RERF and Hiroshima University announce agreement on RERF’s relocation to Kasumi Campus
Feb. 3, 2023
by Kana Kobayashi, Staff Writer
On February 2, the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF), a scientific organization jointly managed by the governments of Japan and the United States and located in Hiroshima’s Minami Ward, joined with Hiroshima University, in Higashihiroshima City, to announce that the two sides had officially come to an agreement on RERF’s relocation to Hiroshima University’s Kasumi Campus, in the city’s Minami Ward. Reporting that the U.S. side is in agreement with the proposal, RERF says it will ask for their financial support for the relocation.
The announcement was made by Ohtsura Niwa, chairman of RERF, and Mitsuo Ochi, president of Hiroshima University, during an online press conference on the same day. According to the two sides, RERF submitted a written request to Hiroshima University for the relocation on January 18, receiving Hiroshima University’s approval of the request on January 26. The U.S. side was reported to be strongly in favor of the move.
Mr. Niwa emphasized, “We finally have arrived at a solution. An extensive partnership can be formed on the basis of this agreement, including access to equipment and facilities as well as involvement in education.” Mr. Ochi said, “Some data are unique to RERF. The ideal would be to conduct joint research that ultimately leads to treatments.”
The plan calls for removal of a joint industry-academia-government research facility presently located on the Kasumi Campus. RERF and Hiroshima University are planning to build a new 10-story facility measuring around 7,700 square meters in total area on that site. Hiroshima University will have access to use of the first floor. Design of the building and start of construction are scheduled for fiscal 2023, with the opening at the new location scheduled for fiscal 2025.
The total project cost will be based on an estimate of approximately 6.1 billion yen made by RERF when it considered relocating to Hiroshima City’s General Health Center, located in Naka Ward. RERF is expected to apply for a grant in fiscal 2023 from the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW). MHLW has had difficulty negotiating with the U.S. side over the share of the cost to be borne by the two governments. The Japanese side is planning to bear all construction costs for the new facility.
(Originally published on February 3, 2023)
On February 2, the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF), a scientific organization jointly managed by the governments of Japan and the United States and located in Hiroshima’s Minami Ward, joined with Hiroshima University, in Higashihiroshima City, to announce that the two sides had officially come to an agreement on RERF’s relocation to Hiroshima University’s Kasumi Campus, in the city’s Minami Ward. Reporting that the U.S. side is in agreement with the proposal, RERF says it will ask for their financial support for the relocation.
The announcement was made by Ohtsura Niwa, chairman of RERF, and Mitsuo Ochi, president of Hiroshima University, during an online press conference on the same day. According to the two sides, RERF submitted a written request to Hiroshima University for the relocation on January 18, receiving Hiroshima University’s approval of the request on January 26. The U.S. side was reported to be strongly in favor of the move.
Mr. Niwa emphasized, “We finally have arrived at a solution. An extensive partnership can be formed on the basis of this agreement, including access to equipment and facilities as well as involvement in education.” Mr. Ochi said, “Some data are unique to RERF. The ideal would be to conduct joint research that ultimately leads to treatments.”
The plan calls for removal of a joint industry-academia-government research facility presently located on the Kasumi Campus. RERF and Hiroshima University are planning to build a new 10-story facility measuring around 7,700 square meters in total area on that site. Hiroshima University will have access to use of the first floor. Design of the building and start of construction are scheduled for fiscal 2023, with the opening at the new location scheduled for fiscal 2025.
The total project cost will be based on an estimate of approximately 6.1 billion yen made by RERF when it considered relocating to Hiroshima City’s General Health Center, located in Naka Ward. RERF is expected to apply for a grant in fiscal 2023 from the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW). MHLW has had difficulty negotiating with the U.S. side over the share of the cost to be borne by the two governments. The Japanese side is planning to bear all construction costs for the new facility.
(Originally published on February 3, 2023)
