Govt. Chooses 10 Universities, Labs As Core Vaccine Development Centers
The Japanese government has selected 10 universities and laboratories where it will create world-class research centers for vaccine development.
The science ministry said on Friday that the University of Tokyo is the flagship center of the project, with renowned virologist Kawaoka Yoshihiro serving as its head.
The university will set up a next-generation infectious disease center to conduct vaccine studies for viruses that could trigger pandemics in the future.
Hokkaido, Chiba, Osaka and Nagasaki universities have been designated as synergy centers.
They will collaborate on tasks such as studying the immune system and developing highly effective vaccines.
The government plans to invest roughly 380 million dollars in the project over the next five years.
Japan has lagged behind Western nations in developing coronavirus vaccines. This has prompted the government to decide to create world-class research and development centers.
The Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development will be in charge of the project.
Agency official Noda Hiroe said it will support interdisciplinary studies and hopes that such collaborations will enable swift vaccine development in an emergency.