Yong-Min Kim of Kyungpook National University inSouth Korea resulted in the following publication (RERF authors underlined):
Kim YM, Cologne JB, Jang E, Lange T, Tatsukawa Y, Ohishi W, Utada M, Cullings
HM. Causal mediation analysis in nested case-control studies using conditional logistic
regression. Biometrical J. 2020; 1-21.

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 resulted in the following publication:
Sato T, Funamoto S, Paulbeck C, Griffin K, Lee C, Cullings HM, Egbert SD, Endo A, Hertel
N, Bolch WE. Dosimetric impact of a new computational voxel phantom series for theJapanese atomic bomb survivors: Methodological improvements and organ dose response
functions. Radiat Res. 2020; 194(1-13).

7. RERF international 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).

15

8. RERF Other“International workshop: ELSI workshop toward RERF future genome studies on atomic
bomb survivors and their children” was held in December 10 and 11, 2020 by online
conference. We invited 6 domestic and 3 American experts of genome study ELSI. Total
participants were 78.

16令和2年度 外部資金研究一覧表
FY2020 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 organizations)¥1,450,000

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)

10¥13,845,000

一般社団法人 日本血液学会
Japanese Society of Hematology

1¥300,000

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

15

外部機関名称
Name of Outside Organization

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

17Grand 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.

¥0 *¥16,595,000令和2年度 外部資金研究一覧表
FY2020 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2年度
令和2年度
開始日
終了日
関連RP
First project
Last project
Related RPs
date in FY2020 date in FY2020

関連性
Relationship to
RERF's mission

疫学部
Department of Epidemiology

181

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

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
and Information Services, National Cancer Center2

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 basedon active utilization of domestic and international
research consortia and proposal of cancer
prevention guidelines

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

研究協力者(Cooperative Investigator)
歌田 真依
Mai Utada¥650,000

June 1, 2020

March 31, 2021

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, 2020

March 31, 2021

RP-A2-15

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

令和2年度 外部資金研究一覧表
FY2020 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2年度
令和2年度
開始日
終了日
関連RP
First project Last project date Related RPs
date in FY2020
in FY2020

関連性
Relationship to
RERF's mission

臨床研究部
Department of Clinical Studies
1

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」

研究分担者 (Collaborator)
山田 美智子Michiko Yamada¥800,000

April 1, 2020

March 31, 2021

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)¥1,800,000

April 1, 2020

March 31, 2021

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, 2020

March 31, 2021

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)

December 1, 2020 March 31, 2021

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)

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) 研究協力者
Comprehensive Research on Life-Style Related Diseases (Cooperative Investigator)
including Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes Mellitus
立川 佳美
Yoshitaka Murakami
Yoshimi Tatsukawa
Professor,
Graduate School of Medicine, Toho University

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

3

被爆後早期に発症した白血病症例でのゲノム異常
スクリーニング
Screening of genomic alterations in leukemia shortly
development after A-bomb radiation

一般社団法人 日本血液学会研究助成
研究代表者 吉田 稚明
Research Grant for Japanese Society of Hematology
Noriaki Yoshida

研究代表者 (P.I.)
吉田 稚明
Noriaki Yoshida¥300,000

4

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¥1,000,000

2

19

間接経費
(Indirect cost)¥540,000令和2年度 外部資金研究一覧表
FY2020 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2年度
令和2年度
開始日
終了日
関連RP
First project Last project date Related RPs
date in FY2020
in FY2020

関連性
Relationship to
RERF's mission

統計部
Department of Statistics
1 測定誤差を考慮した低線量被曝影響の統計的評価

Project to investigate effects of measurement errors in
low dose range

2 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

直接経費(Direct cost)¥020

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 三角 宗近
JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research
Early-Career Scientists
Munechika Misumi

