Outline

The Japan Cancer Society

JCS was established on August 1, 1958, to aid the struggle to bring cancer under control. The aim was to minimise cancer deaths through the adoption of healthier diets and lifestyles, and by early detection and treatment.

The project took off at the 1957 general meeting of the Japan Cancer Association on the initiative of Dr. Hiroshige Shiota, then president of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research. With backing from the Japan Medical Association, the Ministry of Health and Welfare and medical, political and business circles, it began as a program to commemorate the 80^th anniversary of The Asahi Shimbun, a leading Japanese newspaper. Today, The Asahi Shimbun still provides strong support to JCS projects.

Board of Directors (as of August, 2008)

President:          Tadao Kakizoe, M.D.

(President Emiritus, National Cancer Center)

Vice-President: Tetsuichiro Muto, M.D. (Medical Director, Cancer Institute Hospital)

Chairman:          Shin-ichi Hakoshima

(Special Advisor, The Asahi Shimbun Co.)

Managing Directors:

Shigeo Arata (JCS full-time director)

Yoshihito Karasawa, M.D. (President, Japan Medical Association)

Takeo Sekihara (Auditor, Nihon Plast Co., representing cancer patients)

Fumimaro Takaku, M.D. (President, Jichi Medical School)

Shozo Takayama, M.D.

(Visiting Professor, School of Medicine,

Showa University)

Kenji Matsuo
(President, Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co.)

In addition, directors include prominent members of the business world, the media and medical circles.