It is our distinct honor and pleasure to submit the United States-Japan Cooperative Cancer Research Program Progress Report 1976-1977 to the Director of the National Cancer Institute and the President of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. The first report covered the years 1974-1975. Together, these reports present the significant progress that has been made since the initial agreement was signed on May 14, 1974, and brings us into the fifth and final year of the initial agreement.
The purposes of the initial agreement were threefold: (1) sponsoring of scientific seminars to exchange information, (2) support of scientist exchange, and (3) exchange of materials and information to facilitate research of common interest. We believe these purposes are more valid now than when they were conceived. They are all directed toward communication among scientists of different cultural backgrounds and wide geographic separation. Yet they share a common bond in their fight against a dread disease shared by both countries. It is ironic that as the world “grows smaller” communication seems to be more difficult. However, communication is the heart of common problem solving among people of a single country, let alone two or more countries.
We believe great progress has been made during the past two years of the U.S.-Japan Joint Agreement in Cancer Research. Although the numbers of seminars, meetings, scientific workshops, scientist exchange, and material exchange speak well for the progress of the Program, they do not tell the whole story. What is not adequately conveyed in the numbers, or in the scientific progress, is the deep feeling of mutual respect among individuals from both countries that has evolved during the past four years. In sharing science, we also shared cultures and individual feelings. We made lasting friendships. In so doing we not only contributed to science but, we believe, we are also contributing to world peace. A world free of cancer should also be a world at peace.
Entering into the last year of the initial formal agreement provides us with four years upon which to reflect and learn in anticipation of a renewed agreement. We should strive to make future years even more productive. The next year will provide an opportunity to strengthen our combined efforts based on changing emphasis in the field of cancer research. Emphasis has shifted toward epidemiology and prevention, chemicals and their contribution to environmental carcinogenesis, nutrition and its role in cancer prevention, and combined modality treatment for some of the more common types of cancers afflicting all peoples. This change in emphasis reflects the fact that the ultimate control of cancer lies either in its reduced incidence through prevention or in its reduced mortality through effective treatment. In the coming years, some streamlining of our current program areas may be desirable. This does not imply necessarily less emphasis in any area but rather a heightened emphasis in some areas. At certain critical points in time, change is healthy. It reflects progress. We must strive to maintain our strengths of the past while at the same time improving our ability to have an even more productive program for the future.
We would like to give special recognition to Dr. Frank J. Rauscher, Jr., former Director, National Cancer Institute, for his involvement in the initiation and the enthusiastic support of the Program Dr. Gregory T. O’Conor, Director, Division of Cancer Cause and Prevention, National Cancer Institute (NCI), was instrumental in initiating this Program. We gratefully express our appreciation to Dr. O’Conor for the interest and moral support he has provided during his tenure as the Associate Director for International Affairs, NCI.
We gratefully acknowledge Mr. Genkichi Hara for his enthusiastic support of the Program during his tenure as Head of the Science Department, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.
Since 1974 Dr. Arthur C. Upton has played an important role in the Program as the U.S. Program Coordinator for Chemical Carcinogenesis. We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Dr. Upton upon his appointment as the Director of the National Cancer Institute, and express our deep appreciation for his continuing support.
We especially wish to acknowledge the diligent work of the following members of the Drafting Subcommittee who compiled this report: Dr. Yoji Ikawa, Dr. Takeshi Hirayama, Mrs. Yuko Kitamura Furukawa, Dr. Chester J. Herman, Dr. Glenn E. Sheline, and Dr. Robert R. Omata.
We are also very grateful for the special efforts of Mrs. Yuko Kitamura Furukawa, who relinquished her duties under the Program in April 1978, and the endeavors of Dr. Robert R. Omata.
Guy R. Newell, M.D.
Haruo Sugano, M.D.
Co-Chairmen, U.S.-Japan
Cooperative Cancer Research
Agreement