研究代表者 (P.I.)
三角 宗近
Munechika Misumi

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)¥2,600,000

研究分担者 (Collaborator)
坂田 律
Ritsu Sakata

間接経費(Indirect cost)¥780,000

間接経費(Indirect cost)¥0

April 1, 2020

March 31, 2021

RP 1-75
RP 18-59

補助事業期間延長により、令和元年度の未執行額（87,777円）を使用。
令和2年度に新たな助成金の交付はなし。
With extension of the funded term, theunexecuted amount for FY2019 (87,777yen)
was used No grant was provided for FY2020
April 1, 2020

March 31, 2021

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 thecollaborator at Hiroshima University

RP 1-75

LSS、遮蔽調査、線量調査
LSS, Shielding survey anddosimetry study

LSS
LSS

令和2年度 外部資金研究一覧表
FY2020 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2年度
令和2年度
開始日
終了日
関連RP
First project Last project date Related RPs
date in FY2020
in FY2020

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

2 胚発生期の自然発生変異に注目した高解像度な細胞系譜の解析
High resolution analysis of cell lineage by using postzygotic spontaneous mutations

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
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 内村 有邦
JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research
Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
Arikuni Uchimura

研究代表者 (P.I.)
野田 朝男
Asao Noda
研究分担者 (Collaborator)
濱﨑 幹也
Kanya Hamasaki
研究代表者 (P.I.)
内村 有邦
Arikuni Uchimura

直接経費(Direct cost)¥1,300,000

April 1, 2020

March 31, 2021

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

April 1, 2020

March 31, 2021

RP 2-13

放射線被曝の遺伝的影響
Genetic effects ofradiation exposure

No RP

放射線被曝の遺伝的影響
Genetic effects ofradiation exposure

間接経費(Indirect cost)¥390,000
直接経費(Direct cost)¥0
間接経費(Indirect cost)¥021

大阪大学の招へい教員の立場で研究代表者として研究全体に従事。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大阪大学が行う。
Engage whole work as PI and perform in Osaka University,and all management of this funds and submission of reports,
etc are done by Osaka University
補助事業期間延長により、令和元年度の未執行額（200万円） を使用。令和2年度に新たな助成金の交付はなし。
With extension of the funded term, the unexecutedamount for FY2019 (2,000,000yen) was used No grant wasprovided for FY2020

3 微量変異原評価を可能とする全ゲノム解読に基づく
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

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

研究協力者(Cooperative Investigator)
内村 有邦
Arikuni Uchimura

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, 2020

March 31, 2021

令和2年度 外部資金研究一覧表
FY2020 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2年度
令和2年度
開始日
終了日
関連RP
First project Last project date Related RPs
date in FY2020
in FY2020

関連性
Relationship to
RERF's mission

分子生物科学部
Department of Molecular Biosciences
4 放射線発癌と体細胞変異に対する抗酸化ストレス転写
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

5 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

直接経費
(Direct cost)¥2,100,000

22

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

研究代表者 (P.I.)
田邉 修
Osamu Tanabe
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)¥630,000

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)¥1,690,000

April 1, 2020

March 31, 2021

RP-P3-19

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 prevent
it

April 1, 2020

March 31, 2021

No RP

なし
None

間接経費
(Indirect cost)¥0
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令和2年度 外部資金研究一覧表
FY2020 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2年度
令和2年度
開始日
終了日
関連RP
First project
Last project
Related RPs
date in FY2020 date in FY2020

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

23

2 情報空間による都市空間強化のためのワイヤレス神
経網の実証的研究
Practical Study on Wireless Neural Network forStrengthening Urban Space by Informatic Space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

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 猿渡 俊介
大阪大学 准教授
JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research
Scientific Research (B)Shunsuke Saruwatari
Associate Professor, Osaka University

