The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Yamaguchi University, is located in Ube City, the city of green and sculpture, in the southwest of Yamaguchi Prefecture, the site of the Meiji Restoration. Started as Yamaguchi Prefectural Medical School in 1944, the school became a medical college and later a national university, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine in 1964. In 2000 The School of Health Sciences, which includes the Division of Nursing and Division of Laboratory Sciences, was established and formed the current Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Infectious diseases, which once raged rampantly, have mainly been conquered by therapeutic agents such as antibiotics and antivirals. Cancer once considered an incurable disease, is no longer necessarily a matter of “death” as the mechanism of carcinogenesis has begun to be elucidated and, coupled with advances in immunology, effective therapeutic drugs and treatments such as CAR-T cell therapy have been developed in addition to surgical procedures and radiation therapy. The worldwide epidemic of novel coronavirus infection has exposed the fragility of the medical system and posed new challenges. The unexpected blowback from infectious diseases that seemed to have already surpassed us has made us keenly aware of the importance of returning to the basics of medicine and health care and strengthening health management, sanitation, medical systems, vaccine development, and basic medicine. Recent developments in molecular biology and genome science have shed light on genetic and intractable diseases, and a path to treatment has begun to emerge. In addition, organ transplantation techniques and systems have been improved, and new regenerative medicine using iPS cells and other technologies has emerged, leading to revolutionary treatment methods. The development of neuroscience has also been remarkable, and the understanding and treatment of mental mechanisms and diseases, which were once considered a black box, are now on the chopping block.

Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine is also constantly taking on new challenges and contributing to the development of medicine and medical treatment, actively engaging in research utilizing the latest technologies, such as AI and big data, and advanced medical fields, such as genomic medicine and regenerative medicine. In particular, we have established the AI System Medical Research and Education Center (AISMEC), pioneering in applying AI to medicine nationwide. Furthermore, from an international perspective, we emphasize collaboration with domestic and international research institutions and industries. In this way, we aim to produce more advanced research results by incorporating cutting-edge technologies and knowledge worldwide. Respecting different cultures and values and promoting diversity and inclusiveness are also essential. The concept of a cooperative graduate school with other universities is being proposed to develop research in an even broader range of fields, such as pharmaceutical sciences. We hope our doctoral students will acquire knowledge and reliable techniques that are not half-hearted during their postgraduate studies. They will obtain reliable data with their own hands, compare and examine past literature, and develop their research with their original viewpoints and logic. Then, they will complete a thesis or product showing their research results’ solidity, impact, and developmental potential. By acquiring such skills and experience, the students can enjoy an enjoyable and fulfilling research life and achieve self-fulfillment.

The Graduate School of Medicine will continue to focus on the three pillars of research, education, and social contribution to develop innovative medicine further and improve health. We will constantly respond to the demands of the times and continue to contribute to the future of medicine by nurturing the next generation of professionals who will provide leadership in medicine and pioneer the future of healthcare.

Tsuyoshi Tanabe, MD, PhD
Director, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine