In April 2024, the Department of Comprehensive Oncology was newly established through the integration of the Department of Oncology and Social Medicine and the Department of Basic Radiation Medicine. I am honored to continue serving as Professor and Head of this new department.

After graduating from the Faculty of Medicine at Kyushu University in 1989, I joined the First Department of Internal Medicine under Professor Yoshiyuki Niho. I pursued clinical training as an internal medicine physician while engaging in basic research in oncology and immunology. From 1997, I conducted immunological research at Harvard University, and since returning to Kyushu University in 2001, I have been involved in cancer chemotherapy as a medical oncologist, as well as in both clinical and basic research.

In 2019, I was appointed as Professor of the Department of Oncology and Social Medicine within the Division of Social and Environmental Medicine. Since then, I have promoted education, research, and community engagement aimed at advancing cancer care.

With the launch of the Department of Comprehensive Oncology, we aim to further develop the foundations of cancer medicine, education, and research that we have built so far. We are committed to cultivating the next generation of cancer professionals and promoting both basic and translational research in oncology.

One of our key missions is to enhance comprehensive cancer education for medical students, healthcare professionals, and the general public. We aim to contribute to the advancement of cancer care while raising awareness of cancer prevention and early detection. In undergraduate medical education, we provide lectures such as “Medical Oncology” and “Genetics,” offering students opportunities to learn about molecular oncology and cancer genomic medicine, and equipping future physicians with the knowledge to contribute not only to standard therapies but also to the development of new treatment strategies.

As the lead institution in the MEXT-supported project “Training Program for Next-Generation Health professionals with Cancer Care in Kyushu”, we also support continued professional development and advanced specialization for healthcare providers, while enriching both graduate and post-graduate education. Furthermore, we will strengthen collaboration with the Kyushu University Hospital Cancer Center to promote research in cancer immunology, carcinogenesis mechanisms, and drug resistance, while also advancing public cancer awareness initiatives.

With the philosophy of “Contributing to society through the integration of education, research, and clinical practice to overcome cancer,” we will continue to work toward realizing better cancer care in close cooperation with multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, and the wider community.

We sincerely appreciate your continued guidance and support.