研究代表者 (P.I.)
小野 悟
Satoru Ono

直接経費(Direct cost)¥1,500,000

April 1, 2020

March 31, 2021

No RP

間接経費
(Indirect cost)¥450,000

研究分担者(Collaborator)
小野 悟
Satoru Ono

直接経費(Direct cost)¥50,000
間接経費(Indirect cost)¥15,000

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

April 1, 2020

March 31, 2021

No RP

広域に展開する複数の研究拠
点間で効果的な大容量データの共有を可能とするコンテンツ
マネジメントシステムの構築に係る汎用的な知見の取得。
Versatile knowledge will be
gained that is related toconstructing a contentmanagement system able toeffectively share voluminous
data between multiple research
centers that span a large area

24

令和2年度 特別会計一覧表
FY2020 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¥24,566,597

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

1¥6,853,083

広島県
Hiroshima Prefecture

1¥13,731,928

長崎県
Nagasaki Prefecture

1¥8,713,000

総合計

5¥53,864,608

資金拠出機関名称
Name of Funding Agency

25
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.

令和2年度 特別会計一覧表
FY2020 Special Funds
研究のタイトル
Title of Research

放影研における契約者/
研究者の名前Investigator(s) at RERF

資金拠出機関からの入金額
Amount of Funds
from Funding
Agencies

開始日
Initiation
Date

終了日
Termination
Date

関連RP
Related RPs
RP 6-15
RP 2-20

関連性
Relationship to
RERF's mission

厚生労働省・労災疾病臨床研究事業費補助金
研究代表者 大久保 利晃
独立行政法人労働者健康安全機構 労働安
全衛生総合研究所 労働者放射線障害防止
研究センター センター長

研究分担者(Collaborative Investigators)
大石 和佳
Waka Ohishi¥22,692,597

April 1,
2020

March 31,2021

厚生労働省・委託事業
丹羽 太貫
MHLW Entrustment
Ohtsura Niwa

受託者(Contractor)
丹羽 太貫
Ohtsura Niwa

¥1,874,000

December 15,
2020

March 31,2021

米国国立がん研究所（NCI）契約
米国メリーランド州ベセスダ、
米国国立がん研究所
NCI契約 75N91019P00167
主任研究者 小笹 晃太郎
U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) Contract
National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland,
USA
NCI Contract 75N91019P00167
Kotaro Ozasa

主任研究者(Program Director)
小笹 晃太郎Kotaro Ozasa
研究管理者(Project Managers)
エリック グラント
Eric J. Grant
リチャード スポスト
Richard Sposto

直接経費(Direct cost)¥4,568,723

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

がんの疫学研究、
LSS、胎内被爆者、
F1集団
Epidemiological study of cancer,
LSS, in utero , andF1 populations

がん登録推進事業
Cancer Registry Promotional Project

広島県・委託事業
丹羽 太貫Hiroshima Prefecture
Ohtsura Niwa

受託者(Contractor)
丹羽 太貫
Ohtsura Niwa

¥13,731,928

April 1,
2020

March 31,2021

RP18-61
RP29-60
RPs18-61&
29-60附属書

がんの疫学研究、
LSS、胎内被爆者、
F1集団
Epidemiological study of cancer,
LSS, in utero, andF1 populations

長崎県がん登録・評価事業
Nagasaki Prefecture Cancer Registry Program

長崎県・委託事業
丹羽 太貫Nagasaki Prefecture
Ohtsura Niwa

受託者(Contractor)
丹羽 太貫
Ohtsura Niwa

¥8,713,000

April 1,
2020

March 31,2021

RP18-61
RP29-60
RPs18-61&
29-60附属書

がんの疫学研究、
LSS、胎内被爆者、
F1集団
Epidemiological study of cancer,
LSS, in utero, andF1 populations

放射線業務従事者の健康影響に関する疫学
研究
Epidemiological Study on Health Effects among
Radiation Workers

Research Grant for Clinical Studies of Work-RelatedIllness (MHLW)
Toshiteru Okubo
Director, Research Center for Prevention from
Radiation Hazards of Workers, National Institute of
Iccupational Safety and Health, Japan Organization of
Occupational Health and Safety

1

26

原爆被爆者の生物試料の保管及び活用に関する研究事業Research Program on preservation and use of the2
A-bomb survivors' biosamples
原爆被爆者のがん罹患データの更新
Updated cancer incidence data in the atomicbomb survivors.
3

45

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 outsideorganization/Chief of research group or principal
investigator in charge

間接経費(Indirect cost)¥2,284,360

東電福島第一原発事故処理緊急作業従事者の長期疫学調査
Long term follow-up
epidemiological study on
emergency workers of TEPCO,
Fukushima 1F Nuclear Power
Plant accident.

原爆被爆者の生物試料の保管
及び活用
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:
1. Protect, index, and integrate RERF's research assets. These include data, biosample
inventories, paper records, artifacts, manuscripts, datasets and programming scripts,
as well as other historically important articles. Access to research data will be madethrough a web portal with clear accessibility rules that protect the privacy of our
subjects.
2. Enhance RERF’s ability to perform research by integrating all data and biosample
inventories. Tools for data visualization, data assembly, and analysis will simplify
and standardize access, and facilitate research.
3. Provide an administrative framework to use and share RERF resources and facilitatecontracts and grants via a new office (Office of Collaborative Research).
Activities over the past year include the hiring of a new chief of ITD (and two newprogrammers), a MEXT grant application in collaboration with RIRBM, meetings of the“Subcommittee for Drafting Guidelines of the Establishment of the RRC”, significant
progress by the Inventory and Digitization subcommittees, and bi-weekly Technical Team
meetings by Dr. Grant and key personnel from ITD. Another important activity was thecompletion of a pilot project to scope the effort involved to scan all of the medical records
housed in the Clinical Studies department in Hiroshima. The pilot project estimated that there
were 10,000,000 sheets of paper contained in the medical charts. The vendors concluded that
digitizing all of the materials in the medical charts would cost roughly $5M dollars. A 25member team could complete the job in 3 years. A pilot project using the Gen3 Data Commons
software platform developed by the University of Chicago and presented to RERF by Dr.
Robert Grossman was initiated. An intern from the University of Texas Medical Center was
recruited and scheduled to travel to Chicago for training and then to Hiroshima to spend thesummer working on site. Unfortunately, the COVID pandemic blocked his trip. The intern
worked remotely on the project until January 2021 and a decision needs to be made whether tocontinue the pilot project.
2. Review on the relocation of the Hiroshima Laboratory
Up to now, we have considered the proposal for RERF Hiroshima Laboratory’s relocation to
the Hiroshima Comprehensive Health Center. Nevertheless, Hiroshima University’s Kasumi
Campus was newly added as a candidate relocation site. Therefore, we will consider two
candidate relocation sites in the future.
3. Introduction of an attendance and work management system
Following the enforcement of the work-style reform law enacted in June 2018, RERF began
procedures to procure an attendance and work management system with the primary goal ofmonitoring employee work hours objectively. Based on a previous unsuccessful
comprehensive evaluation bidding, the specifications were narrowed down to a necessary

27minimum. Team Spirit Inc won the tender as a result of an open tendering held in February
2021. Therefore, a contract was signed with them to introduce the attendance and work
management system.
4. Facility upgrades(1) Facility upgrades to the Hiroshima Laboratory
The air conditioners that had been markedly deteriorated and had failed repeatedly were
replaced. Since the production of R22 refrigerant ended in December 2019, it was expectedthat maintenance would become difficult in the event of failure, making it necessary toreplace the air conditioners as soon as possible. In FY2020, the air conditioners were replacedin Units C, D, E, H, and I (construction cost: 17,490,000 yen), completing the three-year
project to replace the air conditioners in the Hiroshima Laboratory.
In addition, the access control system in the Departments of Clinical Studies, Epidemiology,
and Information Technology, and the RI facility to protect personal information had been inplace for 14 years, and the IC card reader terminals were no longer eligible for maintenance,
so the system was upgraded (construction cost: 8,369,000yen).
The above two projects were funded by FY2020 subsidy for the maintenance of health andhygiene facilities from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (39,807,000 yen).
(2) Facility upgrades to the Nagasaki Laboratory
As a measure to prevent incidents and accidents among the aging study participants and toensure the safety of wheelchair users, tiles were replaced on the entrance slope, additional
handrails were installed in the walkways at the Nursing Section, and the two entrance doors
at the Nursing Section and one entrance door at the Division of Radiology were changed
from single swing doors to sliding doors (construction cost: 1,768,000 yen).
In addition, the access control system for the Department of Epidemiology and server room,
which was installed at the same time as the Hiroshima Laboratory, was upgraded(construction cost: 3,850,000 yen).
5. Revision of the rules and regulations
The following regulations were revised to enhance this public interest incorporated
foundation’s operational framework: Work-Related Ethics Regulations for Employees [Effective date: April 1, 2020]
Provisions were added to have the ethics supervisor review the justification for the amountsof remuneration paid by the interested parties.
 Supplementary Regulations Concerning Application of Accounting Regulations [Effective
date: April 1, 2020]
A revision was made to the amount of office expenses that can be handled as petty cash;
and provisions for purchases of goods over the internet were added.
 Guidelines for Purchase of Goods [Effective date: April 1, 2020]
Regarding the determination of target tender prices, revisions were made in a manner to beconsistent with and reflect laws and regulations and the actual situations.
 Regulations Regarding Management of Conflict of Interest [Effective date: April 1, 2020]

28

These regulations were revised to require that economic interests and the likes obtained
from outside corporations and other entities be reported and reviewed for all research
activities, not only for research that requires reporting of conflicts of interest.
 Regulations Concerning Prevention of and Response to Improper Use of Research Funds[Effective date: April 1, 2020]
Regulations Concerning Prevention of and Response to Research Misconduct [Effective
date: April 1, 2020]
To comply with the national guidelines, independent regulations respectively were
established for "misuse of research funds" and "misconduct related to research activities." Detailed Regulations on Handling of Personal Information [Effective date: June 1, 2020]
Detailed provisions on the safety management of information systems and the proper
management and handling of personal information stored at RERF were stipulated.
 Administrative Procedures for the Travel Expenses of Research Study Participants[Effective date: July 1, 2020]
The criteria for the payment of transportation expenses for research study participants whotake a taxi to visit the Foundation were clarified. In addition, special measures for theprevention of new coronavirus infection were stipulated.
 Regulations Concerning Handling of Donations [Effective date: Oct. 20, 2020]
As a result of our investigation to be re-certified as a tax-deductible corporation, we foundthat our financial situation and past donations did not meet the requirements for such a
corporation. Therefore, provisions regarding preferential tax treatment have been deleted
from these regulations.
 Guidelines for Animal Experiments, Regulations for Experimental Animal Care
Committee and Procedures for the Care, and Maintenance of Experimental Animals[Effective date: January 22, 2021]
The Experimental Animal Care Committee conducted a comprehensive review of theguidelines, regulations, and procedures on the occasion of the establishment ofExperimental Animal Care Room in 2019.
 Guidelines Concerning Administrative Procedures for Remuneration for Councilors,
Auditors and Scientific Advisors [Effective date: February 8, 2021]
The procedures for payment of remuneration to Councilors, Auditors, and Scientific
Advisors were clarified and the provisions to deal with special situations were added.
 Guidelines for Use of Corporate Card [Effective date: March 1, 2021]
These guidelines were revised to make the use of the corporate card (a credit card for which
RERF as a juristic person contracts) more efficient and exact.

29

Appended documents to FY2020 report of activities

There were no items considered to be important matters for supplementing thecontents of the FY2020 report of activities.

30